There is no doubt that the feeling of driving a classic car with the top down is one that is unmatched in the world of automobiles.  The sheer fun and exhilaration provided by convertibles is no secret, given their usually higher price tags when compared to sedan or coupe editions of the same car.  There are many drivers out there who are willing to pay a premium for the privilege to own the open edition of their favorite antique vehicle.

Of course, there are some convertibles in particular which stand out in the annals of classic automobiles when compared against other vehicles of their time.  Some drop tops have become so recognizable – even iconic – that they have risen above the standard crop of collector cars.

Perhaps two of the most outstanding examples of this type of convertible are the 1954 Chevrolet Corvette and the 1955 Ford Thunderbird.  These two roadsters – that is to say, two-seat convertibles – were produced by domestic car companies in an effort to combat the sporty, lightweight cars that were pouring out of Europe after the war. 

Although the Corvette officially began production in 1953, there were very few actually produced (about 300 or so) until the following year.  With the rounded, grinning grille and rising front fenders, the front end of the Corvette was quite distinctive when compared to other Chevrolets.  What also made the 1954 Corvette unique was the fact that it still offered the six cylinder “Blue Flame” engine from 1953’s model year, instead of the fire-breathing V8’s that the model later became synonymous with.  This inline unit produced 150 horsepower and was matched with either a manual two speed or the Powerglide automatic transmission. The vehicle’s body was made entirely out of fiberglass, which helped to keep its weight down and which also served to further distinguish it on the market.

In contrast, Ford took a slightly different path when it came to building their own small convertible.  With an open-mouthed grilled and a bulging power dome on the hood, the all-steel 1955 Thunderbird left no doubts as to whether it could move down the road with considerable authority.  Under the hood could be found a 292 cubic inch V8 engine good for around 200 horsepower.  The Thunderbird was never meant to go head to head with the Corvette, instead filling a market niche that Ford chose to label “personal luxury”.  The two cars, while similar when they debuted, would soon diverge and continue along totally different tangents as time went on.

By the end of the 50’s, small was out and size was in – especially when it came to convertibles.  Domestic roadsters had grown into muscular copies of their former selves, but they were outnumbered by the explosion of four and six passenger convertibles hitting dealer showrooms.  One of the most impressive feats of convertible engineering of this, or any other era, came from Ford in the form of the Skyliner. 

Produced between 1957 and 1959, this vehicle featured a power retractable hard top, which was a startling innovation in automotive design at the time.  The Skyliner was so elegantly put together that the roof folding process was a spectacle to behold.  First the trunk would open from its rear hinges, and then the top itself would break into two pieces in order to be mechanically lifted and then deposited behind the passenger compartment.  The Skyliner was a huge car, but because the roof mechanism took up so much trunk space it wasn’t the most practical convertible available, which hurt it from a sales perspective.  These vehicles are fairly rare on the market today and often command a hefty price as a result.

Ford would round out their string of notable convertibles with their Lincoln division’s 1961 to 1967 four-door Continental.  The last four-door rag top to be offered by a commercial automaker, the Continental is perhaps best known for its role in one of America’s greatest tragedies – the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  Despite the stigma associated with this historical event, the Continental has managed to hold up as a very desirable car, one that has become symbolic of the amazing styling to have come out of the 60’s.  With its slab sides and rear-hinged, suicide doors the Continental stands apart from any other full-size convertible of its time.  Its massive size made it an excellent parade car, a role it continues to enjoy today at events all across the country.

The 1970’s saw many car companies back away from producing convertibles, due to fears that American safety watch dogs would ban the body style due to perceived rollover concerns.  However, there were still a few beautiful vehicles produced towards the beginning of the decade before the self-imposed ban, mostly from European automakers with less to fear from US law makers, since they could still sell their models overseas.  Jaguar’s Series 3 E-Type production began in 1971, continuing the tradition of their large, grand touring roadster based on their popular 12-cylinder coupe, while also available with a 6-cylinder engine. In 1972 Mercedes-Benz would revive interest in small, nimble roadsters by producing one of the most popular variants of their SL-Class.  Initially offered exclusively with a small V8 engine, these quick, beautiful and classy convertibles would have phenomenal staying power, remaining in production with only minor changes and upgrades until 1989.

Regardless of whether it is an exotic German or British sports roadster or a huge, open-topped American land-yacht, convertibles occupy a very special and emotional niche in the world of collectible antique cars.  With so many different models to choose from, it is difficult to pick any absolute favorites.  However, the cars mentioned in this article represent some of the highlights of the golden age of convertible design, from the gung-ho excitement of the immediate post-war years to the final hurrah of the classic body style before its self-imposed exile in the 1970’s.  Sure, older convertibles might leak, exhibit more body lean than their sedan cousins and shake, rattle and roll their way over rough pavement, but those characteristics are all part of the charm of driving a vehicle built out of passion rather than a desire for practicality.

By Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin is a professional, published writer living in Montreal, Canada. He has a deep background in three industries: medical, music and automotive. 

He is President of an independent record label for close to a decade, and also spent over eight years as a musical promoter and touring musician.

He has restored and raced automobiles for 15 years, and writes for a number of automotive publications on the web.