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  This term came from the fact that this particular model was fashioned to be a Hardtop convertible. In other words it was a convertible - but with a Hard Top. Convertibles had no complete "B" pillar. With the top up the Hardtop convertible was a close look alike. In many cases the first Hardtop convertibles used the heavier convertible frames. Windshield pillars and trim, door glass hardware, doors and quarter panel window hardware were interchangeable with the convertible models. Same for additional body reinforcements. So the Hardtop convertible had much in common with the true convertible. 
  It was thought there would be a market for a sporty looking car that appeared to be a convertible but actually had a metal roof eliminating some problems prone to convertibles. 
  In the late 1940's and early 1950's there were some people who would only purchase the convertible simply because it was the most expensive model in the car line [ except for the woody station wagons ]. Quite a number of these people NEVER or hardly EVER put the top down. The prestige was in owning the convertible. When the Hardtop convertible was introduced - there was actually a model built specifically for these buyers. A convertible with all the comforts of a sedan. The Hardtop convertible soon began to outsell the convertibles as more people preferred it's sporty looks and preferred to own a car with a metal top. With this wider acceptance the name "convertible" was dropped. Body and frame engineering soon made it possible to drop use of the special convertible frame and employ a standard sedan frame. 
  So the Hardtop Convertible in it's early days was actually a HARD TOPPPED convertible. 
 
   Randy