Utility sedan vs. sedan vs. hardtop vs. convertible
I had alluded to the fact that sedans (or posts) are lighter than the corresponding hardtops in spite of the fact that they have more metal showing (a vertical post in front of rear side window and a rim around window on the door). I found some actual numbers in this book, “Chevrolet, a book of numbers):
It has codes for the serial number plates and the codes stamped just about all drivetrain components (axles, engines, transmissions). It also has the weights for various models, lets look at ‘55 V8s first:
The first column of 4 digit numbers is the model, the second is the price and the third is the weight. My ‘55 candian pontiac (the model is a “Pathfinder”) is a utility sedan, its based on a Chevrolet drivetrain so the numbers should be comparable. The number right after the number of doors is the number of occupants (3, 5 or6). For the utility sedan, it’s 3. That’s because it doesn’t have a back seat (nor do the rear side windows roll down). This also makes it the lightest model at 3055 lbs with the normal sedan coming in at 3080 lbs. There’s no hardtop 150, so we have to go the a more deluxe model (210), where the 2dr hardtop is 3142 (some of that weight is other options, the 210 sedan is 3115). To get a convertible we have to go up to a Bel Air, where the weight is 3285 lbs., but again, some of that extra weight is other options. So, model contributes as follows for a sedan: 150 to 210, 35 lbs; 210 to Bel Air, 10 lbs. Body style: utility sedan to sedan, 25 lbs; sedan to hardtop, 27 to 40 lbs. and hardtop to convertible, 120 lbs. Each step doesn’t make much difference, but a convertible Bel Air weighs 230 lbs. more than a utility sedan.
Here’s the numbers for ‘68 V8 Chevelles, with much the same trend.
