What's the Best Convertible of All Time?

Forbes ^ | Michael Frank

[Lamont Cranston]

I've owned two Geos like the one in the photo and loved them both. In fact, I'm looking to buy another one just like that if I can find one...

[philosofy123]

The altimate sexy convertible ever! BOSTER

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

[MichaelP]

I'm partial to the 1975 Cadillac El Dorado convertible. White with red leather interior. 25 ft long and a 500 cubic inch motor. What's not to love:)

Mike

[RightWhale]

Close. Very close. '66 Malibu, bright yellow,

[Tony in Hawaii]

[camle]

The short wheelbase takes a bit of adjusting - tends to side-to-side on the highway, but I love the quick turning radius. I'd buy it again, despite Chrysler's attitude toward customers.

[camle]

Ah yes, I owned one of those Birds. note there is no boot - the whole process was electric, the trunk opened, the top went up, folded itself, and stowed itself neatly in the trunk, then the trunk closed. Beautiful, but I still like the Jeep.

[Chi-townChief]

My favorite was one I saw when I was very young:
A '58 DeSoto Fireflight.
I saw it a few times and it always stuck with me, especially the round tail lights on the high fins.

[Palmetto]

I'll conceed that the Miata is certainly the most successful drop-top to come along in a long, long time. I think it falls a big short in the "All-time Best" ratings, though - and that may be more due to nostalgia than anything else.

Having owned one, it's nostalgic to me. :)

It really is a beautifully engineered car - outstanding, tight chassis (important in a drop-top), perfect steering, wonderful suspension, great exhaust note, and topless in 5 sec.

I only wished for about 50 more hp, but that would have been sort of like wishing your wife had breast implants - better in some ways, but not quite the same balance.

[Rebelbase]

Re: Cobra...Doh! The Miata is a fun little car.

[Palmetto]

The Boxster's a great car.

Having said that, it has to live up to higher expectations because of its first name.

I like my Porsches to be significantly quicker than Subarus.

[Palmetto]

BTW, you got a view from the front of that KR? Some folks might like to see what the front of the King looked like.... :)

[Richard Kimball]

Corvette. ANY Corvette. I had to sell my '87 and still miss it. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! I want my Vette back!!!

[archy]

Re: Cobra...Doh! The Miata is a fun little car.

Indeed. Reminds me of a couple of classics from a few years back in a sort of updated form:

[billbears]

If not the Cobra from 63-67, then a 66 GT convertible. This list contains a Saab, a Honda, and an Audi? What European wrote this? Those aren't cars!! It should be automatically disqualified if there isn't at least a V8 under the hood

[StriperSniper]

and an Audi?

While I agree there is no substitute for cubic inches, there are some exceptions that hit the nail on the head. I used to drive a '76 Datsun 280Z, that was one fun car, loved running at 85-90 MPH all day with 160,000 miles on it. Now about Audis, I have a '98 A4 Quattro, 22 years after the Datsun 2 seater was built, a 4 door sedan has almost idential performance at a reasonable price.

I do agree that when it comes to ultimate convertables it is hard to beat old American iron when you take everything into account.

[billbears]

There may be a few cars that can almost create what cubic inches do naturally, but very few. I drive a convertible myself. 95 Mustang GT with a 'few' modifications under the hood. At the rate car prices are going, I decided to do that instead of buying a new one

[tracer]

Rock Hudson??

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

This is the TVR Tuscan S from Britain. Sadly not available in the States.

Engine 4.0 Litre 6-cylinder inline alloy engine with 4 valves per cylinder and dry sump lubrication. Lightweight, tubular stainless steel exhaust manifold. Fully mapped engine management system with three way low back pressure metallic catalytic convertors and closed loop control strategy. Stainless steel/carbon fibre exhaust. Capacity 3996 cc Max power 390bhp @ 7000 rpm Max torque 310 ft.lbs @ 5250 rpm Performance 0 to 60 mph - 3.9 seconds Maximum speed - +195mph Suspension All round Independent - double wishbones and coil over gas dampers assisted by anti-roll bars. Braking Front- ventilated front disc brakes with 4 piston alloy callipers. Rear- ventilated rear disc brakes with single piston sliding callipers. Servo assisted with front/rear split dual circuits. Cable operated handbrake operating on the rear wheels.			Steering Variable speed power assisted rack and pinion steering with adjustable steering column. 350 mm leather covered steering wheel. Wheels and Tyres Front -18 inch aluminium alloy wheels 225/35 ZR18 tyres Rear - 18 inch aluminium alloy wheels 255/35 ZR18 tyres Driveline Rear wheel drive. Limited slip differential. 5 speed manual gearbox with hydraulically operated twin plate clutch. Dimensions Length overall 4235 mm Width overall (inc. mirrors) 1810 mm Height overall 1200 mm Ground clearance 102 mm Wheelbase 2361 mm Weight 1100 kg Luggage 275 Litres