In 1960 all hardtops (as opposed to the sedans which were simply called sedans)
in all series, be they two door or four door, were called Southamptons. This
includes Customs, Crowns, and LeBarons. It also includes all years from 1956
through 1962. In 1961 and 1962, there were no sedans. 1956 did not have the
three series designations.
Paul
In a message dated 7/15/2004 9:26:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
JosephStil@xxxxxxx writes:
>So, if I am reading Bill's response correctly, one could own a 1960 (or pick a
>year) Custom, Crown, or LeBaron Southampton, as long as the car was a hardtop
>and not a sedan.
>
>Is that right?
>
>Man, this is one of those times when I wish I were older.
>
>Joe
>
>In a message dated 7/14/2004 9:16:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "Bill Watson"
><wwatson5@xxxxxxxxx> writes:
>
>>
>>The "Southampton" name was applied to Imperial hardtops from 1956 to about
>>1962. In those days virtually every manufacturer had a name for its
>>hardtops, and most everything else.from transmissions to windows. In 1951
>>Chrysler boasted about its wide wraparound "Clearbac" rear window on the
>>club coupes, sedans and Newport hardtops (or as Chrysler called them,
>>Special Club Coupes).
>>
>>
>>Bill
>>Vancouver, BC
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: <JosephStil@xxxxxxx>
>>To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 7:31 AM
>>Subject: Re: IML: Fw: Hardtop V. Sedan & Coupes
>>
>>
>>> Hello everyone:
>>>
>>> Let me muddy the waters somewhat surrounding this VERY interesting (at
>>least to me it is) discussion of coupes, hardtops, & sedans by asking the
>>following:
>>>
>>> Of those body styles, where does "Southampton" come in? Or, is/was it
>>just a trim level and not an actual body style.
>>>
>>> In doing some research on these beautiful rolling-works-of-art, I have run
>>across the Southampton "badge" on a couple of occasions. From what I have
>>read, I couldn't tell if it was a body style or a trim level. I also
>>noticed that the use of the Southampton name/badge faded (sometime in the
>>60's?).
>>>
>>> I am looking forward to the discussion.
>>>
>>> Joe
>>>
>>> In a message dated 7/13/2004 3:07:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>>RandalPark@xxxxxxx writes:
>>>
>>> >None of the Two Door Imperials from '55 (maybe even '53) on were actually
>>called Coupes until the Crown Coupe appeared in 1964.
>>> >
>>> >Paul
>>> >
>>> >In a message dated 7/13/2004 1:07:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "Hugh &
>>Therese" <hugtrees@xxxxxxxx> writes:
>>> >
>>> >>
>>> >>Joseph asked:
>>> >>
>>> >>OK. I cannot get this straight in my head (and my father-in-law who was
>>in
>>> >>the body shop business tried to explain this to me several times), how
>>can
>>> >>one tell the difference between a hardtop and a sedan?
>>> >>
>>> >>My reply:
>>> >>
>>> >>Well, lets start with what we know a sedan is. It has four doors. It has
>>> >>three pillars holding up the roof on each side. One at the windshield,
>>one
>>> >>at the rear window, and one in the middle, between the doors. The doors
>>are
>>> >>fully framed, which is to say the glass moves within the frame and their
>>is
>>> >>a seal all around it when the window is closed.
>>> >>
>>> >>A four door hardtop does not have the middle pillar. With the windows
>>open
>>> >>there is no obstruction between the windshield and rear window. The
>>doors
>>> >>are not fully framed. When closed the windows seal against the roof of
>>the
>>> >>car, the front and rear pillars and with each other in the middle.
>>> >>
>>> >>The name hardtop is confusing. It is an abbreviation of the phrase
>>'hardtop
>>> >>convertible, which is almost an oxymoron, or 'fixed hardtop
>>convertible,'
>>> >>which definitely is. The idea is to give the impression that the car is
>>a
>>> >>convertible without actually having a roof that opens and closes. In
>>some
>>> >>sports cars, they do indeed have a canvas roof for the summer and a
>>hardtop
>>> >>roof for the winter. The hardtop obviously cannot be folded away but can
>>be
>>> >>removed. No Imperial had a removable hardtop. Also, many Imperial coupes
>>> >>are really two door hardtops and not coupes at all.
>>> >>
>>> >> Hope this helps.
>>> >>
>>> >>Hugh
>>> >>58 4 door hardtop.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
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