As we’ve mentioned before, the T-top was patented back in 1951 by famed designer Gordon Buehrig, but wouldn’t see duty on a regular-production car until it appeared as standard equipment on the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette.
Mostly displaced by the sunroof (or in the case of the Corvette by a single-piece Targa roof), the T-top enjoyed a period of popularity that seemed to peak sometime around the late Seventies.
Largely a function of convenience, the T-top has been all but replaced by the sunroof, which, in modern form, no longer needs to be manually removed from the vehicle.
While we appreciate the simplicity of the sunroof, we’re forced to admit that, on the right vehicle, T-tops simply looked cool.
Below find five examples of period auto advertising featuring vehicles with T-top roofs. Ever own a T-top equipped vehicle? Tell us about it. And be sure to let us know if you suffered any leaks.
Coolest T-Tops
Corvette Fun Facts: C3 (1968-1982)
Segment in Transition: The American Compact Sedans of 1979
Hidden Headlamps: The Awkward Years
Mustang II: The Right Car at the Right Time?
The 6 Best-Looking Cars of 1980
Coolest T-Tops
