Coach convertible

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Coach convertibles are convertibles built by independent shops, filling a small void left by the auto industry. The coach convertible trend is most closely associated with the late 1970's and early 1980's, when the American auto industry abandoned the convertible because of low demand and pending federal crash regulations that would make the convertible seem impossible to build.

Contents

[edit] The Fall of the Factory Convertible

Sales of convertibles began to decline in the late 1960's and took a sharp downturn by the early 1970's. Chrysler Corp produced it's last convertible in 1971, Ford was done by 1973 and GM stopped nearly all convertible production by 1975.

A December, 1973 article in Road & Track magazine explains the fall of the convertible in a very data-rich and scientific manner. The article does not blame government mandates or safety concerns for making the convertible too expensive or impossible to continue to build. Rather, it suggests that buyer tastes have changed, making the convertible a less attractive option for new car buyers. Some reasons listed were:

---Better interstate highways, higher speeds and longer travel times that make wind-in-your-hair driving less appealing.

---"Hardtop" design improved, making the 2 door hardtop more stylish.

---Convertibles cost more to build and sell than a comparable hardtop.

---Hardtops are stronger and have a stiffer frame for more spirited driving.

---Air conditioning became an affordable and more common option that made comfortable windows-up driving more common.

---Longer hair on men and women became the trend and was hard to keep orderly in a convertible.

---Custom vans and pickups became a trend that many would-be convertible buyers went to.

---Fake fabric top coverings on a hardtop became a style alternative to true convertibles. In 1971, 42% of all domestic cars were sold as fabric covered hardtops.

The article showed the slow decline in sales of the convertible from the mid-sixties into the seventies, compared to the hardtops of the same model. Sales were down because few buyers decided a convertible was the right car for them.

The last American convertible to come out of the factory was the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado. It was advertised to be the end of an era, and all indications at the time seemed to corroborate that. No more convertibles would ever be built by the U.S. automotive industry, it seemed. Only a few 2-seat sporty European import convertibles remained for the American market.

[edit] The Rise of the Coach Convertible

When fewer and fewer convertibles became available to U.S. buyers (mid 1970's - mid 1980s), an aftermarket cottage industry grew for new cars to be converted into convertibles because it seemed that there were still a few buyers who wanted a new convertible. Everything from Firebirds to Celicas, Lincolns to Cutlass Cieras were modified into convertibles. Tens of thousands of cars were converted by several dozen quality shops across the country. These coach companies often marketed to new car dealerships, but they usually did not work for, or in conjunction with the car manufacturer. The new-car dealership could contract with any aftermarket company to add any option they wanted to add to a car, as long as it did not compromise the strength integrity or cause warranty problems on that car. Options like roof-racks, sunroofs, leather interior, spoilers, rustproofing and all sorts of things could be done to a new car, even though the car manufacturer had nothing to do with that product or conversion. The conversion van phenomena is a very similar process. The convertible conversion was built as a dealer option that was ordered by the new car dealership (or could be ordered privately if you already owned the car) just like rustproofing or custom pinstriping could be ordered for a car by the dealership. As far as a car manufacturer was concerned, as long as the car was converted in a way that did not negatively compromise the car to cause warranty problems, then the new car dealership could do, or have done, whatever they wanted to do. These conversions are not considered OEM or factory options. Conversions done before the final sale to the consumer, for/by the new car dealership are considered dealer options. All coach convertible conversions sold directly to the private car owner are considered "aftermarket" conversions.

[edit] The Return of the Factory Convertible

As the coach convertible cottage industry continued to grow, it became obvious to the car manufacturers that it was again time for them to produce new convertibles. For the 1982 model year, the Chrysler LeBaron, Dodge 400 and Buick Riviera convertibles were available to new car shoppers as a factory option. The Ford Mustang, Chevy Cavalier & Pontiac Sunbird followed for the 1983 model year, and the Cadillac Eldorado & Toyota Celica followed for 1984. Even though these new factory convertibles were offered by the manufacturer, they were still built as hardtops, then shipped to a coach company for modification into a convertible. The cars were then sent to dealerships by the original manufacturer. Even though the conversion process was the same, because these convertibles were provided to the dealership directly from the car manufacturer, they are considered factory original. In time, the car manufacturers were able to return the actual construction and engineering of it's convertibles back to the factory.

