HOW TO BUY THE PERFECT Convertible

Once upon a time all cars were open to the elements, but even when a weatherproof roof became the norm, the rag-top never went away – it’s just too much fun. Today, we have decades of choice open to us, so we’re going to tackle topless motoring theme by theme. In other words, whether you’re shopping by age, style or budget, you’ll find some ideas here to turn just another summer into an unforgettable year. Now…where are my shades?

Some general principles

There are some things to keep in mind when checking over almost any car with a folding roof. Bear this short checklist in mind and you’ll make a good start to assessing a car’s condition. ★ Make sure you can operate everything yourself; let the vendor show you how, and then check it’s as easy as it looks! ★ If there’s a power roof, check it operates smoothly both up and down, within about 30 seconds, without horrible scraping noises. ★ Check both the outer hood fabric and the headliner (if it has one) for stains, tears or