Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ellis]

This summer I have seen more open top or convertible cars on the road than I can remember at any time in the past. The weather being as it is every one has had it's roof "down".

I had two Triumph Stags, both had hard and soft tops and in the ten years that I owned them the one and only time I drove with the top down was a November day in 1988 when this photograph was taken.

Why? To put it simply I have never felt happy in open top cars and one time a friend took me for a "burn" in his newly acquired Triumph TR6 with the top down at the end of the 1970s. And he drove it vigorously.
I didn't like the buffeting, the vortices of air around me, the noise and the smell of other cars' exhaust fumes. I felt "exposed", vulnerable even.

Do you fellow members enjoy open top motoring?
If you do please describe the pleasure and if you don't, please similarly explain.

I finish this post with an irony. In September 2012 I bought a BMW E46 M3 cabriolet. Times move on, no more struggling with closing handles, making sure the hood is not creased, just press a button and the roof raises or retracts.
Why? Because it was at a bargain price due to the birth of a second child to it's former owner.

Do you know what was the first thing that I bought for it?

Can you guess?
Yes, a hardtop.
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[victor 101]

Just had my E46 convertible written off but enjoyed it while I had it. One touch roof operation and with a wind deflector to calm the buffeting it was a pleasant experience.

[Rick]

I've liked open-top cars since I first hit the road in a Mk3 Spitfire in the late 1980s, and have owned open-toppers ever since (although not always in running condition!!).

Going for a low-speed pootle in little Dodge on a warm evening can't be beaten in my book, although as I'm not a fan of baking in the sun, I do try and avoid very hot days. In fact the day before yesterday, predicting hot weather to continue with the occasional shower, I put the roof up!! But with no sidescreens in, you still get most of the experience of open-top driving but with a hint of sun/rain protection.

Erindoors had a couple of Mk1 MX5s some years ago, they were excellent fun.

I can't say that I've ever felt particularly vulnerable, but maybe that's because I stick to A and B roads, and leave motorways to the modern with its fixed roof, and almost never venture into cities or large towns.

On New Year's day this year, chilly but pleasantly bracing ...



RJ
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[roverdriver]

The first three cars that I owned were 'rag tops'. I loved the fresh air although the windscreen usually minimised the 'blow'. There were eddies of airflow for the back seat area.





On days when the temperature was over 100F, then I'd have the hood up to reduce the baking effect, but with no side curtains, plenty of air could circulate. There was also something specially enjoyable about driving when it was clear but frosty- very invigorating.

In recent times I have managed with fully roofed cars, but if I came across an affordable convertible, that would fit my current stable, I would be pleased to own it.
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Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

[mikeC]

I have nearly always run open-top cars, and if not have always had saloons with a sunshine roof; they have always been used with the roof down/open unless the rain has been exceptionally heavy! I ran a Triumph Vitesse convertible for three years, and never had the hood up - it was always parked outside, with a full tonneau. I remember one occasion when there was very light drizzle, and I was asked why I hadn't got the hood up; I pointed out that the young lady concerned was carrying a furled umbrella and wasn't proposing to open it ...
I will not have a saloon without a sunroof: the first thing I do with my present daily is to open the roof, even before I start the engine.
I just find the whole motoring experience more pleasurable; often I can hear traffic before it comes into sight, natural ventilation is preferable to artificial ventilation, I can enjoy the smell of the countryside ... Open-top motoring is bliss!
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in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on!

[peter scott]

Clearly a lot of people really like open cars and the relative prices of open v. saloon cars reflects this in spades.

My old car has a sunroof and I do like running with it open but I tend not to open it in sunny weather and needless to say I don't open it if it's raining. I can't be bothered with sun creams except when in really exposed circumstances and I always walk in the shade if I can.

Peter.
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Rick]

In the old days, the tourers were the cheap options whereas the saloons were priced higher.

This old game has an illustration of a smart vintage tourer on its box lid:



RJ
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[Penman]

Hi Peter
I'm a bit like you, why cut a hole in a perfectly waterproof roof?
Wet floppy sunhat in this weather, but longsleeves to avoid tanning, I want factor 100+ sunscreen.
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

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[Ashley]

I had a TR3A, it was a lovely old thing but you got wetter with the roof up than down and it was more difficult to steer with the side screens attached, so I always drove top down even in light rain.

Since then I’ve had an MX5 in which I had a marvelous holiday roof down with my wife before she died and now I have a Boxster and a Healey 3000, both roof down almost all the time. I really prefer an open top car, it’s just a nicer way to travel although the aircon in my Merc is exceptionally good.

About the only time I don’t like the top down is on noisy motorways like the awful M5. They’re slowly resurfacing it to reduce tyre noise, but if there’s lots of traffic the swishing noise of tyres can hurt after a time so I use ear plugs.

[MikeEdwards]

My daily driver is a convertible, and it's nice to have the option to drop the roof when it's a nice day. Obviously being fairly modern (despite now being the oldest car I've run as a daily) it has an electric hood and there's no messing around to raise or lower it. This comes in handy if I have the roof down in "marginal" conditions - many's the time I've had to pull in under a bridge or tree to get the roof up with the onset of a sudden downpour, and let me tell you, electric or not, it doesn't close quickly enough.

I must admit over the last week or so, I've left the hood up quite a lot as the air-con is more effective on the short journeys I'm doing.

One of my classics has a Britax sunroof (30" square, like the Webasto ones) and that's nice too. As close as I can get for that model as a convertible wasn't made.

[badhuis]

I love driving a convertible. If the sun shines and I need to go somewhere, I take the TR4. Summer or winter. Agree that long motorways journeys can be a bit tiresome but I never found that a reason not to use the TR. The roll up door windows were a reason to buy the TR4, much appreciated on the motorways and in winter. It had put me off buying a MGA and a TR3 in the past.