[edit] The Coach Convertible Lives On

Even though the car manufacturers have gotten back into the business of building convertibles, there will always be a market for specialty coach convertibles. Many convertibles have been built to fill a niche in the market. Coach convertibles like the '84-'87 Honda CRX Spyder, '83-'90 Mercedes SEC convertible and the '84-'88 McLaren ASC Capri/Mustang convertible were successful, even while competing in a market full of factory convertibles. Even today, coach builders are able to sell limited numbers of coach convertibles to customers that want something a little different.

[edit] List of Known Coach Convertibles

Below, is a complete listing of nearly all cars converted by the U.S. coach convertible industry from the mid 1970's into the 1990's. This list does not include kit car conversions or one-off conversions. All are believed to have been series runs and no ultra-extensive cars are included. (If you would like the original author to add missing car models, or if you have additional information to share, please send comments to kcdesoto1 @ hotmail.com)

[edit] Conversions of Ford Products

Lincoln Continental Coupe: AHA Manufacturing(1977), Silcco(Ultima)(1977-1979), Hess & Eisenhardt(1977)

Lincoln Continental Sedan: 4 door(Silcco)(1978-1979)

Lincoln Mark V Coupe: Emess Coach Builders(1978), Global Coach(Lucerne)(1978), American Custom Coach(St Tropez)(1977-1979), Coach Builders Ltd(1977-1978), Hess & Eisenhardt(1978)

Lincoln Mark VI Coupe: Coach Builders Ltd(1982), Carelli Autoworks(1983), American Custom Coach(StTropez)(1980)

Lincoln Mark VII Coupe: Coach Builders Ltd.(1985-1989)

Lincoln Mark VIII Coupe: Coach Builders Ltd.(1993-1994)

Ford Mustang II: Emess Coach Builders(1977-1978)

Ford Thunderbird: American Custom Coachworks(1978-1979)

Mercury Cougar: American Custom Coachworks(1978-1979), Coach Builders Ltd.(1982,1984-1986,1987), Car Craft(1985-1986)

Mercury Capri: AHA Manufacturing Lmtd(1979-1981), ASC McLaren(1984-1986, 842 built), Bivouac Industries(1981-1982), Classic Marketing Group(1980)

Ford Mustang: Coach Builders Ltd.(1982), Steas Industries(1981-1982), Bivouac Industries(1982), Convertible Specialists Inc.(1982), National Coach Engineering(1980-1982), Intermeccanica C’abrio(1980-1982), ASC McLaren(2-seat)(1987-1990, 1,806 built), Tomaso(Swift)(1979-1980), American Convertible Corp.(1980), Milan Coachbuilders(1980), Elan Convertible Ltd.(1981), Silcco(1980), Barrows Ent.(Compliment)(1981), Grandeur Motor Co(1981) (factory convertible for 1983 by Cars & Concepts)

Ford Escort/Mercury Lynx: Steas Industries(1981)

[edit] Conversions of GM Products

Cadillac Seville Milan Coachbuilders(1977-1979), Coach Design Group(San Remo)(1978-1979), Carelli(Casino)(1979, 1983), Global Coach (Innsbrook)(1980-1983), American Custom Coachworks(Paris) (1980-1982), Grandeur Motor Co(1979)

Cadillac DeVille Hess & Eisenhardt(LeCabriolet)(1978-1983), American Custom Coachworks(Paris)(1977-1979), Car Craft(1978, 1986-1991), Coach Builders Limited(1989-1991)

