A car with a rigid metal roof instead of a convertible soft roof, or a paved surface made of asphalt or concrete.
From 'hard' + 'top,' combining Old English heard with Old Norse toppr (summit/peak). The term appeared in 1950s American automotive design to market stylish sedans that resembled convertibles but offered weather protection.
The hardtop represented a golden compromise in 1950s car design—manufacturers could make cars look like glamorous convertibles while actually keeping rain out, using clever pillar-less windows that created an illusion of open-air style.
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