WQ59B Posted May 27, 2002 Share Posted May 27, 2002 In 1995 I took note (& a pic) of a '59 Olds 4-dr hardtop with REAR fold-down sun visors (just like the fronts). I was amazed to see something 'new' to me, having never seen rear visors on any other car. I assumed at the time it was a owner modification.<P>Tonight paging thru the current Old Car Auto Trader, I noticed an ad for a '59 98 2-dr hardtop with REAR VISORS!<P>Can anyone verify if this was a factory item? Was it a '59 or '59-60 only option? What gives here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WQ59B Posted May 27, 2002 Author Share Posted May 27, 2002 If you go to traderonline.com and search for 1959 Olds, you'll find the car I'm talking about. Here's a direct link to the rear visors pic- hope it works:<BR> <A HREF="http://images.traderonline.com/img/10/dealer/1695679/2086715_4.jpg" TARGET=_blank>http://images.traderonline.com/img/10/dealer/1695679/2086715_4.jpg</A> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted May 27, 2002 Share Posted May 27, 2002 I have heard of this for years, but have never actually seen a photo until clicking on the link you provided. I believe that this was an Oldsmobile exclusive, and I've heard of it only in reference to the '59 -- not sure about the '60. I am also uncertain whether this was a standard item or an option. I had long thought that this was offered only on the 2-door hardtop models, since the rear glass extended above the heads of rear seat passengers. You indicate, however, that you had also seen this on the four-door hardtop. <P>Your comments prompt some recollection that Buick offered some sort of accessory sun shield for the upper portion of the rear window on the '59 2-door hardtops. I will check my literature to see what I can turn up.<p>[ 05-27-2002: Message edited by: Centurion ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WQ59B Posted May 27, 2002 Author Share Posted May 27, 2002 Oops- I just dug out my pic of the '59 I took at Carlisle in '95- it's a white-over-green 98 2-dr hardtop- not a 4-dr. Apprently it's a '98-thing'?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted May 28, 2002 Share Posted May 28, 2002 The only thing I can find in my 1960 sales folder and chassis manual is they used a heat resistant backlight on all series SceniCoupe hardtops. It had a reflective tinted band at top of the glass since rear seat passengers' necks were right under it. This reflective tint was later used on 1966-70 Toronados.<P>But I swear I've seen it somewhere that these rear sunvisors were available on the Sixty Holiday coupes as well as the 59s.<P>With that huge wraparound back glass and roof overhang, rear visors would have made little sense for the 4d HT.<P>Here's a tidbit: opening page of the 60 sales folder blares "Radiantly styled... for the Rocketing Sixties!" Further in at the Dynamic 88 Fiesta wagon page: "Designed for the Dynamic Decade!"<P>Gawd- what happened to advertising like that?<BR>Made you want to BUY cars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WQ59B Posted May 28, 2002 Author Share Posted May 28, 2002 If I can remember (car apart too long )- I can touch the top edge of the rear glass on my '59 Invicta 2-dr hardtop from the front seat- just reaching backwards over my head. Yes- the glass extends pretty far on those '59-60 2-dr hdtps. Interesting that Chevy, Buick, Pontiac or Cadillac --which all used the exact same backlight-- didn't feel fit to also offer rear sun visors... also I've never seen a shaded backlight on the sister divisions, either. At least... not that we've seen evidence of them yet. Keep searching for some factory documentation, guys!<P>While on the subject of wierd factory sun visors, anyone seen the giant tip-down blue plexiglass shade on '58 Pontiacs (for the windshield)? It was a one-piece, full width curved piece that had a slot so it could straddle the rearview mirror's stalk. I've only seen it in a feature article on a '58 Bonne. <P>Sigh... the 'good ol' days' when the divisions operated independantly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scott mich bca # 6619 Posted May 28, 2002 Share Posted May 28, 2002 I own a 1959 Olds SS-88 Holiday Sport Sedan, the 4dr hard top model with the wrap around rear window.<P>I do agree, the sun visors would do little for the 4 dr "Flat Top Hardtop model.<P>I do have a 1959 "Models/Features/Facts" book (dealer's book), showing the rear sun visors as a factory option on the Holiday Sceni-Coupe models.<P>Scott Mich OCA 3947, BCA 6619<BR>1959 Olds SS-88 Holiday Sport Sedan<BR>1955 Buick Roadmaster Convertible # 76C<BR>1960 Corvair Model 700 De-Luxe<BR>1978 Pontiac Bonneville, Brougham<BR>1986 Buick Century<BR>and a few others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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