1961-1964 Eldorado Convertible HARDTOP - who has one?

[Eldorado James]

The Cadillac Eldorado / DeVille / Series 62 convertible.....hardtop.  Yes...there was such a beast.  Apparently taking cues from the Corvette hardtops, a company called "Riviera" produced a small batch of fiberglass hardtops that fit on the GM full sized convertibles.  So instead of having your canvas top showing, you could pop-on (only 80 lbs) this formal-looking vinyl covered hardtop, lock it down, and go.  Interestingly enough, it has (my opinion) the feel of a 1959-64 Model 75 Limousine look to it, especially with the rear window size being smaller.  Very formal and crisp roofline.  Riviera was based in Salt Lake City, Utah....with the items (?) being made in Iowa.

I cannot find much information about these, let alone any pictures of them in use.   Does anybody have one and is willing to share pictures?  Or perhaps have any more info related to them?  They were sold as an accessory via the GM/Cadillac dealerships at the time.

I have one available in formal black...vinyl roof, in excellent shape considering that it's 56 years old.  Been stored for ages, well maintained.  Message me if you have an interest.

Regards,

EJ

[Eldorado James]

Found a few more pics and info.......   I'm liking to formalness on the Eldorado with the Sabre wheels (I think black vinyl would be a better choice for that car though)....   Thoughts?

EJ

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

I once had a 1947 Cadillac "hardtop" on a parts car. Unfortunately, it weighed way more than 80 lbs. and was badly rusted when I got it. Looked quite decent, though.

[D.Smith]

They were sold under the LeMans name too.   One of them pops up on Ebay every other year or so.

[Eldorado James]

Great info Dave, thank you.  Do you think Riviera and LeMans were the same company selling the same product....or different companies selling the same product?  I notice the emblem on the side is different and not in the same location, but otherwise (externally) they look identical.  Pic attached of the Riviera label.

EJ

[wrench]

I don’t think that lady with the poodle is helping lift that thing very much.

Interesting item.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder but to my eyes those roofs look awful on Cadillacs of this era. Would probably look at home on Lincolns but completely out of place on the light sleek body design of the 61-64 Cadillacs. Makes the car look like it's wearing a stovepipe hat. Blugh.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

As I said the last "go-around", to be a "Cadillac approved" accessory, it'd have to fit LOTS better across the trunk. What kept it from leaking? (Both the black and the red cars show this gap between the top and the trunk upper sill.)

[Scot Minesinger]

Agree with Eric, not good looking.  Why would anyone use that when a power convertible top was standard?

[Big Fins]

I wanted to reply to the very first post when I saw it. But I was taught that if you can't say something nice...

Look at that absolutely gorgeous 1959 Limousine.    There is nothing else like it that elegantly states that you have arrived.

[Davidrubin]

Sitting in the back lot of Cadillac Parts and Restoration (CPR for your car) in Poughkeepsie, NY.   At least is was this past May.

[Brown.Bob.Joe@gmail.com]

Hello David,
I apologize for two emails.
I’m just learning the site. 
New here
Thank you
Bobby Brown
8054693531 mobile

[76eldo]

They are for winter use. Back when a 64 Cadillac convertible was a new car these were driven year round. A hardtop gives better sealing and temperature protection I. The winter.
Back in the teens and 20’s some wealthy folks had chauffeurs and custom bodied cars.
In the fall one of the chauffeurs jobs was to remove the summer open body and install the winter closed body.  Makes you wonder why they didn’t just have two cars but these body changes did occur. 

On my Allante, which I purchased last March, it came with a factory hardtop installed on it. The car was whisper quiet to drive with the hardtop on it. Personally I’ll always leave it off if the car and stored but once again when these were new they were driven year round and the hardtop on the car during the winter months is nice.

So if you have a 63-64 Cadillac convertible this would be a novel accessory to have if you have adequate storage space.

[rwchatham CLC 21892]

Would make a nice display piece more than actually usable . Looks like they lack good sealing capabilities and can you imagine the paint damage that can occur with the weight of this thing . Would look cool hanging in a building to display though .

[76eldo]

A novelty item item for sure.
I regularly drove a 1970 DeVille convertible as my only car all year round in Philly winters in the late 70’s. Then I moved up to a 76 Eldo convert.  None of these cars leaked in rain and snow.  Had a 68 Skylark convertible too as a daily driver in the 80’s. A few Caddy’s too. I always have kept new or nearly new tips on my cars.
In 1990 I bought an 85 Eldo Biarritz Convertible and the side rails of the top used to fill up with water and drip in. If I made a left turn I got a lap full of water.
I ended up filling up empty spaces with black silicone caulk and that stoped the water.

Would have been cool if ASC turned the cut off tops into hardtops.

[Lexi]

Some more pics. Clay/Lexi