Concours number 30 at Meadow Brook featured a bevy of chrome laden vintage 1959 convertibles.

Meadow Brook Hall

Summer in the city

At LotPro.com, we’re fortunate to work just a stone’s throw from Meadow Brook Hall, the 110 room, 88,000 square-foot Tudor revival style mansion, built by the widow of John F. Dodge, which is arguably one of the largest historic house museums in the United States.

Although it is currently owned by Oakland University, and therefore not subject to property taxes, you can imagine that the upkeep on such a splendid structure is, to say the least, rather steep – a recent upgrade to the structure’s HVAC system, alone, is said to have cost a cool (no pun intended) $2 million.

To help defray these expenses, the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance was established and, over the past 30 years, has raised and contributed close to $6 million towards the mansion’s preservation costs.

Impala

The Best of Detroit

In a gesture of appreciation for their support in the past, this year’s Concours d’Elegance was dedicated to the three domestic automakers that are headquartered in and around Detroit. As part of the celebration, the event showcased a number of Detroit convertibles from 1959. Here are those from General Motors:

1959 Buick Electra 225

1959 Buick Electra 225 convertible

Prior to 1959, Buick’s top two vehicle models were the Roadmaster and Limited. In 1959, as part of a modernization effort, they were renamed, respectively, the Electra and the Electra 225.

1959 Buick Electra

The 225, or “deuce and a quarter” in street parlance, was so named as the overall length of the car was 225 inches.

1959 Cadillac Eldorado

1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible

The 1959 Cadillac certainly marked the zenith of the brand's tailfin era. Originally marketed as a low-volume convertible in 1953 based on the 1952 El Dorado Golden Anniversary concept vehicle, ’59 Eldos sported flamboyant tail fins, “rocket” style taillights and chrome-plated studs in the grille.

1959 Cadillac Eldorado

Riding on a 10 foot, 10 inch wheelbase, the overall width of the '59 Caddie was nearly 7 feet and the rear overhang measured 95 inches.

1959 Chevrolet Impala

1959 Chevrolet Impala Fuel Injected convertible

Although more than 1.4 million Chevrolets were built during the 1959 model year, this particular convertible is just one of 26 full-sized Chevys (and one of only 3 known convertibles) delivered from the factory with “Ramjet Fuel Injection” – a feature prominently announced with a unique front fender script just ahead of the wheel openings.

1959 Chevrolet Impala

In 1959, two FI engines were available: one rated at 250 hp and a high-compression 290 hp version featured on this convertible. In addition to its special powerplant, this car also features another rare full-size Chevrolet option – a first-year four-speed manual transmission. Another rarity is the under-dash cigarette ash catcher that, with the flip of a lever, uses the engine’s vacuum to whisk the ashes through a tube to a collection receptacle located out of sight under the instrument panel.

1959 Oldsmobile 98

1959 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight convertible

In 1959, the series 98 was Oldsmobile’s flagship trim level. Offered in four body styles, including a 2-door convertible, it had a wheelbase of 126.3 inches and a “Rocket” V8 engine that displaced 394 cubic inches and produced 315 horsepower.

1959 Oldsmobile 98

Features that set the “98” apart from the lower-level “88” models included 98-specific emblems and trim moldings, an electric clock, power steering, power brakes and a “Jetaway” Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. This convertible also features whitewall tires mounted on steel wheels and “spinner” hubcaps.

1959 Pontiac Bonneville

1959 Pontiac Bonneville convertible

1959 was a big year for Pontiac. Not only was it the object of a dramatic re-style, but the Pontiac split grille, “Wide Track” stance and legendary 389 V8 were all introduced in 1959. To top it off, Motor Trend anointed Pontiac with its “Car of the Year” honors.

1959 Pontiac Bonneville

For 1959, Pontiac’s lineup consisted of three series: the entry-level Catalina, the mid-priced Star Chief and the top-of-the-line Bonneville, of which this convertible is an example.

1959 Pontiac Bonneville

Options on the car include tri-power carburetion (3 two-barrel carburetors “three deuces”), power steering, power brakes, “Wonderbar” signal-seeking radio and a four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission. 382,940 Pontiacs were produced in 1959 and, of these, 11,426 were Bonneville convertibles.