The dashing chaps at the Classic Car Club discuss the best convertible cars for whizzing around town during a perfect British summer's afternoon...
With summer just around the corner our thoughts turn to al fresco motoring. There is nothing that us Brits love more than jumping in the car, dropping the roof and going for a drive. All we need is for the temperature to be slightly above freezing and for the rain to stop for five minutes and we’re away. Even though the sun hasn’t quite got its act together yet, it got us thinking about the best convertibles you can lay your hands on. Here is our pick of the best cars to hit the city streets in this summer.
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1. Alfa Romeo Spider
When Steve McQueen reviewed the Alfa Spider for Sports Illustrated in 1966 he felt it was underpowered. What won him over was the handling and the style. He could picture himself driving it through the narrow, city streets of Italy. The Spider was and is a car that takes you to another place and if it’s good enough for McQueen, it’s good enough for us.
© Charles01
2. The Peugeot 504
When it was launched the 504 convertible was within the reach of the average man or woman. And yet it was the kind of car you could imagine picking up Jean Seberg in. Ready to make you look more French than Alain Delon humming the La Marseillaise while smoking a packet of Gitanes.
© PA
3. Lotus Elan M100
A wedgy classic from the boys at Lotus. It is quick, reliable and handles as well as anything they ever built. It is an under-rated motor which means you can pick these up for under £10k. The perfect impulse buy for the summer.
© Karya Sendiri
4. The Mazda MX-5
The MX-5 may not be the fastest car on the road, but what it lacks in grunt it makes up for in charm. A modern day Lotus Elan if you will. Only it will be easier to live with day-in, day-out. This is summer on four wheels.
© Nigel Case
5. The Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite
For our money the Frogeye Sprite offers just about the most fun you can have in the city with your clothes on. An open topped sportster that doesn’t hit 60mph until around the twenty second mark and tops out at just over 80mph. This is a car for meandering through the city in the sunshine. A total joy.
Visit The Classic Car Club for plenty more driving advice and vintage vehicle hiring enquiries...
Even though you may not be darting down the motorway, inviting the wind to toy with your hair - be sure to keep your summer hairstyle looking as stylish as the vehicle you're driving with the following essentials...