Cadillac Eldorado Mark Doyne Coach(1978, 1981), ASC(1978), Coach Builders Lmtd(1982), Armbruster/Stageway(1980-1983), Hess & Eisenhardt(1980-1985), Coach Design Group(San Remo)(1979-1980), Global Coach(Alpine)(1979-1981), American Custom Coachworks(Paris)(1979-1982), National Coach Engineering(1982), Chicago Coachworks(1983), Grandeur Motor Corp.(1981), Carriage Works(1981), R. Straman Company(1987-1988, 121 built), Milan Convertible Co(1985) (conversions by ASC in 1984-1985 are considered "factory convertibles")

Buick Riviera Coach Builders Ltd(1982), National Coach Engineering(1982) (conversions by ASC in 1982-1985 are considered "factory convertibles")

Oldsmobile Toronado Coach Builders Ltd(1982,1988-1990), National Coach Engineering(1982), Hess & Eisenhardt(1982-1985), ASC(1985), R. Straman Company(1987)

Pontiac Firebird (2nd Gen) National Coach Engineering(1979-1981), Steas Industries(1981), Custom Coachworks(1980), American Convertible Corp(1980), Con-Tec(1981), Elan(1981)

Chevrolet Camaro (2nd Gen) National Coach Engineering(1979-1981), Steas Industries (1981), Elan(1981)

Pontiac Firebird (3rd Gen) National Coach Engineering(1982), Steas Industries(1982), R. Straman Company(1982-1990, 608 built), Autodyne Corp(1982), Auto Form Corp.(2-seater)(1983-1986), ASC Inc(1986), Matrix3(1985), International Coach(1983-1984), Convertible Concepts(1987) (conversions by ASC in 1987 and later are considered "factory convertibles")

Chevrolet Camaro (3rd Gen) Autodyne Corp(1982), Coach Builders Ltd(1982), American Custom Coachworks(1982-1984), John Greenwood(1982-1983), Auto Form Corp.(2-seater)(1983-1987), ASC Inc.(1985-1986), Matrix3(1984-1986), International Coach(1983-1984), Coach Conversions(1983-1985), Griffith(1984), Convertible Concepts Ltd(1983) (conversions by ASC in 1987 and later are considered "factory convertibles")

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme/Calais Steas Industries(1981-1982), National Coach Engineering(1982), Classic Marketing Group(1980), Classic Group of Companies(1982), Coach Builders Ltd(1982), Viking Coach(1984), Coachman(1983)

Pontiac Grand Prix Steas Industries(1982), National Coach Engineering(1982), Classic Group of Companies(1982) Coach Builders Ltd(1982)

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Steas Industries(1981-1982), National Coach Engineering(1982), Hess & Eisenhardt(1983), Classic Group of Companies(1982), Coach Builders Ltd(1982), Car Craft(1983), ASC(1983)

Buick Regal Steas Industries(1981-1982), Convertible Specialists Inc.(1982), National Coach Engineering(1982), Classic Group of Companies(1982), Coach Builders Ltd(1982), Coach Conversions Inc.(1981)

Oldsmobile 98 Regency Hess & Eisenhardt(1980)

Buick Electra Park Avenue Hess & Eisenhardt(1980), Car Craft(1986)

Buick Skylark Coach Builders Ltd(1982), American Custom Coachworks(1981)

Oldsmobile Omega Coach Builders Ltd(1982), Curtis Coach(1981), American Custom Coachworks(1980-1981)

Pontiac Phoenix Coach Builders Ltd(1982), American Custom Coachworks(1981)

Oldsmobile Ciera Hess & Eisenhardt/Car Craft(1983-1986) 814 built

Buick Century Hess & Eisenhardt/Car Craft(1984-1986) 124 built

Chevrolet Celebrity Hess & Eisenhardt/Car Craft(1984-1986) 200 built

Pontiac 6000 Hess & Eisenhardt(1984-1985) 13 built

Chevrolet Corvette Flint Corvettes(1982), American Custom Industries(1981), Greenwood-Duntov(1981)

