Tag Archives: Convertible

Bentley continental GTC featured

2012 Bentley Continental GTC

October 20th, 2011 by Frank Aukofer

In the British version of the English language, corporations and companies are plural. An American would say that Bentley has introduced a new Continental GTC. A Brit would say Bentley have introduced the 2012 GTC. In this circumstance, the British form is particularly apt because Bentley builds its cars in a familial facility in the small city of Crewe, England, where robots are few and co-operating individuals are many, working …

Read More >>

Chrysler 200 conv

Indian Summer means late convertible fling

September 29th, 2011 by John Gilbert

Ah, Indian Summer. Not sure where the name came from, or if recent political correctness requires us to call it “Native American Summer,” but it’s that wonderful stretch of fall that comes after September, when the temperatures make one more summer-like climb after the autumn leaves already have started turning. Those of us who live where it snows in earnest during the winters can enjoy Indian Summer more than those …

Read More >>

Volkswagen Eos featured

2012 VW EOS

September 25th, 2011 by Lisa Bowman

It’s Labor Day. The last day of summer freedom and then the kids are back in school. I dread this time of year. The inevitable Minnesota wintertime taunts me. Plus the hubs is out of commission after he fell off his horse the day before and broke his wrist, rib and suffered a minor concussion. May lose my mind but then something works to my advantage and I get to …

Read More >>

BMW 650i convertible

Convertible Dog Days — No Dogs Need Apply

August 15th, 2011 by John Gilbert

The dog days of late summer can wear you down with the last blast of heat and humidity, but there are some automotive remedies. The worst dog days are not at all depressing if experienced from behind the wheel of a convertible. There are a growing list of drop-tops, and if you want to be sure no dogs are allowed, consider as an assortment that includes a BMW, such as …

Read More >>

Chevy Camaro LT2 featured

Camaro LT2 is a racy, retro blast to drive

July 8th, 2011 by Mark Savage

I love the way Chevy’s new Camaro looks, both aggressive and modern, but with a lively dose of 1967 tossed in for good measure. The Victory Red Camaro was the LT2 Convertible. I got in a few runs with the top down, and, like all convertibles, it’s a blast to zip around sans roof. The top lowers in about 20 seconds with the flip and turning of a central lever …

Read More >>

Mercedes SLK350 featured

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350

June 28th, 2011 by Frank Aukofer

In the “Happy Days” 1950s, a mild debate broke out over the definition of a sports car. It happened as the original two-seat Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird made their debuts. After all was said and done, the consensus was that the Thunderbird, lacking true sports car attributes, was a “personal” car, while the Corvette, which also was bereft of most of those distinctions, was a sports car. The two-seat …

Read More >>

Fiat 500c featured

2012 Fiat 500c Pop

May 31st, 2011 by Frank Aukofer

With the background of “Sopranos” shows and “Godfather” movies, Italian-Americans often gripe that they and their forbears are stereotyped as criminals. In the automotive world, however, it’s a different story. Mention Italian and the mental picture is one of style, as exemplified by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa-Romeo and Fiat. These always have been head-turners, never mind the volatile personality traits that drove Fiat out of the United States 27 years …

Read More >>

Nissan 370Z roadster

Nissan Z370 Roadster looks, feels racy

May 27th, 2011 by Mark Savage

Memorial Day weekend always conjures up images of speed, especially this year, with the Indy 500 marking its 100th anniversary, so it’s fitting that this week’s test car is speedy. With its lightning bolt headlights and taillights, the tested “black cherry” Nissan Z370 Roadster qualifies as racy looking, too. The 3.7-liter, 332-horsepower V6 is no slouch, either. The V6 is hooked up to a six-speed manual that not only helps you …

Read More >>