Hurst Hatches Information
When people see removable roof panels, they are commonly referred to as "T-Tops". This is not the proper way to refer to the Buick's Hurst Hatches. For more information on Hurst Hatches, a brief history is available here. Hurst Hatches are immediately identified by an "H/H" logo. These are manual removable panels that were available in many cars in the GM lineup over the years. The popularity of these hatches started when General Motors decided they weren't going to make convertibles any longer in the mid-70s. (Side note: They didn't start making them again until the 80s.) That being the case, companies like Hurst wanted to keep the open-air car alive, so the solution was to have cars with removable panels modified by Hurst. Buick was not the first to receive the hatch treatment (it's said Oldsmobiles were the first), but the Century Custom Series wore the hatches well and served effectively as an open-air car solution for the time. Why were Hurst Hatches chosen instead of a powered sunroof?Powered sunroofs were available at the time the Century was made, but the pace car was outfitted with Hurst Hatches instead. The Century for 1975 was an A-body car that did not have a convertible version. For those interested, yes, Buick did have a convertible in 1975 but it was a LeSabre, one of only 6 convertible models built in the USA at the time. However being that the Century was chosen as the model for the pace car, the hatches were the next best thing to a convertible top. The majority of Indy 500 pace cars were convertibles or had some kind of open-air option. The first to break this tradition was the 1947 Nash Ambassador. From there all pace cars continued to be convertibles until 1974 when the Hurst Hatches made their appearance on an Oldsmobile. It was, oddly enough, Buick who brought back the convertible as a pace car in 1983. Since that time we have seen removable roof panels, convertibles and powered sunroofs. The consistency of convertible-only pace cars is long gone.
Do Hurst Hatches leak?Eventually, yes. All removable-panel roofs will inevitably leak over time. The reason is because the seal of the roof (when hatches are attached) will shift, twist and turn under normal driving conditions. Something as insignificant as a speed bump can flex the roof each time you go over one. When you take a semi-hard turn, this can also flex the roof. Over time, the fit becomes loose. You can keep Hurst Hatches operating normally as long as the weatherstripping and latch mechanisms are in proper working order. However, even with "perfect" condition hatches, don't be surprised if a small water leak happens if you run the car through a car wash.
Wasn't there a recall for the Hurst Hatches installed on the '75?Yes, there was a recall. Hurst offered to fix the problem at the time, but only if you physically brought the car to a Hurst shop - not a General Motors or Buick dealership. Some owners of the originals did have the work done, others didn't. The recall fixed latch issues which caused the roofs to leak and/or not stay put correctly. If you own a '75 and suspect the hatches need repair, you can have them fixed at any reputable body shop that is familiar with Hurst Hatches on General Motors cars of the 70's and early 80's.
Will removable roof panels ever make a comeback?No. Convertible and power sunroof technology has progressed to the point where removable panels would be a step backwards. Given the choice, consumers today want open-air options that are easy and fun to use. With options today like one-touch convertible tops, retractible hard tops and low-cost powered sunroofs, it would be extremely rare to see any car today outfitted with them. For example, I outfitted my 2005 GMC Canyon with a powered "visor" sunroof. The cost was $850 installed. To do a hatch-style roof would require physically cutting the door frames to convert them into "half" doors, custom cut the roof and apply the hatches. This would cost well into the thousands to do - and the end result isn't as easy as a one-touch power sunroof. One of the few cars that has made removable roof panels an option is the Chevrolet Corvette (even in 2007), however it is a single panel - not two. |