Had a few cars with sunroofs, and the current modern has one (X-type estate). But I find I never much use it, they are noisy which shatters the wonderful silentness of modern cars. Also, the cars I had before with sunroofs always had trouble with it: leaking, rust around the edges. Not worth the trouble in my opinion.


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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[alastairq]

I have always preferred, and enjoyed, open motoring, regardless of season or weather.
Whilst I have never been 'lucky' enough to be able to exercise 'choice' when it came to motorised transport, I always try to drive at least with one, or all, of the windows wide open .
I'm more of a 'fresh air' freak finding that driving in an enclosed space somewhat stultifying. The side window has to be open, for me, at the very least.

The Dellow has a hood...somewhere. What I don't have, is a complete set of hood sticks...yet another wee job to do. However, I doubt very much whether I'd be able to get in or out of the car with the hood up?

But driving the Dellow is more akin to riding a motorcycle, in respect of weather protection. If in winter [when Dellows were more likely to be 'used', as it happens]...one dresses for the occasion.
To be fair, whilst passenger & driver are well exposed....in rain, at speed, actually getting wet through, is unlikely. More likely to get a downstairs-soaking when hitting puddles...with water jets shooting up one's trouser legs. Trouble occurs when one unintentionally finds oneself stuck in a traffic jam full of moderns. For that, I have an umbrella tied to the roll bar.
In wintertime, actually getting 'cold' is also limited...the heat from the engine doing its utmost to saute one's legs.

For normal cold weather stuff, a rolled-up kagoule sits behind the seats....and for the ears, an ancient hat with ear flaps, a peak, and a good dosing of scortchguard are useful.

The peaked hat is important..as there are no sun visors on the windscreen...in summer, I always keep a tatty old pair of sunglasses in it..Tatty, so I don't have to worry about breaking them...if I spend money on sunglasses, without fail I will sit on them..

I also have a '67 Ford Mustang coupe....which I drive not quite as much as I would like...despite it having, by US standards, a reasonable fuel consumption...But it does have redeeming features when the weather is hot [like all old US Fords, it leaks like blazes in the rain]...being a notional 2 seater, both door and rear side windows can be wound right down. effectively a convertible with a roof. When in this state, both sides, most of my knowledgeable passengers [ie, those that have driven for their working lives?].....admit, the breeze is very pleasant, without feeling one is constantly in a reverse hair drier....In fact , probably more pleasant than air con? Without the drawback of being exposed to direct bright sunlight.
Seems those Americans knew a thing or two about driving in hot sunny conditions?

My daily hack is a Dai-hatsu Fourtrak...[an Indy]....which has nice sliding rear windows [for rear seat passengers], no pretensions at cosseting [always smells of wet sheep]....plus a lift-or-remove panel over the front seats. Lift, for ventilation, but the whole thing can be removed for that sunshine driving experience so desired by many.
Much more amenable to long journeys than Land Rover [and much more likely to complete that journey without requiring attention?]....

I also have a Suzuki Grand{!} Vitara, bought as a replacement, which it resoundingly failed to do so....it is a modern...made this century, even...I hate it...nowhere up front to stick a mug of coffee, for one thing! I feel cosseted by it, squeezed in on all sides....I have no interest in letting the vehicle take care of me....!!

Once, I rode motorcycles as daily drivers...never considered myself as a 'biker' in the accepted sense...never wore the 'uniform', or complied with the accepted behaviors.
Derri boots, waxed cotton troos, and an old winter jacket well greased were my usual attire. Usual daily commute [and nightly, I was a bus driver] was usually around 50 miles, mostly cross country, in all weathers, including snow.
Best add-on bit of kit I had was an Avon fairing...much patched, I hasten to add.
Not sure I'd get on with modern soft tops?

I believe all the interior of an open car should be able to withstand the extremes of weather...so nice leather, plush soft furnishings, carpets and stuff are really no good, especially if they get wet?

My favourite vehicle I would really like is probably a good old Willys Jeep? Unlikely given their prices, however.

[BigJohn]

I'm 6'5" with a 37" inside leg, walk with a stick, and a bad back, so conventional classic sports cars are not suitable for me. My daily is a 2018 Skoda Karoq without a sun roof as my pet hate is a glass roof, I have a 1974 Mk1 1360 Escort 2dr manual, and a 1992 Mk1 Golf Cabriolet automatic.
The Skoda is regarded as white goods, like a fridge.
The Escort is a hoot to drive but tiring due to induction and exhaust noise, and the short ratio manual box tires my left leg. It doesn't have a radio as one cannot be heard over 40mph.
The Golf is my first convertible in 45yrs of driving and it took me nearly 4yrs to find. It is quiet, easy to drive, relatively draught free with the roof down and a windblocker fitted, I can also hear the radio or have a conversation at 80mph. I love it although a bit new for me but the auto box was the critical factor in the purchase. I drive with the top down and an old straw hat, which stays on at motorway speeds. I am already wondering which convertible to get next!

[Bitumen Boy]

I've never yet driven a convertible car, it's an itch to be scratched! I do have concerns about wind buffeting - you'll rarely see me outdoors without a hat of some description, and I wonder if it would stay on. What I'd like to do is hire a convertible - even a modern would suffice - for a few days or a week and see how I get on. I can't see me jumping in and buying one on chance.

[Ray White]

The Dodge Brothers is great for low speed open trundling around the lanes but it has just been too hot recently for me to bother. I would need to keep the hood up but I like open top cars.



For real open top performance equal say to a Morgan roadster or Plus 8 but with creature comforts - like suspension etc. I would go for a Suffolk SS100.

Perhaps better it remain outside my pay grade...