Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

1953 Packard Mayfair Hardtop Convertible. I saw this listed as a members car for a club. I didn't think that Packard made a hardtop convertible. Any thoughts on this?

Yes, my first Packard was a 1952 Mayfair hardtop convertible.
Hardtops (started by Buick) were called hardtop convertibles.
My 56 400 has same designation. It was titled that way on my Pa. title. Remember this style started in 49?? I think.

In the factory documentation, and most of the brochures Packard always refered to it as the "Packard Mayfair", "Packard Mayfair Hardtop" and "Packard Convertible" when referring to the two cars separately or the "Packard Mayfair & Convertible" or the "Packard Mayfair Hardtop & Convertible" when referring to both cars.

I have never found a place where there were run together as "Packard Mayfair Hardtop Convertible" being a single vehicle. Perhaps this was a designation of "body type" by the DMV, or over for some reason like most changes in language over time it got misinterrupted or just got ran together.

So this is interesting as when I hear the term "Hardtop Convertible" I think of the Fords that had an actual folding hardtop.

I haven't seen the term with Packards but I believe GM used "hardtop convertible " for 2 dr hardtop (usually with the stainless "bows" in the headliner). Marketing blather. Sort of like "all-weather phaeton" for convertible sedan and the modern use of "roadster" for 2 place convertible coupe, the Lincoln sedan caled the "town car" , and the especially bad "four door coupe" for a sedan with a roofline that's a bit better than a shoebox.

my constellation has the stainless bows on the inside. kinda does resemble the inside of a convertible top.