Many look at convertibles as the ultimate in luxury driving. Having that top down as you cruise the city streets has been an appealing piece of car culture for as long as anybody can remember. Before the turn of the nineteenth century, if you were out driving in your fancy motor-powered vehicle and encountered some inclement weather, well, you either had to be pretty innovative yourself, or you needed to find a tree to park under!
Read on for an interesting look at the history of the convertible. Imagine not having the option to close the roof, and being stuck out in the rain while traveling across the dusty landscapes of pre-pavement era roads.
Not exactly luxurious, is it? Thankfully, in , Cadillac began producing closed-top vehicles. These became a massive hit amongst consumers, who were fed up with eating dust while trying to look dapper during their daily commute, while doing a swift 25 mph. Today on the blog we are going to give a little history of that convertible style we all love. The original form of automobiles of all types was open top, following the convention of most horse and buggy stylings.
The original convertible then actually referred to an option top to be added on to the car. By the 19 th century, most cars on the road had folding textile roof options. Could you image driving around without a roof year-round? In the s, steel body cars became mass-produced and available to the average consumer.
As this modification continued being built standard into vehicles, the first retractable top was then developed in Designed by a man named Ben P. The Volkswagen Beetle Convertible was introduced in honor of the beloved original model.
A multitude of convertibles were introduced to the market by manufacturers like Buick, Chrysler, Cadillac, LaSalle, Lincoln, and Whippet. Chevrolet Cavalier Ford Mustang The Cadillac Eldorado convertible with Biarritz trim was reintroduced. Convertibles may come as two-seaters or roomy four-seater models, affordable or luxury brand, hardtop or soft-top, mid-size or more powerful V8 engines, and manual or automatic.
Luxury features can be further upgraded to include GPS systems, heated seats, automated climate control, iPod dashboard interface, keyless ignition, Bluetooth, sun-reflective leather upholstery, and built-in wind deflectors. An investment in a convertible is money well spent, as both a lifestyle choice and mode of transportation. Here are 10 of the most impressive convertibles of all time for your inspiration:. What many consider to be the first manufactured convertible, the French Peugeot Eclipse offered the first retractable hardtop roof on the market.
More than half a century later, Peugeot is still going strong and manufacturing hardtop convertibles for the modern-day luxury driver. The Morris Minor was a classic car of the s that came in a number of body styles.
One of the most popular styles, the Tourer, was the trendy convertible that every stylish driver considered a must-have. Sadly, popularity waned in the decades to follow, and the last Minor Tourer was produced in Inarguably, the original Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most popular cars ever produced.
Although the convertible version was not as prevalent in the s, the adorable open-top Beetle was iconic nonetheless; convertible Beetle production lasted for approximately 30 years.
The Bel Air drop top falls within the class of Tri-Chevys, produced from to The LWB, or long wheelbase model later replaced by the short wheelbase in , is a breath-taking open top Ferrari that is guaranteed to turn heads on any stretch of open road. Enzo Ferrari outdid himself in this exclusive Ferrari design.
Picture yourself zipping through city streets with your love by your side—the Jaguar screams adventure, mystique, and sex appeal. You may recognize this Alfa Romeo from the smash-hit film The Graduate in The Duetto Spider is a classic status symbol turned pop culture icon, favored as a thrill-seeking s ride. The Saab put family fun back in Sunday driving—the Saab was the first of many Saab models marketed as more economical, family-friendly convertibles.
The Saab welcomed a new era of open-top compact luxury cars within the first generation from to , followed by the new generation from to
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