Posts from ‘Convertibles’
1932 Buick Series 90 Convertible Phaeton
Note: The following story was excerpted from the April 2005 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine
The story of how Buicks came to be manufactured in Canada—including the very one featured on these pages—starts with one man. Robert Samuel “Sam” McLaughlin, born in 1871, eventually entered the well-regarded family carriage business located in Oshawa, Ontario. Then, in the early years of the twentieth century, he got interested in the automobile business.
Like it does every October, the Mecum Auctions road show rolled in to the Schaumberg Convention Center in Schaumberg, Illinois, late last month. As usual, the Mecum Chicago event boasted its share of big-ticket, six-figure classics—the top seller of this year’s show was a rare Calypso Coral 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 (pictured below) that went for $275,000.
2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
From its inaugural model year of 2001 through the 2006 model year, the Chrysler PT Cruiser enjoyed the distinction of being a Consumer Guide Best Buy. The spunky compact “vanlet” hit all the right buttons to earn our favor, counting among its virtues excellent space utilization, respectable fuel economy, and attractive pricing, as well as the undeniable appeal of its nostalgic design.
2000 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
by Don Sikora II
Note: The following story was excerpted from the February 2019 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine.
Following the 1976 demise of the Cadillac Eldorado soft top, the 1982 Chrysler LeBaron—and very similar Dodge 400—helped restart the market for American-brand convertibles. While the earliest K-car-based ragtops are interesting for their own reasons, at the moment we’d like to take a look at one of their descendants, the 1996-2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible.
Forgotten Concept: Pontiac Salsa
Pontiac Salsa Concept
This is an installment in a series of posts looking back on show cars that we feel deserved a little more attention than they got. If you have a suggestion for a Forgotten Concept topic, please shoot us a line or leave a comment below.
1954 Hudson Jet-Liner Convertible Prototype
Note: The following story was excerpted from the February 2012 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine
By Don Sikora II
When it comes to collecting just about anything, rare is usually good. When it comes to cars, few are rarer than factory-built prototypes. Count among them the one-of-a-kind factory-built 1954 Hudson Jet-Liner convertible prototype owned by well-known Hudson collector Edward Souers of Woodburn, Indiana.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 2.0 Turbo in Ocean Blue Metallic
2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 2.0 Turbo
Class: Compact Crossover/SUV
Miles driven: 399
Fuel used: 17.8 gallons
1930 Isotta Fraschini 8A Flying Star Roadster
Note: The following story was excerpted from the June 2007 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine
By Jack Stewart
Kings, tycoons, popes, and movie stars rode in Isotta Fraschinis. Clara Bow had an Isotta, and Rudolph Valentino owned two. The 1950 film Sunset Boulevard appropriately equipped fictional silent-film star Norma Desmond with an Isotta Fraschini landaulet.
Review Flashback! 2006 Cadillac XLR
2006 Cadillac XLR
In terms of total production, Cadillac’s second attempt to sell a modern-era 2-seat sports car was less successful than its first effort. Indeed, the total build of 1986-1993 Allantés came to 21,430–almost 5000 units more than our topic here: the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR. But in the case of Cadillac sports cars, sales volume may not be the best measure of success.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring in Machine Gray Metallic (a $600 option; includes Auburn Nappa leather)
2019 Mazda MX-5 RF Grand Touring
Class: Sporty/Performance Car
Miles Driven: 475
Fuel Used: 13.8 gallons
