The best convertible cars: photos, brands and prices

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Cabriolet, a kind of passenger car, is distinguished by the lack of a roof and a low seating position. At the dawn of the automotive industry, at the end of the 19th century, cars had only a chassis and, in fact, all produced cars could be classified as a convertible family. With the advent of the body, the picture changed, the open car was no longer considered worthy of attention and was considered as a substandard mechanical vehicle.

Car without a roof

However, even before the start of World War II, open convertible cars began to enter the automotive market (photos are presented in the article), these were models that no one considered inferior. Fashion sometimes extends to cars. And thus, a convertible, a car without a roof, began to be considered a symbol of we alth and success. The fashion for open limousines, spiders and roadsters has not passed to this day. Convertible cars have firmly occupied their niche in the global automotive market, their production is constantly growing, and every major car manufacturer considers it his duty to release within a yearseveral models with retractable roof.

Roof for rain only

Convertible cars in their purest form are cars made on the basis of a mass-produced model, sedan or coupe. It is technologically easy to remove the roof and develop a module that will, if necessary, cover the car in bad weather and reopen it as soon as the rain stops. Many motorists were tempted by the opportunity to ride with the breeze in an open car, to feel unity with nature. In the 30s of the last century, the popularity of the convertible grew markedly, open-top cars quickly sold out. Many firms began to take orders for the manufacture of exclusive models.

American games

Demand for convertible cars in Europe was high, but it was nowhere near the demand for these cars in the US. If a European got into an open car and went to nature to admire the scenery, then Americans, especially the younger generation, had fun with the help of a car. Up to twenty friends and girlfriends could be accommodated in a six-seater open limousine. Dodge brand convertibles were best suited for this purpose, due to the width of the hull. Convertible riding has become almost a national American game. However, in the sixties, convertibles in the United States noticeably decreased, as almost all manufacturers switched to the production of cars with a monocoque body. In order to increase the rigidity of the structure, six racks were introduced around the perimeter and the racks were tied with a roof.

Just in that period, the fashion for racing inconvertibles with loading "to the eyeballs" passed, the youth calmed down, and open limousines smoothly moved into the category of family cars. In addition, one fashion is usually replaced by another, in the United States a boom in road and car safety has begun. And since the convertible looks far from safe, demand has fallen.

Modifications

However, a community of fans of open cars has already formed among motorists, both European and American, and the production of convertibles has continued. Its modifications appeared, "Roadster" and "Targa". A classic convertible is an ordinary passenger car without a roof. The "Roadster" had its own characteristics, the car was produced on the basis of a two-door coupe and in a two-seater version. The roof made of plastic material was retracted into a special niche in the luggage compartment. "Roadster" is fully positioned in the automotive market, the demand for the car is steadily increasing. The impressive speed performance of the two-seat sports car is undeniable.

Third seat

In the late 30s of the last century, the name "Roadster" meant an open car of a slightly different order. It was considered not a modification of the convertible, but a completely independent model. One of its distinguishing features was an additional, third seat, usually folding, but in some cases stationary. It was an uncomfortable, hard seat, and it was intended for"random" passengers. There was no great sense in this seat, but it somehow took root and became widely used. It was because of the third seat that the Roadster could not be considered a sports car for a long time, since the integrity of the mission was violated, and the balance of the car left much to be desired.

In the US, a three-seater convertible called "Roadster" came to court, Americans love all sorts of auxiliary devices: either a folding seat will be adapted, or some plywood box will be installed in the middle of the cabin. Practicality first, aesthetics and comfort second.

Craftsmen and Roadsters

In 1951, the so-called hot rods appeared in America, craftsmen who tried to make a high-speed racing car out of an ordinary car. And it was the "Roadsters" that were chosen for such experiments. If the car fell into the hands of a craftsman, all plumage was removed from it, the engine was boosted and, most importantly, the rear wheels were installed with a huge diameter in order to make the most of the engine power. It was a kind of fanaticism, since the calculated parameters of the "Roadster" could not be changed radically, the engine simply burned out from exorbitant loads. But the masters of alterations continued to bend their line until they finally destroyed the car. It is characteristic that only "Roadsters" got into the role of the future champion because of their cheapness. So, innocent open double cars suffered.

"Roadster" at one time was called American racing track cars. The wheels of the car were open, much like today's Formula 1 car, the engine could be anywhere, even to the right of the driver. Usually these cars were raced on oval tracks.

Season and price

Another modification of the convertible, the Targa model, like the Roadster, was a two-door with one seat for the driver and passenger. But the car differed from its counterpart in that the removable roof was rigid like a cap and retracted entirely into the trunk.

Both the convertible and its modifications give the owner a sense of freedom, emancipation. Fresh clean air, spaciousness and speed of movement, reminiscent of flight. These are the benefits of a convertible.

The disadvantages include the fact that a convertible - a car, the price of which is not lower than the cost of a conventional car, ends the season a few months earlier, the onset of autumn cold drives the car into the garage for the whole winter, since its interior is not heated. And you can start riding in the spring no earlier than April.

Prices for convertibles of famous brands and "Roadsters" in Russia fluctuate in a fairly wide range. The most inexpensive convertible car will cost 1,250,000 rubles. Then the price smoothly goes up, slowing down on used Roadsters. Depending on the year of manufacture, the cost of a good convertible varies from 1 million 300 thousand to 1 million 850 thousand rubles.

Most Popularconvertibles

Many companies produce convertibles and "Roadsters", but there is a list of especially recognized and popular models:

• Alfa Romeo Spider (Italy).
• Bentley Azure (UK).
• BMW M6 (Germany).
• BMW Z3/Z4/Z8 (Germany).
• Dodge Viper (USA).
• Ford KA (USA).
• Jaguar XK (UK).
• Lexus SC (Japan).
• Maybach Landaulet (Germany).
• Mazda MX 5 (Japan).
• Tesla Roadster (USA).
• Nissan 35OZ (Japan).
• Mercedes Benz SLK GTR Class (Germany).
• Mercedes Benz SLK GTR (Germany).
• Mercedes SL (Germany).
• Morgan Roadster (UK).
• MG F/TF (UK).
• Honda S2000 (Japan).
• Chrysler Crossfire (USA).
• Porsche Boxster (Germany).
• Volvo C70 (Sweden).
• Audi TT Roadster (Germany).
• Fiat Barchetta (Italy).