Power Window, Seat, Convertible Tops, etc.

[David M. Newlin]

Curiosity as to the workings and background of vacuum, hydro-electric and straight electric assists for convertible tops, windows (side and divider), seats, locks, etc., has led me into graduate-level research and paper on the subject.

Proud owner of 1951 - 1984 Cadillacs.  Member number 25270.

For example, there is information floating on the internet about power windows on the 1942 Lincoln Custom series.  There is also information about power windows on the 1941 and 1942 Packard Senior Series - at least the 180, if not 160.  Hydro-Lectric convertible tops were standard on 1942 GM models (vacuum systems before, it appears). 

Apparently a full system (top, windows, seats) was expanded to the 1946 senior cars (Cadillac, Buick Roadmaster and Oldsmobile 98 convertibles, at least).  A straight electric divider window appears to have been standard equipment on the 1941 and later (1942-1949 pre-war style) Series 75 limousines.

Then there are the various vacuum antenna systems.....when did they go to hydro-lectric or straight electric?

Pretty certain that the power front vent windows began on the 1958 models.  Did this include the rear window vents for 1958?  1961 and forward Fleetwood Sixty Special hardtop sedans (non-limousines) had power rear vents.  Of course, 1959-1960 six window sedans had fixed rear vents (or at least if my memory serves well on our 1960 six-window Sedan de Ville).

No specific information about Chrysler products except that they had all-electric power windows in the 1951 model year, which were also adopted (along with seats and tops [?]) by GM in the 1954 model year.

Who can help?

Please feel free to contact me directly at dmnewlin@aol.com.  And thanks to those technical folks who have already replied!

[Warren Rauch]

 You ask a great many questions . I would suggest you look in some old National Service Data books. They will help you sort this out I'm sure.
     Here is part of your answer. Cadillac center windows were electric in 1941-42, then hydro-electric 46-53 ,then back to electric 54-up.
    Vacuum antenia 's were used from 39-55 (standard equipment 41-55). Electric 56-up.
    Cadillac used hydro-electric windows on some 46-53 cars ( manual was standard). And full electric  54-up (manual still standard for many years).
    Power tops on most (all?) GM were vacuum in 40-41. In 42 they used separate electric motors to power a screw  arrangment on each side. Then hydro -electric 46- up.
    For power tops Two motor electric was used by Ford 41-48 exc Sportsman, Linc-Merc 41-48, Chrysler Prod exc Ply 41-48,and Stude 47-52.In the next few years Hydro Electric or a center placed motor with cables to the sides were used by non GM makes . GM makes continued to use the Hydro electric.
  Power vents were avalible in 1958 for the first time on the main lines. In 1957 they were standard on the Brougham model only. Warren
   

[Philippe M. Ruel]

I would suggest you look in some old National Service Data books. They will help you sort this out I'm sure.

Great suggestion

From the 1950 National Service data book (therefore doesn't mention any post-1950 application) :

(1) window power regulators
"hydro-electric" : 1941 Chrysler Crown Imperial, 1941-42 Lincoln Custom, 1941-47 Packard "some models" (sic).
"hydro-lectric" : 1946-50 Cadillac, Buick, Olds ; 1942-50 Chrysler Crown Imperial ; 1946-48 Ford & Mercury  Sportsman ; 1946-50 Lincoln ; 1948-50 Hudson ; 1949-50 Mercury ; 1948-50 Packard.
No "pure electric" window lift is mentioned.

(2) Convertible top power operation
"Hydro-electric" : 1941-47 Hudson.
"Hydro-lectric" : 1946-50 all GM makes, 1946-48 Ford & Mercury Sportsman, 1949-50 all FoMoCo makes, 1948-50 Hudson, 1948-50 Packard, 1949-50 Plymouth.
Electric, GM : 1942 all GM makes.
Electric, Auto-Lite : 1941-50 all MoPar makes, 1941-48 all FoMoCo makes except Sportsman.
Electric, Studebaker : 1947-50 Studebaker Champion, Commander.
Electric, Nash Rambler : 1950 Rambler Series 5021.
Vacuum : 1939-48 Plymouth, 1940-41 all GM makes, 1940 all MoPar makes, 1940 Ford & Mercury & Lincoln Zephyr, 1941 Packard