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GM Once Dreamed of Polka Dot and Houndstooth Convertible Tops

June 10, 2025 By Nadeem Muaddi

The Hog Ring - GM Once Experimented with Fashion Tops

In 1961, General Motors sought to differentiate itself from the competition by offering fashionable convertible tops in a variety of patterns, including polka dots, houndstooth and even floral print.

The idea, which was pioneered for Buick under the watch of GM design chief Bill Mitchell, never made it past the concept phase. However, the design team did manage to snap a few photos of the project before it was scrapped.

The photo shoot featured designer fabrics draped over vehicles roofs to demonstrate what the “fashion tops” would look like:

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - General Motors Fashion Convertible Top

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - General Motors Fashion Convertible Top

Six decades later, fashionable convertible tops are a reality — well, kinda.

Haartz Corporation has started weaving patterns into its soft top fabric using their jacquared weaving technology. So far they’ve used it to weave racing stripes and even a Union Jack into production convertible tops.

Meanwhile, some aftermarket top makers offer them in wild colors — like red and purple.

But we’re still waiting for polka dots and houndstooth.

Related Stories:

  • That Time Snoop Gifted Kobe Bryant a Purple Drop Top
  • It’s Time You Rock a Red Convertible Top
  • Next-Level Convertible Tops with Folded-Edge Bonding

Filed Under: Archive, Concepts & Designs, Industry History Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Buick, Car Interior, Convertible Top, General Motors, Haartz Corporation

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