Just occurred to me yesterday, this 62 Parisienne is the oldest convertible I've ever had. Lots of older cars, but not rag tops. My previous oldest were in the mid eighties I had a pair of 63 Galaxie XL 390 cars. They seemed really old to me at the time, but they weren't even 25 years old.
What was your oldest convertible, and how did you like driving it?
1960 Corvette so it's the oldest model year, then 64 Meteor but I had it when I was 17 (1972) so it was only 8 yrs old. Then a 64 Comet Caliente. Followed by a 65 Corvette, 68 Beaumont, 69 Olds, 70 Cutlass, 70 Chevelle SS. I had a convertible every summer from 16yrs old til just recently, and I have a BMW convertible now. But they weren't very old when I owned them, so the 66 Cadillac I bought in 2006 was the oldest at 40 years. When I was young I loved driving around in Halifax on a rainy night with the top up listening to all the sounds thru the uninsulated top. It always stayed with me to this day.
-- Edited by eeluddy on Thursday 25th of December 2014 12:52:49 PM
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Had a 53 BelAir that I bought in '69, restored, and had up until the storage building burnt in May of '95.
Have a '64 Beaumont SD that I bought in about '98 and it still isn't on the road.
I briefly owned a 1957 Ford Sunliner in 1975....had a 352..with a three on the tree......but needed TONS of work.....didn't run....dragged it home on a chain....
Gave it back 2 weeks later when the seller confessed to me that he had no papers for it....He DID give me my 100 bucks back...
I guess the oldest open car was a 30 Chev roadster. Not much of it was left and I never got around to making something of it. I had the frame, cowl, fenders and rear bussel. No doors, trunk lid, hood or grille.
I still have my 69 350HO Firebird Convertible and 67 Mustang Convertible projects but they're nothing to look at.
My first convertible, 58 MGA, converted 12 volt battreies in trunk for 2 six volt, custom wooden floor boards
and side curtains that were virtually useless in the rain but for $100 at 16 it was a blast.
Then a 64 Triumph TR4, great car once I got the strombergs tuned, loved to drive it at night with top down
with music turned up........18 Yrs old. Still love the lines of this model. Would now love a Triumph or BSA 650 motor cycle.
33 Plymouth coup cabriolet rough shell, 65 Cutlass, 66 Caddy and still enjoying the 80 TA. The 33 and two 65 Lemans rags are still waiting to be restored. Maybe retirement projects. Miss the Caddy. Barry
Got the car as a field car in 1986. finished it as you see it now. {picture was taken this summer}. Do all my own work. Car is a 4sp,
Very nice indeed!!
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"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think... The good outnumber you, and we always will." Patton Oswalt
.....altho my first car was a 57 Pontiac 283, 4 bbl, 3 speed in 1964.......but I wanted a sports car for the next summer. In Jan 1965 I bought this 62 Healey MK 11 tri-power (not actual pic of my car) and partied thru summer '65 in style...
turns out was the only foreign car I've ever owned........bought a 63 Vette after it......and GM/Ford/Chrys from then on........