If the tops are down, it must be summertime
It’s not officially summer until next month, but it sure has felt like it on a number of days over the past few weeks here in the Lower Mainland.
One telltale sign that summer is coming is the number of convertibles cruising around our roadways. There’s nothing quite like having the car top rolled back with the wind and sun on your face as you travel around this beautiful province of ours.
One of my favourite parts of summer is seeing all of the different types of convertibles that have been manufactured, ranging from brandnew models to classics that have been well cared for by their owners through the years. While some convertibles are meant mostly for recreational use and summer driving, there are a growing number that are both fun to drive and practical yearround. Most convertibles come with two options: hard top or soft top. The hard tops have the security of a folding metal top, making them more versatile year-round.
However, as edmunds.com pointed out in a recent article, the traditional fabric tops come with multilayer insulation, which helps to protect the vehicle from the unpredictable weather we have here in B.C., while at the same time cutting down on road noise.
“Forget the days of clumsy, manually operated tops and unwieldy tonneau covers,” Edmunds’ 2015 convertible buying guide says. “Thanks to the choice between folding hardtops and tight-fitting soft tops, life with a convertible can be just as comfortable as with a coupe.”
Convertibles today are also safer, built with a fixed or pop-up roll bar and side airbags to protect the driver and passengers in the event of an accident. You may not get the same trunk space as in your coupe or minivan, but most people in the market for a convertible aren’t using it as a means to cart groceries or hockey equipment around.
Convertibles can cost a bit more than most vehicles in their class, and most are made by luxury manufacturers, but there are some relatively affordable models available on the market today.
There are a number of gorgeous and hard-to-find vintage convertibles for sale from car enthusiasts and collectors if you’re looking for something one-of-a-kind.
When I think of classic convertibles, my mind often turns to some of the great cars featured in Hollywood films such as the 1966 Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 Duetto driven in The Graduate, the 1963 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible featured in Scarface, or the 1971 Chevrolet Impala Convertible from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, to name only a few.
Whether it’s a classic model that inspires you or a more modern topdown drive, there is a convertible out there that best suits your personality and lifestyle.
If you’re interested in test-driving a few different makes and models, I recommend visiting some local dealerships and taking some out for a spin. In fact, I can’t think of a better way to spend a sunny summer day.