When Did Buick convertibles start to have a solid feel?

[Guest BJM]

At what point in automobile history did a full size convertible have a solid feel that you could not tell it was a convertible?

I have had 3 64 Buick convertibles and a 72 Centurion convertible. The 64 Electras (I owned 2 seperate ones) both were very solid with no idea that you were in a car with the top chopped off. The other two were OK but had some shake.

I would imagine that a convertible from the 30's and 40's were looser but i have no 1st hand experience.

[The Old Guy]

The only obvious thing in my 40 Super is the fact that you have considerable wind noise. The car itself handles and drives just like a coupe.

[Reatta Man]

In the 50's and 60's, various GM divisions went back and forth between an X-frame and a ladder frame. I think as they improved the ladder frame on convertibles, it became the better frame. On many models, they would go from a C-channel frame to a full channel in some or all of the frame by welding in extra steel to fully enclose the frame rails. This would make the early '60's full-sized GM convertibles some of the better driving cars, IMHO.

I also remember reading in Collectible Automobile about a Buick designer who would go out to a GM test track and drive test mules that were frame and running chassis only. On one trip, he drove a proposed frame for what I think became the full-sized '65 Buicks. He said the frame was too thin, and to bump up the thickness (gauge) one size. He went back when they told him it was a thicker version, he drove it, and said it wasn't. The engineers measured it, and sure enough, it WAS the same gauge as the previous test car!

Personally, I like the way my '65 Wildcat convertible drives, but it wouldn't think of it as a sports car or road rallye car in any way.

The three 80's Riv convertibles had quite a bit of flex in them, but when you had the top down and the tunes up, who cared? One time, I had my '83 up on a center-section lift with the doors open. When I tried to close the doors, they wouldn't close because it sagged so much.

Joe

[old-tank]

My 55 Century convertible is as stable or more stable than my 55 4dr hardtops. The center "X" is thicker gauge than the closed cars and the body is attached to the frame both on the frame lateral extensions (like the closed cars)but also on the frame rails. There are also more mount points and the mounts are harder material.

I read an article on the Mexican road race and the Buicks that raced were sedans attached to a convertible frame like a convertible.

Willie

[Guest Skyking]

Quite suprisingly, my 66 Skylark convertible was a much quietier car than my 62 Invicta is. When I had the top up on the Skylark, you never knew it was a convertible. The difference being between the two, the Skylark was a one-owner car and was taken very good care of. There wasn't a rattle to be found anywhere in that car.

[BNTZ57RDMASTER]

I just purchasedc a 57 Roadmaster conv that is all original and solid and has only 62,000 miles on it. It doesnt run at the present time,But can someone tell me how exactly to actually start the car and where is the control for the conv top?.

Thanks

[JohnD1956]

Not to hijack this thread, but in order to assist, I would advise that in this year Buick, you turn the key to the "on " position and then step on the gas pedal. The ignition switch has three positions only, "Lock", "On", and "Off".

Lock is so when the key is removed, the switch cannot be turned. "n "is the running position. "Off" kills the engine, but allows you to turn the ignition switch without the key in it.

As with other carburated cars, you would pump the gas pedal to set the automatic choke, then turn the key to "on", then step on the gas pedal easy till it starts to crank the engine. This is all presuming that no one has messed around with the factory stuff. In some of these cars you will find a separate aftermarket button attached to the underside of the dash as people bypassed the gas pedal starter switch when they malfunctioned, not realizing that they are simple and not difficult to refurbish. If your starter does not engage with the key "On", a known good battery, and stepping on the gas, I'd start looking for an aftermarket switch.

Good Luck

John D

[imported_buick5563]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My 55 Century convertible is as stable or more stable than my 55 4dr hardtops.

Willie </div></div>

I can say that I agree with Old Tank's assessment of the 55 convertible stability. This is the earliest convertible I have ever driven. After going to a judged car show this past Saturday and finally going head to head with my 55 Special (and coming in second), he let me drive with the top down as a consolation prize. On a two lane back road he pulled over to let me pass (he was driving my car (p.s. kinda fast around corners<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)) I had to let off the gas, not because of the cars stability, but because of the bias ply tires. I believe I was going about 85 MPH. Very solid. Very smooth. I know my 63 convertible is very solid and stable feeling at higher speeds also. So...Thanks Willie for the thrill.

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Mike

[Pontiac59]

Seeing a '53 Skylark frame with the huge X and about 6 body mounts per side, at least 4 along the interior space, I can't believe those have a ton of flex in them. I guess the proof will be in what happens when I have it rolled back on it's top.