Topless in June ?
Record breaking sunshine temperatures a couple of weeks ago in May brought out the convertibles. The owners with an older classic with a descending lid found out if the roof mechanisms still worked. This month has brought the rain, so we wait again for the next sunny day.
Convertibles have been around for over 100 years. The first production convertible was back in 1904, a Thomas Model 22 Flyer, manufactured in New York. Of course the open-air horseless carriages debuted before this commencing with the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen that was roofless, similar to the horse down carriages it was intending to replace. Technically, the definition of a convertible is a vehicle that can be driven with or without a roof in place. The roof will either be removable, or be retractable staying attached to the vehicle. Convertibles have evolved over the last century, being constructed of various materials, including textiles, metals and plastics.
These model variants sell better in warmer countries outside the UK, but buyers of drop tops on these shores want either the fun factor, feeling of freedom or just like the style and sexy image of the no fixed roof format. A sunny day in the UK normally brings the topless cars out to play and it’s then that you realise how many different marques and models of this genre exist. These configurations are much safer on the roads today due to the evolvement of active rollover protection, reinforced A pillars and windscreen frames, seat belt pre-tensioners, and head-thorax airbags.
Spiders, usually from the italian stables include the Ferrari 328 GTS/Spider, Ferrari 488 Spider, Fiat 124 Spider and Alfa Romeo Spider to name a few. These in some sense are more practical embracing improved security and rigidity, but lack the full open air feeling.
Then there are the targa tops, or semi-convertibles and Spiders. Targa’s like the Porsche 911 Targa, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 914 Targa and Pontiac Firebird Transam.
The latest vehicle sales figures show an ongoing decline in the open-air models. This is naturally due to the rise in sales of SUV’s and electric vehicles. People generally are after practicality if they have babies, kids or bikes to transport, if it is the only means of transport. Those who can afford it, may have a rag top just for the summer which only sees daylight a few months a year. Many models now offer a panoramic glass roof that is incorporated into the folding hard top. The cost of a convertible model is generally higher than a fixed roof version due to the extra costs involved with structural changes and the more complex folding mechanisms employed.
Some manufacturers will now drop the convertible model option if the demand becomes too low. One example is the BMW Z4 that has ceased production this year due to its flagging sales. Rising costs of insurance and maintenance of all vehicles has resulted in some owners selling their additional summer chariots – it’s just not cost effective to store it for many months, limiting its use on the road to when drier conditions occur. Interestingly, China is rumoured to be offering in the near future a convertible for the UK market. Will its predictably lower price point encourage growth in the convertible market here ?
Security, storage and maintenance of fabric roofs are a factor that should be considered when purchasing a soft top. With age comes possible leakage and inoperable roof mechanisms. Replacement parts and complete roofs have become cost prohibitive. The seemingly increase of the size of bird poo deposits has become a problem for fabric roofs and anyone leaving the roof down whilst parked near trees.
Has repeat custom diminished as a result of the these increasing challenges owners face? Have convertibles been bought by decisions of the heart, not the head? Is everyone in ten years time going to own a SUV only? Will the wind in your hair feeling be the story told by aging drivers who once owned a convertible? The survival of the convertible could now be down to manufacturers that continue this variant or maybe the lower cost Chinese models and the future spending habits and desires of today’s younger generation. If you have the topless option, enjoy it when you can!
