Convertibles, our interest in them is about gone... just like stick shifts

According to Car and Driver magazine's article in the Feb 2014 issue, new convertible registrations are only 1% of the new car market. In 2006 they were only 2%

Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota - don't make a single drop top, and they make 4.2 million cars a year

GM only makes the Camaro and Corvette in convertible

Ford? only the Mustang

Nissan? the 370Z, the Murano, and Infinity Q60

The Smart, the Fiat 500, and the Miata still are available in convertibles.

Info from Car and Driver, via R.L. Polk & Company

Most cars began as open wheel, no tops, and getting a top on them was a big deal, known as the Turret Top by GM in 1934.

Mod Squad Challenger just auctioned, only 2 were made in 1972 that were convertible, both were for the tv show

see this gallery of the restoration of one at http://www.streetfire.net/photo/mod-squad-challenger-tv-car_1304342.htm or see a feature in Mopar Muscle Sept 1987
One just sold at Mecum at Monterey auction for 48500

The 1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible offered was one of the two or three cars used for on-screen work during the 1972 Mod Squad season. Since Chrysler discontinued Challenger Convertible production after 1971, this car was updated with 1972-specific front and rear components, creating an interesting hybrid. Highly optioned with an automatic transmission, bucket seats and a console, it was also used as a PR/show car in period. Today, it displays an exterior refinish dating back 10 years

Baur Karosserie modified BMW

Pretty cool to see a magazine cover car
Baur is a coachbuilder inStuttgart that started working in 1910, and began on BMW's in the 1930's
If you like BMWs and want to find a blog dedicated to the Baur modifieds: http://baurspotting.blogspot.com

I spotted the 1961 Mercedes 190SL, the "Mercedes Bent" , on the 5 freeway yesterday... nice to see someone uses a show car for a change

For the gallery of photos I took of this when it was at SEMA last November: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/11/1961-mercedes-190sl-with-custom-touch.html

Challenging Mopar trivia masters, what unusual about this 1969 Dart?

Answers are here after the link: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2007/05/tokyo-plates-on-56-nomad-bitchin-ride.html

Buick Skylark with exceptional good looks, spotted with the top down and a shine on

Sweet convertible Comet, not often found at car shows, and with an interesting taillight repair

the drivers side brake light lens is just a flipped over passenger side lens... the lettering on it is upside down. The trim piece around the drivers side is bent just to the inside right hand side of it, and that seems to have meant the car owner had to replace a broken drivers side lens, and could only find a passenger side lens. The drivers side lens is far less crackled.

Cool Caddy Convertible at Kimball Park (almost allliterative ain't it?)