Convertibles are one of the best ways to experience the warm weather. Putting the roof down and feeling the wind in your hair is brilliant.
However, there have been so many convertibles that it’s hard to tell which ones are the best and which are the coolest.
Get ready for a comprehensive guide as we unveil 13 of the best vintage convertibles ever produced based on how cool they are and the performance each one of them has.
First-Generation Alfa Romeo Spider
The first generation of the Alfa Romeo Spider is the most fondly remembered of the Italian classic. Alfa Romeo produced four generations in total, but the 1066 to 1060 holds an extraordinary place in the hearts of many.
Aside from its gorgeous looks, the Alfa Romeo Spider had plenty of performance. Various inline-four engines were available under the hood; the most potent version was the 1750 Spider Veoloce with 116 hp. The cheaper Spider 1300 Junior had 88 hp and a top speed of 106 mph. Alfa Romeo produced the final Spider in 1993, ending one of the most loved lines of cars in history.
MG MGB Roadster
The little MG MGB was the quintessential British sports car and an icon of the country’s automotive industry. MG built the MGB in large numbers, and they went against the grand of some MGs of the time as they were reliable, rugged, had plenty of space, and were fun to drive.
The earlier versions of the MGB, with the chrome bumpers, look the best in the lot. Thanks to the inline-four and later Rover V8 engines, the MGB is a classic car that is easy to maintain. Plenty of spare parts are out there for those who want to restore one. The MGB is a convertible sports car you can’t go wrong with.
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air is a convertible that needs more attention. Chevrolet first launched in 1952, and the second generation arrived in 1955. The Bel Air captured the hearts of buyers in the United States.
The elegant lines and the chrome across the bodywork were a big hit. Even more appealing was the big V8 engine that Chevrolet placed under the hood. The 1955 Bel Air had a small-block 4.3-liter V8 under the hood, and in 1957, Chevrolet added the slightly bigger 4.6-liter small-block V8 into the Bel Air. The Bel Air is also practical, with plenty of space inside for four passengers and a fifth with a bit of a squeeze.
Reliant Scimitar GTC
Reliant producing a memorable car might not sound likely, given the jokes sent their Robin three-wheeler’s way. However, the Scimitar was a great car, and it was even better when Reliant launched the GTC convertible version in 1980, following a redesign of the sports car.
This was Reliant’s answer to the Triumph stag, and Reliant had built a fantastic convertible with a 2.8-liter Ford V6 under the hood. Despite the praise for the Scimitar GTC, Reliant produced just 442 examples during its six-year production run, meaning it is now one of the most sought-after of all Scimitars and hard to find in pristine condition.
Peugeot 205 CTi 1.9
More recently, Peugeot has been the butt of many jokes, but there was a time when it could produce a perfect car. The Peugeot 205 was one of the best, and it became even better thanks to the CTi 1.9 convertible version.
The drop-top version of the hot hatch is still an affordable classic car, too, costing just over $3,000 in the United Kingdom. The 1.9-liter engine under the hood is superb, and despite its small size, the 205 CTi has a spacious and comfortable interior. The car’s convertible nature made it a lot more fun and enjoyable than its hard-top cousin, which in itself is a lot of fun to drive.
Mercedes-Benz 350 SL
Mercedes built the 350 SL in the late 1970s as a successor to the equally beautiful 280 SL. However, the 280SL was very expensive, and the 350 SL was an attempt by Mercedes to make their iconic convertible design a little more affordable.
The new model’s angular design compared to its predecessor and higher reliability make it a better drive than its 1960s counterpart. Customers were very pleased that Mercedes added large V8 power to the available engines. Mercedes updated the engines in the late 1980s, with V8s as big as the 5.5-liter and 5.0-liter engines seen in the W124.
Jaguar XKE Roadster
A list of classic convertibles is not complete without a look at the stunning E-Type/XKE Roadster. Jaguar introduced the E-Type in 1961, with a Roadster version coming the same year, and the vast majority had the 4.2-liter inline-six under the hood producing 246 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque, which in the early 1960s were imposing power figures.
The Roadster would remain a core part of the E-Type range throughout its production run, and it would always retain the beautiful looks, lines, and proportions that made the E-Type such an iconic sports car. Rumor has it that when Enzo Ferrari first saw it, he said it was “the most beautiful car ever made.”
1953–56 Porsche 356 Speedster
One of the most striking convertible cars over the years is the beautiful Porsche 356 Speedster. The 356 is the forerunner to the iconic 911, and it would quickly gain a reputation for being lightweight with agile handling, as well as some of the best styling of any sports car in history.
The 356 Speedster differed from regular sports car versions due to its lower windshield and the absence of the front bumper. The Speedster is also one of the most desirable versions of the 356, with Porsche only producing 4,854 examples. Thanks to its unibody construction, the 356 is a tricky car to restore due to the rust that can accumulate on poorly stored and looked after examples.
1965 Ford Mustang Convertible
Following the launch of its new flagship muscle car, it was only natural that Ford introduced a convertible version, and in 1965, that is precisely what they did. The convertible Mustang had been the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 the previous year.
Early convertible Mustangs are exceptionally rare and one of the most sought-after versions of the Mustang, particularly the Shelby versions. While the inline-six with 120 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque was disappointing, the 271 hp and 312 lb-ft of torque 289 V8 version was not. Shelby took the 1965 GT350 to new levels, with a 0-60 of just 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 138 mph.
2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
On the more modern side, the 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder is an exceptional convertible sports car that could easily take on the best of the Mazda Miata MX-5. Under the hood of the 2001 version was a 1.8-liter twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine with Toyota’s VVT-i variable valve timing technology.
That engine produced 138 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque, and while that might not sound like a lot of power, the MR2 Spyder was light. Its 0-60 mph time was just 7.2 seconds, and its even weight distribution made it a joy in the corners. The ultra-responsive electric hydraulic power steering system and sticky wide-track tires add to that.
1997 Porsche Boxster
Another modern classic is the 1997 Porsche Boxster convertible, the first explicitly designed Porsche roadster since the 550 Spyder of the 1950s. The Boxster was a very welcome return to a mid-engine sports car that was more affordable.
The Boxster convertible was simple but brilliant. It had a flat mid-mounted six-cylinder engine under the hood. This 2.5-liter engine had 201 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, and the 0-60 mph time was below seven seconds. Independent suspension in the front and the rear aided with handling, and the 1997 Boxster had some of the most responsive handling of any sports car. You can pick examples up on the classic car market for as little as $13,000.
BMW 507
Germany was reinventing itself after World War 2, and the iconic 507 was a way for BMW to do so, too. The German manufacturer introduced the 507 in 1956 and aimed it at the American market, hoping to take on the stunning Mercedes-Benz SL.
The 507 had a 3.2-liter M507/1 engine under the hood, with 148 hp and just 2,932 lbs. It is one of the best-looking cars, and it would inspire the design of the BMW Z8, possibly one of the best BMWs of the modern era. The 507 is now hugely valuable, with the average value on Classic.com listed at $2.1 million.
1996 BMW Z3
A more modern BMW that deserves a lot more attention is the BMW Z3 of 1996. The announcement of the Z3 created massive demand for BMW, and by February 1995, the German manufacturer had sold out of all examples for the 1996 model year.
Under the hood was a 1.9-liter DIOHC 16-valve inline-four engine with 138 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but the Z3 was light and handled superbly. The five-speed manual transmission meant that gearheads loved it. Its styling is classic 1990s with the streamlined front end, small grille, and graceful curves along the rest of the body.