Chevrolet Cavalier/Sunbird/Firenza/Skyhawk Coach Builders Ltd(1982) (factory convertibles for Cavalier/Sunbird: 1983 by ASC in limited numbers, full production for 1984)

Pontiac Fiero Conversion Concepts(Carrozza, sold by Holland Pontiac)(1987, 75 built)

[edit] Conversions of Chrysler & AMC Products

Chrysler Cordoba Emess Coach Builders(1977), American Custom Coachworks(1977), Global Coach/Innsbrook Manufacturing(1980-1981)

Dodge Mirada Global Coach/Innsbrook Manufacturing(1981)

Chrysler Imperial Carelli Autoworks(1983), Global Coach(1981)

Dodge Aries-K/Plymouth Reliant-K National Coach Engineering(1981-1982), Grandeur Motor Co(1981-1982) (factory convertible for LeBaron/Dodge 400/600 for mid-1982 and later cars by Cars & Concepts)

Dodge Challenger/Plymouth Sapporo Sparlingco(1981-1982)

Dodge Omni 024/Plymouth Horizon TC3 Classic Group of Companies(1981-1982)

AMC Concord-Eagle Griffith(Sundancer)(1978-1982)

[edit] Conversions of Japanese Products

Datsun 280Z/280ZX Steas Industries(1978, 1981-1982), Belvedere Enterprises Inc(1980), Steas Ind.(1981-1982), American Custom Coachworks(1981), Giuliano Motors Ltd(1982), Global Coach(1981)

Nissan 300ZX R. Straman Company(1983-1988(352 built), 1990-1991(69 built), ZMC(1990) (factory convertible for 1993 by ASC)

Datsun 200SX Sparlingco(1981-1982), Intermeccanica(1982), American Custom Coachworks(1981-1983), Magic Marketing(Merlin)(1980)

Toyota Celica Griffith (Sunchaser)(1980-1981,1982), California Coach Co.(1981), Grandeur Motor Corp.(1980-1981), Sparlingco(1981,1983), American Custom Coachworks(1980-1981), Matrix3(1983) (factory convertible for 1984 by ASC)

Toyota Corolla Convertible Specialists Inc.(1982), Sparlingco(1982-1983), American Custom Coach(1980-1983), Matrix3(1982-1983), Griffith(1982-1983)

Honda Prelude National Coach Engineering(1982), Solaire(1981-1982), Classic Touch(1981)

Honda CRX R. Straman Company(1984-1987, 310 built)

Mazda RX-7 Pacific Avatar(1979-1983), Global Coach(1981-1983), Ultima(1981)

Mitsubishi 3000GT/Dodge Stealth R. Straman Company(1991-1992), Coach Builders Limited(1992) (factory hardtop convertible for 3000GT in 1995 & 1996 by ASC)

Mazda 626 Coupe Convertible Specialists Inc.(1982), Sunset Coach(1982)

Subaru GL Coupe Steas Industries(1981-1983), Matrix3(1983)

[edit] Conversions of European Products

Mercedes 280CE/300CE Coupe Coach Builders Ltd(1982), R. Straman Company(1984-1988, 35 built), Carelli Autoworks(1983), Graphic Auto Design(1982)

Mercedes 500SEC/560SEC Coupe R. Straman Company(1983-1990, 116 built), Coach Builders Lmtd.(1985-1986), Coffman Coachworks(1986)

Mercedes 380 SEL 4door Carelli Autoworks(1983)

Porsche 924 Carelli Autoworks(1983)

Porsche 928 Carelli Autoworks(1980)

BMW 3-Series Bradford Coachworks(Coach Builders Ltd.)(1982-1983)

Volkswagen New Beetle R. Straman Company(1998), Newport Convertible Engineering(1999)

Jaguar XJ-S All are factory convertibles. They were first built by H&E from 1987-1988 and later models are Jaguar built.

Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Convertible Silcco(1980)

[edit] References

[edit] External links