With spring coming in, it’s perhaps time to take a second look at images of ragtops from the past. And like my previous gallery on the topic, these are some rather sharp-looking rides. Even the humblest model among these is an invitation to enjoy the sunlight and have some fun times.
Most of the images come from the ’50s, but a few are ’60s vintage. So, if you have suffered enough time indoors lately, take a look around this selection. One of these should prove an irresistible ticket.
Like the 3 girls on the 57 Chevy showin’ a lil slip.
I think if I mention slip to my grandaughter, she’ll look at me and ask if I fell!
That bottom car is interesting – by 1963 it was unusual to see a convertible with standard hub caps.
I think the 59 Ford is a Skyliner retractable hardtop – the 59 version of the car did a better job of disguising the plus-size bustle than the 57-58 version did.
That Cadillac up top is just lovely!
I’m betting that ’63 was a rental car. Its also interesting to see the mid 50s Ford with blackwall tires. Even on the top models, the gingerbread was still a little extra back then.
These old Kodachrome (presumably) shots really bring a bygone era to life!
The Ford may have come out of the showroom or off the lot with whitewalls and the owner cheaped out and went with blackwalls upon replacement. A lot of folks in my Midwestern childhood of that era did just that. I remember being crestfallen when my uncle did not replace the whitewalls on my aunt’s 55 Olds 88 Holiday four-door hardtop; the car lost a lot of its glamour for me.
I agree, the 59 does look like a Skyliner.
Yes, if you were a skinflint no full wheel covers but why bother with whitewalls? You would think the top of the line Impala would include such niceties …..In 1962 my Dad bought the family a Ford Country Squire , white with red interior….but alas that also featured hub caps…another 25-30 dollars was a big deal back then! Now it hardly buys a meal for two at the fast food restaurant!
The first photo of the couple with the Cadillac looks like it was taken at either the River or the Mall Entrance of the Pentagon. Even back then there as some security and I’m thinking the fellow was a high ranking Department of Defense official on a Sunday drive. Of course these days only key leadership can park at either entrance.
It does look like the River Entrance. As contractors, my co-workers and I walked to that entrance c. 1990 because our customer was below it, but I can’t remember how were able to park close by (to the left). We followed Colin Powell in once.
Agree that it’s the Pentagon. And the Cadillac appears to have an Arlington County plate topper.
Security may have not been all that tight back then, especially for well-connected people, which these folks in the Cadillac undoubtedly were. Here’s a 1960s-era photo of employees being dropped off for work right at the River Entrance, with just one Pentagon policeman directing traffic.
Third photo could be a 50s “goodfella” next to his Buick. The clothes, stance, how the cigarette is held, right out of central casting.
Forget about it.
Haha – I think, he nailed it.
’58 White Cadillac Convertible:
Looks like a ’63 Pontiac wagon in the background. And the bouffant hairdo of the redhead looks like something me older sisters would have worn in the early 60’s. Surprised the boys aren’t sporting a crew cut like I would have had at the time.
As expected convertibles are two doors. I saw this an hour ago and then while reading news elsewhere I see this on why two doors are disappearing from highways. many may not see this as I found it interesting. However, it wasn’t written by anyone here that I know of. Maybe he read CC in the past about two door cars? If link not permitted then delete: https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/20/business/two-door-car-curious-consumer/index.html
Typical drivel one finds in the media. He never distinguishes between two-door sedan and coupe. The cars he talks about are all coupes, PLC’s, to be more accurate. It’s not like the first two-door car was the ’58 Thunderbird.
i almost never read anything about cars in the non-automotive media, because they never even remotely get it right.
However, I’ll bet more will read that than CC in the end and so they will be educated so to speak. It is what it is for the crowd. Last night my 15 year old is talking about chemistry, this and that, and I said IF you really want to know a field of Chemistry then you need to read Morrison & Boyd. I just so have a copy.
These convertibles came largely before my time, but in these pictures, I find the Fords to be more attractive than the GM cars. That’s a little surprising, given GM’s styling leadership under Harley Earl (until being usurped by Exner’s Chrysler designs) but the more conservative looks characterizing the Fords have aged better, in my opinion. Of course, what I’d really prefer are certain Mopar models, such as a 1955 Plymouth, a 1957 or ‘58 Chrysler or DeSoto, or a 1963 Plymouth Belvedere convertible!
I too noticed the presence of the guy and his Buick .
So many great pictures here .
Nate
Surprisingly for Florida, the buildings in Picture #5 (maroon Buick Super) are still standing. Here’s the current view (though from a different angle due to landscaping obstructing the original view). The shopping center is still there, and original, and the white structure in the background of the vintage shot is now turquoise.
Location is North Redington Beach near St. Petersburg.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YV96rwhg2NWhGiMPA
Terrific photo restoration. Love the paint colour, on the lead Caddy.
The rich COLOR of that beautiful old Caddy in the opening shot sure enhanced the rich look of the car! Very, very nice!! 🙂 DFO
Wowza! Great Pic’s! Keep them coming.
The 3 ladies on the Chevy are great. What happened to the hubcaps? There’s got to be a story there.
Also, the initial pic of the couple and the Cadillac in front of the Pentagon is terrific. I love her outfit…great pants.
That first Cadillac just exudes confidence.
‘63 Chevy convertible:
The mountains, housing, and vegetation in the background doesn’t look like North American. Maybe Hawaii or Central America??
Also, the front fender is a shade different than the rest of the car.
I agree – looks like Hawaii to me, and though it’s hard to make out, the license plate looks plausibly like a 1960s Hawaii plate too.
Like (Re)Tiredoldmechanic noted above, it could well be a rental car as well.
The fender skirts on the 55 Olds shows just how good GM stylists were. It’s a skirt that doesn’t look like a skirt until you see the seams and the wheel opening mimics the side trim.
Beautiful colour on the Cadillac. The Buick convertible further down seems to be the same colour, or very close to it.
These cars look so rich – in colour, sophistication, and detail – compared to the others. The Sloan ladder on full display.
Grandpa and me, 1963. In back of their diner & home I posted about in the diner thread.
Last photo “Let Hertz put you in the driver’s seat!
And the most valuable of all undoubtedly 59 impala rag
250k+ right now
All great shots, but my favorite is the stylish lady next to the burgundy Buick.
Love the hood vents and the bombsight HO.
Loved the conv. Impala wish it was 1964 again