It's the time of year again when convertible lovers take to the road to enjoy open air motoring and the feeling of swashbuckling adventure. Whether whizzing along the highway or ambling down a country road, summer brings back the fun of alfresco motoring.
In the beginning all cars were open, derived from carriages and
buggies. But as cars became more reliable and were used year
round, motorists sought better weather protection. By 1925 more
closed cars were being sold than open ones.
But although they shrank to a small part of the market,
convertibles were still the glamour wagons of the automotive
world.
Their allure and romance never died.
Following the unhappy 1930s, and the deprivation of the Second
World War, people were ready to celebrate the good times and
optimism of the 1950s and '60s.
Convertibles flourished. Who can forget those beautiful
1955-'56-'57 Chevy convertibles, so popular then and still
sought after today. Or low two-seater Thunderbirds, early
Corvettes and little English sports cars. Or the huge,
tailfinned, chrome-laden 1959 Cadillac Eldorado convertible
that wags called the epitome of Wretched Excess, but is now one
of the most popular collectibles.
Or those sporty little 1960s Mustangs.
But then the 1970s brought oil crises, emission controls and
fuel economy concerns. Motoring fun died, and the convertible
with it.
The 1976 Cadillac Eldorado was called "The Last Convertible in
America."
Better times brought them back, led by the 1982 Chrysler
LeBaron convertible, followed by Buick, Ford and Chevrolet.
Convertibles are now flourishing, and better than ever, some
with metal retractible power roofs like the Pontiac G6 that
offer alfresco motoring as well as snug closed car comfort.
It's once more a golden age for the open car.  From the
little Pontiac Solstice, Mazda MX5 and Saturn Sky in the
$25,000 - $30,000 range, to heady Mercedes-Benzes, Cadillacs
and Lexuses that can reach $100,000 or more, there is a
stunning variety of convertibles. With General Motors offering
six, BMW four, and Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler three each, the
variety has never been wider.
And the retractible hardtop that combines closed car comfort
and open car pleasure, once the preserve of expensive luxury
cars, is now available for under $35,000 in the Pontiac G6.
Motorists can enjoy the summer sun and still be snug in
winter.
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