  We present a parametrization of $T^3$ and $S^1\times S^2$ Gowdy cosmological
models which allows us to study both types of topologies simultaneously. We
show that there exists a coordinate system in which the general solution of the
linear polarized special case (with both topologies) has exactly the same
functional dependence. This unified parametrization is used to investigate the
existence of Cauchy horizons at the cosmological singularities, leading to a
violation of the strong cosmic censorship conjecture. Our results indicate that
the only acausal spacetimes are described by the Kantowski-Sachs and the
Kerr-Gowdy metrics.
