So, what's a bubble top?

I know 61 GM 2 door hardtop cars are called bubble tops, but why NOT a 59 or 60 GM 2 door hardtop?

 

I always thought just the 62 with the 61 roof was called a Bubble top.

 

59-60-61 and a few 62 gm 2 door hardtops with the big back window

chev,buick,pontiac,olds,caddy

 

Same here. The only one i've actually called a bubble top was the 62. The other's we've always just called hard top's. hmm.

 

I had a 61 impala bubble top, it has a pronounced hump compared to the 61 sedan

 

check out this link, it's a good picture of a bubbletop.
http://www.superchevy.com/features/pre1977full/0606sc_1961_chevy_impala/photo_02.html

 

I always thought it was 61/62 belairs with the curve in the top of the back glass

 

This is a bubble top

 

If you get one that's a factory 409 4speed its a zillion dollars, that's what it is.

 

No. That's a Double-bubble top!

 

Pontiac also offered that type of top.

 

Nah, that's a watermellon patch.

 

I'm pretty sure Groucho know's what one physically is. From what i gathered, he's heard of 61's being called bubble tops, but not 59 or 60's and just wondering why.

I'll explain why we've always just called the 62's bubble tops.
In 59-61, the only car without a post and two door was the one with the "bubble top", in 62 is was a belair hard top, but also not the only hard top offered as i'm sure you already know..
So, the standard hard top in 62 with the notch in the roof always seemed to be called the hard top, the other belair model with the carry over roof like the 61 was the bubble top.
This i believe is, for the most part, the same for the other GM full size line's of those years as well.
This is just what i've always understood, and made sense to me.
In essence, they are all bubble tops in comparison to the other models offered in those years i guess..
I know you didn't ask this, but i figured i'd at least explain why i said what i did up a ways.

 

that's what i said....

 

hmm. i reckon it's the rounded glass and slight pillars that makes the difference.

Pontiac was '61 only.

'61 Bonneville:

 

If you guys re-read my original post, I said GM cars. That includes Pontiac doesn't it?

 

but.... 1960 Pontiac has similar glass and pillars, so I'm not sure why that one is not known as a bubble. look forward to hearing the answer, someone will have it.

1960 Bonneville:

 

And you can't in the 60 pictured above?

I've had people say all 61 GM 2 door hardtops, with the roof they used on the 62 Belairs were bubbletops, but NOT 59-60 GM 2 door hardtops with a very similar roof and rear window. Why?

 

I had a 61 Caddy that was a bubble top.

 

The 62 hardtop had a little "crease" in the roof kinda simulating a convertible top, the bubble tops did not have the crease and flowed right into the rear window....if you want, i can post a perfect example of the two....i have a pics of both....

 

i've called all those roof lines bubbletops since they came out and not changing this late in my life...you guys call them what you want..i've got to go take some maalox.

 

We're NOT talkin 62's (with the exception of the Belair). But, that's not really the issue here. Re-read original post

 

not all 62's had that crease.some were bubble tops.we have one here at wesco chevrolet in okc.

 

So, is it your belief the 59-60's are not considered bubbletops by some for that?

 

IF you look at the glass it's self on a real bubbletop it has a curve in the top of it unlike a 59/60

 

Agreed. Prior to that they were just "hard tops".

 

I've never seen that view before to compare, but they sure are different.
I can see why some people would consider them different now and not call them all bubble tops.
Interesting...
I still just call em hard tops