Top ten Classic Car Convertibles

Remember the black and white movies of the fifties and the sixties? The hero and his lady love racing down the town in his shiny convertible. You can’t forget the scene of the wind pulling at the hero’s hair and at the lady’s scarf. The adventure and the sheer delight of being in an open car is the dream of many a youngster. The hero invariably manages to chase and vanquish the villain and the lady falls in love with the owner of the convertible. If you are a convertible fan, you will have to consider a few facts before you go in for one of these. Since a convertible is all about keeping the roof down, you will have to remember that it is best used when the weather is just right. A convertible is ideal for a sunny day and an absolute no no for a wet or a chilly day. Here are top ten classic car convertibles that you can choose from:

The cheaper versions: You are wrong if you think a convertible is only for the rich. You can try out the second hand market if the new ones are out of your reach. Here are some convertibles that are a value for money.

·        The most durable convertible is the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 1.2 TSI S. This small convertible is priced reasonably.

·        The Lotus Elise performs well and is reasonably priced while  being fuel efficient.

·        You find the space a bit of a crunch but the Audi TT Roadster 1.8 T FSI is good on the road and is value for money.

·        The BMW 3 series 320i is a popular choice with its grand looks. It is also eco friendly and bears well with the time.

·        Try out the Mazda MX-5 1.8i SE if you are looking for a cheap convertible. This car has been around for a long time and has lived up to its reputation.

Over The board Models: Not all convertibles are cheap. Here are some that are priced higher.

·        A Ferrari California is one of the most expensive of the lot and is every convertible lover’s dream.

·        A car that has an efficient engine and is value for money even after three years is the Porsche 911 Cabriolet.

·        A Jaguar XK5.0 V8 a sports version, is heavy on fuel but whereas its looks go, it is snazzy.

Top 3 classic car convertibles

It is every youngster’s dream to drive into the sunset with the love of his life sitting beside him in his convertible. The convertible has been a well loved model ever since the motor car made its entry in the early part of the twentieth century. With its roof rolled over, these cars have been known for their efficient performance and looks. Many variants of these cars have been phased out but some show up again. Some cars are timeless and continue to used by their enthusiastic owners. Are you looking for a convertible? Then you must go through some pointers while scouting for these.

What buying a convertible entails:  Buy your car carefully – after all it is the upkeep and running of the machine that you have to think about.

You might get a good deal if you look for a car when the weather is unfavourable. A classic will come cheaper if brought when the demand for it is low.

How fuel efficient is the model? Has old age taken its toll on its motor? Your car should not become a white elephant if it is too expensive to run or if it emits toxic fumes.

Remember that driving a convertible in unpredictable weather can be an unhappy situation. Make sure you can roll up the roof of your convertible when need be.

The best classics: The roads are filled with these fancy wheels but some of them stand out.

The Chevrolet Camaro showed up for the first time in 1967 and their pro touring production continued till 2002. Known as ‘pony car’, Chrevolet was highly popular and was available as a coupe or a convertible. It gave the Ford Mustang  a run for its money. You could buy the convertible in one of the two engines-  V8 or inline  six cylinder.

The Ford Mustang arrived in 1964 and sold a million cars within eighteen months of its launch. It made a dramatic entry as its launch was broadcast on three television networks in America. It gave the Camaro a tough competition.

If these two have been popular, the Chrevolet Impala has also been much sought after. Its six lamp tail lights have been a trademark for all its models since its launch in the 1950s. This car has set of record of selling 1 million cars every year since 1965. Definitely a car that you can consider!

Magazines featuring top classic convertibles

There is something about a convertible that beats all other cars. Imagine cruising along a riverside with your hair flying in the wind and the sun shining on your face. You cannot stop the crowds from turning around long after you have gone. If the Mustang and the Impala have been all time favourites the Porsche and the Ferrari have held favour with the wealthy. The models have evolved with time keeping pace with the environmental concerns, tastes and technology. The convertibles conveniently come with covers that can be put on when required, automatically or manually. Although the two seater is most popular, you can find one that can accommodate four.  Convertible lovers are known to go for more than one car.

Buying a convertible:  Do a bit of planning before you take the plunge and buy your car.

