The first T-top American sports car?

[AV8R]

Ran into this online regarding the first car with T-tops. Wasn't the C3 Corvette...

Just a car guy: 1948 Tasco prototype, first car with t tops... which the designer patented, and sued GM for using on the 68 Vette without licensing

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Gordon Breuhig received a free 68 Corvette from his lawsuit with GM and put a personalized license plate on it that read "MY TOP".

 

[AV8R]

Wonder what Boeing thought of their B-17 design in a car

 

[6880 Mike]

...Gordon Breuhig received a free 68 Corvette from his lawsuit with GM and put a personalized license plate on it that read "MY TOP"...

I've never heard that story and have never seen any mention of it in regards to the development of the 68 coupe. Nothing appears when I attempt to Google the name. What is your source for the patent and the lawsuit?

 

[KANE]

Wow!!! I never heard about that, AV8R.





GM used the t-top as did Datsun/Nissan and even Ford had Mustangs with removable roof panels that required a center bar. If I remember correctly, the t-top was a means to an end. The bodies of cars without them would have been less rigid and therefore they needed the structural reinforcement aspect offered by the center bar.

I don't remember GM suing Ford for using them on the Mustang or Datsun/Nissan.... then again, they very well could have sued them too for all I know.

 

[jmhorn52]

I found some info on this. It says the guy tried to sue GM by was apparently unsuccessful.

 

[Crimson Thunder]

I've never heard that story and have never seen any mention of it in regards to the development of the 68 coupe. Nothing appears when I attempt to Google the name. What is your source for the patent and the lawsuit?

I may have spelled his last name wrong. It may take me a day or two to find it in my Library.

 

[jmhorn52]

I googled 1948 Tasco Motor Co and the story was there

 

[Crimson Thunder]

I found it. It is in a Feb.1998 Corvette Fever article where David Holls is being interviewed about the 68 Corvette.Scan131630000_zps4725071e.jpg.html