Convertible Solaire

Convertibles were a hot luxury item during the late 70's, early 80's. Many coachwork companies (Classic Touch, Con-Tec, National Coach, etc.) got into the business of converting normal production cars that weren't offered as a convertible and making that possible. Through their craftmanship and experience, these companies crafted some beautiful and some ugly conversions.

During this time, Alan Rowland, who started Newport Coachworks in 1979, partnered with Jim Breummer to create the Solaire Corporation in Santa Ana California. Al was working with Ernest Kanzler, an automotive designer during this time, helping create the custom Kanzler Coupe. To lead mass market sales and to get their company growing, Solaire's goal was to take mass produced automobiles and convert them into dealer sold convertibles with full warranties. To start the charge, they focused on the new Honda Prelude and the Volvo 626C (plus a Subaru GL). Through their manufacturing efforts, they brought in the talented Bruce Meyers (known for the famous Meyers Manx Dune Buggy) to help design the tooling and fiberglass work. Phil Hunter lead as production manager while several other workers filled in for upholstery, trimming, welding, and body.

The combination of a entrepreneur and a businessman worked well between Alan and Jim. Interviews suggest that Alan ran the marketing/production side of Solaire, while Jim kept the business afloat. The Volvo 262C was Solaire's first car to be worked on. When word got around that the company needed help in crafting a conversion for the Volvo and Prelude, Bruce Meyers heard from his friend Ted and meant with Al to start the process. The Preludes conversion was created with taking the existing framework of the Prelude and adding structural bracing for the fiberglass inserts. All manufacturing tools were hand built by Bruce and then utilized by the workers.

Their first Prelude convertible completed was a Gold 1980 model. This was Solaires promotion car. It has been confirmed the car was shown at the Disneyland Hotel dealers show in 1980, adjacent to the Honda tent at the Marina Pool. Fun fact, there was apparently a competitor's convertible parked in the Disney parking lot, leading vistors to believe it was Solaires promo car. No notes show who's convertible this truly was.

File:Disneysolaire1.jpg File:Disneysolaire2.jpg

First generation Preludes were modified into full convertibles by several companies in both the US, Canada and Germany. The Solaire Corporation, a southern based company in Santa Ana California owned by Al Rowland & Jim Bruemmer, lead the idea for mass market sales. He brought in craftsman Bruce Meyers (Known for the famous Meyers Manx Dune Buggy) to help design the tooling and fiberglass work for production. A believed 150 US Preludes, between 1980 - 1982, were modified and sold to US Honda dealerships with full factory warranties. Dealer prices ranged from $14,000-$15,000, while the conversion itself sold around $5,000. Solaire collaborated with other companies including Classic Touch, Con-tec, Silcco, Steas Industries and National Coach. It was marketed as "Honda's 450 SL", having drawn aesthetic comparisons to the Mercedes 450SL at the time.

Solaire was started

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  Soliare Mail Flyer Insert

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  Mailer Envelope

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  Disney '80 Sales Letter