·        If you are going in for an old car, try looking around for it in winter. Your car will come cheaper when the demand for it is low. On the other hand, your car price will surge in summers as that is the time most people venture out in their roadsters.

·        Go for an engine that is fuel efficient. After all, you will be paying for the fuel for a long time.

·        If the model is old, make sure it does not emit fumes that are harmful.

·        Go through magazines to find out the models and their features for the current trends.

Magazines that inform you about convertibles: It is always useful to stay in touch with the latest trends in convertibles. You never know when you will find all that information handy.

·        Motor trend is one of the leading magazines that bring out all the information you need about a convertible. Each featured car is illustrated with the model of its engine and its efficiency and performance. You can also find out the latest about convertibles through this magazine.

·        Convertible car magazine carries the information that you can use about  new convertibles and the ones that are no longer being produced. You can search for your car from a given list and read its review. The cars are listed in alphabetical order of their names. You can also find them under different categories-hardtops, small or midsized, economical, electric or petrol. This magazine brings out the features available in the latest models.

Drive in style in your convertible

Ever dreamt of owning a convertible? And driving down the city, past houses and parks while the whole world stops to watch you go by. The convertible made its entry almost along with the motor car and has stayed on since in various forms. The roofless model has many fans as it has lived up to its romantic image. The movies did much to popularize the car as the hero dashed in their convertibles with his lady love. You can spend a bright and sunny day perfectly with a drive planned out in your car. You can call your convertible a roadster, drop top, or a cabriolet. While buying a convertible, you can choose a two seater or a four seater and a roof that can be folded automatically or manually. Have a look at some features of a convertible.

Disadvantages:  Even though a convertible is the car of your dreams there are some issues that will come up.

·        Without the roof, this car can pose some safety issues. The car will provide little safety in case of a crash. Keep your speed in check even if you are tempted to press the accelerator.

·        The open car exposes the upholstery to the changes in weather. The sun and rain will beat down heavily causing the seats of your car to look old. That should give you enough initiative to pull up the roof when not in use.

·        The floor of the car is liable to rust at a rapid rate. That gives you one more reason for you to park it with the cover on.

·        The seats of the convertible are narrow to make place for side rails.

·        If your cover is on you may have poor rear visibility due to the large roof and small window.

Special Add ons: Some added features make a difference to your driving experience.

·       It is nice to feel the wind on your face but not when you are speeding at 80. You need wind blockers to come to your aid. These wind blockers bring the noise down and stop the air from rushing on to the passengers.

·       Your convertible can come with power driven or manual windows on the side to make you feel all tucked in.

·       You can opt for a hard roof top rather than the malleable fabric one. This will give you the necessary protection.

Best classic car convertible

Jump into your snazzy red car and turn it around for a spin down town. Stop at the house down the road and pick up your favourite girl. Race down the road on to the highway, feel the wind rushing over your face and pulling back your hair. You cannot but help and laugh at the pleasure that your convertible gives you. Ever since the motor car first made its foray in the early part of the twentieth century, it has turned out to be the most popular model. Associated with speed and movies this car has a romantic feel to it. You may like the old Camaro or the Mustang. The Ferrari is always the favourite while the Porsche is the high-end model. You may consider shopping for a new convertible. The second hand models are all time favourites and can come at a good bargain if you look for them in winter.

Features in a convertible: You can have a look at the features on offer before you actually buy your car.

·        The upholstery and the flooring are vulnerable to weather conditions. It is a good idea to have a look at the roof which you can put up automatically or manually. Your roof can be made of textile or can be one of the newer hard tops.

·        The convertible has safety issues; it is better to keep your speed in check although it is nice to race through the wind.

·        The convertible comes as a two or a four seater. Although it is tempting to go for a drive in a convertible, the seats are pretty small. You find it a bit squeezed.

·        The cars have windows that can roll down manually or are powered. The older models will of course have the manual one.

·        You can be impressed with the add ons. It may have fancy metallic wheels or a step for you to jump into the car.

The Impala: Here is the car that has made waves since it first arrived on the scene.

·        The Chevolet Impala has been around for more than sixty years. It has always been the most sought after. Since 1965, 1 million cars are sold every year.

·        The vintage impalas are famous for their six lamp tail lights and have many happy owners.