Automotive writers love to throw around that word visceral. But is there anything more visceral than the open-cockpit experience of a top-down convertible?
The feel of the air going through your hair. The smell of freshly cut grass. Achoo! The pollen hitting you where it hurts.
Okay, so convertibles have their drawbacks, but what doesn’t? Isn’t this just a small price to pay? That’s what you have Clartin and Zyrtec for. (No, I don’t get kickbacks from big pharma, but you can buy our cool merch here.)
We increasingly spend our time in a bubble these days, figuratively and literally. We don those AirPods. We order our groceries and goods and have them delivered to our doorstep. And we stay inside in our climate-controlled living spaces.
To be fair, a bubble is a safe space in a chaotic world–but what fun is that? I grow tired of listening to the same old-school hip-hop tunes. I love the thrill of scoring some great, ready-to-eat produce on clearance. And, fresh air always improves my mood.
It’s so easy to fall into a death spiral of secluding yourself and falling into a deeper depression. What helps me to break free? Doing car stuff. Specifically, I’ve found convertibles to really help.
I have a ’74 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, but I recently had the opportunity to drive a Mini Cooper JCW Convertible around Savannah, Georgia. Two totally different ends of the car spectrum–I’m pretty sure you can measure the length of an old Cadillac in Minis–but they offer a similar experience despite their differences.
Photo by J.A. Ackley.
With the top up, visibility is often compromised in a convertible. But drop the top, and you often gain a bigger perspective than just a panoramic view.
You see things: “Hey, look at that cool bird and the Spanish moss.”
You hear things: “Man, the turbo sounds pretty sweet on this Mini.”
You smell things: “Those flowers are in full bloom, aren’t they? Reminds me of my time in Rochester, home of the Lilac Festival.”
You feel things: “The cool ocean breeze contrasts well with the warm rays of the sun.”
And you taste things. Just kidding–went too far–although I suppose it’s possible.
If my math’s correct–and I write for a living, so check me–that’s stirs four out of the five senses (possibly five).
However, I failed to mention the biggest benefit of owning a convertible: the conversation. No, not at the car show. No, not with the passenger. But instead with passersby.
“Hey, nice car!” someone shouts from across the street.
The driver next to me at the red light rolls down their window: “What year is that? I had a ’79.”
Driving into a parking lot, and another person comments, “Love it! How long have you had it?”
It’s not profound conversation, but the effects of a few simple words can go a long way. The passersby feel good. The driver of that convertible feels good. Everyone feels good.
So, why does the American market shun convertibles? It’s not a rainy day every day. It’s not too cold when convertibles have heat. It’s not too hot when you have a/c.
Maybe, it’s because we just need break our bubbles. We all might feel better if we did.
(Note: Just be sure to convertible responsibly and wear appropriate sun protection such as sunscreen–and maybe one of our cool hats.)
Comments
wspohn
UltraDork
4/21/25 11:11 a.m.
Want to run down to the store on a sunny day? Convertibles are great for that. Want to go on a longer and/or higher speed trip, and convertibles aren't much good unless the top is up.
Good example - I drove to an MGA meet a thousand miles away, in company with several other cars - we did it in two days. At the end of a day's drive, I was still feeling good and hopped out of the car to take a look around. I had the only coupe in the group. The other drivers were all beaten by the wind and sun and retired to their rooms for a nap to recover from the ordeal. The MGA converts also had to find a bridge to stop under so they could erect their tops when it rained but that's just an inconvenience.
I now own 5 sporty cars. They are all coupes.
I guess that the Triumph Surrey tops were a step in the righ direction, but the hard top section couldn't be stowed in the car, you got a canvas top that could be stowed when not in use. The first car I recall that actually had a hard top you could carry with you was the Porsche 914 .
In reply to wspohn :
I can see how extended exposure to the elements can quickly become less than ideal. And I wouldn't say that I've always wanted a convertible, but I certainly wouldn't say no to one.
Side note: It's a bummer how many convertibles look great with the top down, but a little silly with the top up. I guess you can't have it all. 
Yesterday was a big day out: beach, a walk and time with the top down.
The dog is still totally exhausted.
ddavidv
UltimaDork
4/22/25 7:38 a.m.
I owned Fiat 124s and 850s for years. Convertibles are fun. But...I prefer them just as weekend toys. Daily living, I vastly prefer coupes.
I think the best answer are modern convertibles. I have had Triumphs, Mustangs, and now have a 1993 Miata (which of course is always the answer). Long trip, hot daily traffic - top up and A/C on. Nice day, good temps, top down.
My Z with the T-tops removed is very close, but not quite there. I do miss the '03 Mustang GT convertible we had. The designers had the aero right on that one.....my brother and I drove from Akron to Mid-Ohio once in the pouring rain, with the top down, and until we came to a stop we never got one drop of rain on us. So, I guess the moral is....keep moving !!
I admit that I have been looking at Mustang convertibles again to add to the stable....just don't tell the wife.
MauryH
New Reader
4/22/25 1:37 p.m.
Paying the price now for youthful convertibles with skin cancer on ears. Wear a big brim hat...ball caps easier to keep on in wind...but leave ears exposed. From '51 Dodge to '55 T-bird to '56 Corvette (Corvette did have both tops) which was sold day before marriage in '62.
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