Open-air driving still popular after 85 years
Put in that context, it’s tough to define — or even understand — the popularity of the American convertible in its 85-plus years on the road.
The automotive anomaly went from a curiosity in the 1930s, to a tragic James Dean snapshot of the 1950s, to near extinction in the 1970s, to resurrection in the 1980s … and everywhere in between along the way.
Demand for the convertible will never reach the levels of the 1950s and 1960s when the 19-foot Lincoln Continental led the list of “land yachts” that became standard equipment on North American roadways.
But with convertible classics such as the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette and the Ford Mustang on the 2017 product list, this topless symbol of summer and a staple of driving freedom remains strong.
“Whether it’s enjoying a lazy drive on a winding two-lane or cruising to a local drive-in,” Rex Roy wrote in a tribute story for Popular Mechanics, “Summer and convertibles go together like lemonade and ice tea.”
The evolution of the convertible has been dramatic, mainly because automakers and engineers have spent decades chasing design issues that stood in the way of convenience and security.
In the beginning, all cars were open air because they were nothing more than motorized CONVERTIBLE,