Timeline

1928 Cadillac Sport Phaeton Convertible

General Motors marketing strategy was built around accommodating every level of the market. In 1928, a driver could buy a Chevrolet or step up to a Pontiac, Oldsmobile or Oakland. Later a General Motors man could graduate to a Buick, LaSalle or, ultimately, a Cadillac. With prices starting at $495 and ending with almost $6,000 no other company could offer such a range. This Cadillac 341 wows people with its Phaeton body flamboyant colors which are authentic to the car.

1937 Hudson Terraplane Convertible Coupe

“Aeroplanes” in the air, “aqua planes” in the seas, and “terra planes” on land constituted the thought process behind the name. Famous aviatrix Amelia Earhart helped introduce the first Terraplane in 1932. The Hendricks Collection 1937 Terraplane is one of few known to exist.

1938 Cadillac V-16 5 Passenger Town Sedan

Best known for the smoothness of its acceleration and its quiet ride – the style 9039 Town Sedan V-16 was produced only 3 years until the V-16 was discontinued. A multiple award winning vehicle with unique features and numerous original options such as cat eye lighters and a vanity mirror.

1947 Chrysler Town & Country Convertible 2 Door Convertible

The Town & Country is one of the most desirable “woodies” ever built. Priced $600 above the standard New Yorker ragtop, the Town & Country soon became the vehicle of choice for Hollywood stars. While the car was not very exciting mechanically, it certainly had class.

1947 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet

In March of 1946 Lincoln announced that there would be 1947 model-year cars offered. By February 1947 – they had changed their minds. The Continental returned to production with a minor facelift and slightly different trim and a larger look with a double-tiered grille. Lincoln was still at the top of the list when it came to luxury.

1950 Packard Super 8 Victoria Convertible Coupe

The post war Packard was a very good car but it was no longer the exclusive carriage of the upper class. During the Depression, Packard increased sales by producing a less expensive line and relying on its reputation for quality cars to save the company from economic failure. The most stylish model, the two-door convertible looked significantly less like a bathtub as previous Packard’s did and took on a new sleekness.

1951 Buick Roadmaster Convertible

The Roadmaster was considered Buick’s top model having made its debut in 1936. This Buick Roadmaster is a vision of exceptional restoration authenticated by Buick and is readily identifiable due in part to its four “ventiports” or “portholes”.

1953 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

In 1953, three divisions of GM celebrated their 50th anniversaries. Those celebrations included a trio of expensive and stylish limited edition convertibles. Buick had the Skylark, Oldsmobile had the Fiesta and Cadillac announced the long, low, chrome-laden Eldorado. The 1953 model Cadillac Eldorado is also the most collectible of the Eldorados.

1954 Buick Skylark Convertible

With exception of a series of Harley Earl show cars, no previous Buick had ever been as sporty or stylish. It also sported a hefty price tag with the great looks. The price was high – but the options were few. Standard equipment included the Twin-Turbine Dynaflow transmission, power steering, power brakes, power seats, and automatic radio antenna and that dramatic wrap-around windshield.

1955 Cadillac Eldorado Sport Convertible Coupe

Designer Bill Mitchell created his first monument to Harley Earl with Earl-inspired “rocketship” tailfins, three years before the rest of the Cadillac models. Unique features of this Eldorado include: a rare yet accurate color combination of Arlington Green and tan leather interior, integrated floor mats and an autotronic eye sensor for high beams headlights.

1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

The original Thunderbird was designed to be comfortable, fast and stylish. Melding luxury and performance – the Thunderbird had a high-quality steel body and V-8 power; and consistently outsold the Corvette. Replaced with the four-seat version in 1958 – the 1955-57 “little birds” became among the first postwar cars to become serious collectibles.

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

Classic, striking, transcendent… are words used to describe one of the most desirable of collectible cars – the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible. Bold colors such as Tropical Turquoise and Matador Red along with Gold accents were a few of the appearance modifications made to the 1957 body shell.

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

The initial plan in 1955 for the redesign of the 1958 Corvette was to use the Oldsmobile Golden Rocket concept car as the inspiration – but by 1956 the redesign was halted and resources funneled to other projects. The alternative was to freshen the body style of the 1956 and 1957 Corvette adding 9 inches, 200 pounds, and a host of stylish updates.