Sedan vs Hardtop

Back when I was in my teens I knew it all! Now I find the need to ask an occasional simple question like the following:

I have a 1961 Buick Electra 4 door. There are three body type designations noted on various information pages. Besides the convertible there are Sedan & Hardtop designations noted.

What are the differences between Sedan & Hardtops on this model?

Thanks for the education!

 

In the normal way I would say the hardtop has no b-pillar, the sedan has one.
But in this case I think the difference is in the shape of the top.

I know that one pic doesnt show a 61.
But it show the difference very well.
I think the blue 1960 electra shows what they called a sedan.
And the other pic of the 61 is the Hardtop.
But Im not 100% sure. o No:

 

Peter,

Both cars in your attachments are hardtops sedans.

Click here :Comp:

 

Erik, I know.
Both have no B-pillar. So I would call them both "hardtop".
But the 60 shows not the standard top shape.

 

The question was what the difference is between a hardtop sedan and a sedan.
Both cars you posted are hardtop sedans, so I don't really understand what you're saying here.

Anyway, show us what you think should be the "standard top shape" for that model year :TU:

 

Thats what I would call "standard"
It also has a B-Pillar. So that should be a sedan, or not?

 

You are trying to confuse your way out now......:bla:

Never mind, as long as Rick now understands the difference between a sedan and a hardtop sedan :TU: !!

 

Erik, I just posted what I think.
The only thing you said ist that both cars in my post are sedan hardtops.
So you want to tell me that you don´t see a difference between their rear windows ??
The car in my last post is a 6 window style. The other one has a huge wrap around rear window. Both cars are the same?
Looks like you are the only one here who knows about it.
So maybe you can post some pics to explain how you call each of them.

 

STOP!STOP!STOP! Both of you, before we get everyone confused.

Here we go:

The First Black car is a 4739- Electra 4-dr Hardtop(4-window style)
The Red one is a 4719- Electra sedan, notice the post!
The second black car is a 4829- Electra 225 4-dr Riviera(6-window style, but no post)

To avoid confusion, please refrain from using the phrase "hardtop sedan" because that is an oxymoron, they're opposites.

 

The big three introduced the style as "Hardtop Convertible".
Convertible generally has no "B" post & is wide open with the windows down, while the top is up.
Hardtops were set-up to mimic that open-air feeling with all the windows down, as the convertible. Biggest difference is that it had a fixed or hard top.

 

Allow me to muddy the water some more.

I always understood the term sedan to mean a car that had a fixed roof that seated 4 or more people.
2 Door, or 4 Door. Hardtop, or with posts.

A coupe was only a 2 seater, like a 3 window business coupe for example.
Those were the original definitions.

Brougham - A sedan that has no roof over the driver's seat.
Phaeton - A sedan with a soft open sided top.

:idea2:

 

Thanks for your replies. It's not worth getting too frustrated about, but is certainly interesting how designations used by different manufacturers can sometimes confuse things.

Thanks for the posting of photographs. I thought I had seen a '61 four door model without the triangular window behind the back doors. The wrap around rear glass is sure nice on those models!

Now I am pleasantly reassured I'm not as crazy as I though (in this particular regard).

I'm sure I have the six window version. More later.

Thanks again,
Rick

 

I was under the impression that a vert was a vert, a hardtop(coupe) is a 2 door, and a sedan is a 4 door. I could be wrong, but that is how we designate them in todays automotive repair world.

 

Rick, are you familiar with the big "All Buick Open" scheduled for Saturday, June 20 in Puyallup? Your '61 Electra would be eagerly welcomed!

Let us know if you need information or details.

 

:idea2:

Yeah, your right, same thing I guess.

I think like a lot of language, the definitions have changed over the years.
I tend to agree with what Steve posted. That's the way we define them today.

What I posted are very old definitions.

:TU:

 

Hello Brian,

Yes, I've been made aware of the event and will try to divert some time before or after a family (Father's Day) event if possible for a visit.

My recently purchased Electra is still in the shop where it's been for decades covered in a fine layer of dust. Movement and cleaning will happen sometime after Father's Day. I want to photograph the gem in its current location and current dust covered condition to create some documentation and added history.

I wonder how many of these remain in a functional condition today?

Thanks for your reply!

Rick

 

Snake,

I like your avatar! Reminds me somewhat of someone I see in the mirror everyday!

Rick

 

I think this article sums it up pretty good :Smarty: :
(My scanner is still down, so excuses for the bad photos of the pages)

Click thumbnails :Comp:



And Peter:
As you can see, it doesn't matter what shape the rear window is.
The area between the A style and C style (with missing B-style or not) is what counts to make a car a hardtop or not :TU:

 

This message has been brought to you by the encyclopedia Erikana:laugh: :laugh: