Summer is almost here...time to break out the convertibles!

[Winchester67]

Or in my case, a Roadster since there is no top nor a provision for windows...anyone else getting ready to break out the toy cars?5530555305

[H60DoorGunner]

Is that a real Shelby Cobra? She looks great!

[Winchester67]

Real ones have climbed a little out of my price range...should have bought one in the 80's! Ah, well. This is a Backdraft Cobra...factory built in South Africa. The complete everything except the final installation of the motor and transmission, which they entrust to one of their Stateside dealers. That way when it is imported, it is not a "car" so it does not have to pass current emissions/crash standards. It is titled as a 1965 model. Good times. It has a 345 Horse 302 and a Tremec 5 speed transmission. The vintage Cobra had a 271 Horse 289, so this one still has enough grunt get out of its own way...especially considering the 1960's models had less HP and terrible tires. We are living in the Golden Years!55306

[Winchester67]

Old pic by the way...I added the 60's style air cleaner and the screw was too long, so I used a socket as a spacer...that has been fixed now, before you all start to tease me!

[jesselp]

I did actually take the Lotus out for its first drive of 2018 this weekend. Still has the hard-top on for now. Need to get it detailed - embarrassingly dusty at the moment. this is an old photo.

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[Winchester67]

Brilliant! I used to run a Lotus Europa back in the day. Lightweight to a fault, but man was it fun on twisty roads. Fell a bit behind schedule on the restoration, so we drove it down to Padre for Spring Break my senior year of college in primer. Good times indeed.

[coastalcop]

Thankfully we have pretty much year around topless weather here. But i am bringing out my PRHT Miata more often . Not as nice or quick as some others have posted here, but Id rather drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Quick pic before the suspension work. And with the top UP :( .

[Winchester67]

Looking forward to the pics. You have it figured out, my friend. The Miata is a HOOT to drive. Balance means a lot to me in terms of fun. I have run the big blocks and they are fun, but kinda a one trick pony. A smaller, free revving engine that is lighter out front than a big block...for sure the way to go since they are not only respectable in terms of straight line performance, but they are huge fun on back country roads that reward precise driving. The Cobra is perfect for me...it is not 50 years old, so the wiring is not crispy and the suspension bushings have not rotted out. It is, at the end of the day, a REPLICA Cobra, despite it being factory built. So I can park the thing without sending my blood pressure thru the roof, which I could not say about my 1962 Corvette or a ton of others. To me, this car makes sense. But it is not like I would be unhappy with something as fun as a Miata!

[chad newton]

Looking forward to the pics. You have it figured out, my friend. The Miata is a HOOT to drive. Balance means a lot to me in terms of fun. I have run the big blocks and they are fun, but kinda a one trick pony. A smaller, free revving engine that is lighter out front than a big block...for sure the way to go since they are not only respectable in terms of straight line performance, but they are huge fun on back country roads that reward precise driving. The Cobra is perfect for me...it is not 50 years old, so the wiring is not crispy and the suspension bushings have not rotted out. It is, at the end of the day, a REPLICA Cobra, despite it being factory built. So I can park the thing without sending my blood pressure thru the roof, which I could not say about my 1962 Corvette or a ton of others. To me, this car makes sense. But it is not like I would be unhappy with something as fun as a Miata!
If was real you wouldn’t drive it, sweet ride man. I wouldn’t mind taking that lotus or yours to willow springs in Cali. I was building a 71 914 with a 250hp 2.4. Also a 67 Galaxie with a 528” big block. Sold them both before I went to Georgia. Oh well, I will find something else. I may do a 2.5 spec boxster of spec Miata, they have a couple big raceways close to my house. Will see, I always need something to spend money on.:)

[Mike OTDP]

What you're calling a "fun car" I call a "daily driver". Haven't owned a hard-top since 1985. Current mount is a BMW 328 with the folding top (which I don't like, my 2004 soft-top was a much superior arrangement).

Had a 1990 Miata I drove daily for 13 years. Not the fastest car, but incredibly maneuverable. On a two-lane road with shoulders, you could comfortably do a 180. Lovely machine.

[ZeroTA]

Man, I feel left out. Used to have a '79 Trans Am, T-tops, the works. Had all the WS6 specs from the factory, but was not a WS6 build. Agile it was not, but sure was a blast to drive. Some day I'll have another, or a Vette. Euro cars are superior in every measurable way but it's American muscle for me.

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[jesselp]

I had my 9-year old in the Lotus with me on Sunday when a guy in a Cayman S came up beside me, made eye contact, and then took off. I followed him right up to the point that the speedo hit 115 and my kid started squealing. Decided I should slow down...

[jesselp]

If was real you wouldn’t drive it, sweet ride man. I wouldn’t mind taking that lotus or yours to willow springs in Cali. I was building a 71 914 with a 250hp 2.4. Also a 67 Galaxie with a 528” big block. Sold them both before I went to Georgia. Oh well, I will find something else. I may do a 2.5 spec boxster of spec Miata, they have a couple big raceways close to my house. Will see, I always need something to spend money on.:)

Did you say Boxter?

http://www.excellence-mag.com/issues/247/articles/modest-macadamia-monster#.WrlNdYjwaUm

[Blacked out]

Not quite there yet, we had some snow equals blow thru the other day. At some point in April though I will break the vette out of it’s cryogenic state. Not convertible but at least a targa top.

[Mike O'Leary]

It’s not a convertible but it’s my summer fun car. 1970 SS Chevelle. 496 ci stroker big block with a healthy dose of nitrous. Makes about 800 hp on the bottle. Best run is 9.49 at 153 mph in the 1/4mile.

[chad newton]

Did you say Boxter?

http://www.excellence-mag.com/issues/247/articles/modest-macadamia-monster#.WrlNdYjwaUm
Is that yours???

[IANative]

Not topless, but it has a sun roof and speakers in the headrests! Not as impressive as what y'all have posted, but the Fiero was all the rage when I was in high school. I inherited this one when my father passed away. I'll never drive it- I'm a pickup guy- and it needs a new home. Anyone have any ideas?

[jesselp]

Is that yours???

No, but it’s in the family...

Its’s a crazy car.

[Winchester67]

Fiero flashback! I went to college with a guy that bought one new...slow, but still fun. You have the one to own. The V6 was the engine it should have come out with...about the time they got it closer to being right, Pontiac killed it. The market is pretty soft on these right now, but it sure would not cost much to sit on it for a bit and see where it goes.

[Winchester67]

And yes, I want a ride in the Chevy SS! At my 20 year High School reunion I saw an old streetracer and went straight up to his wife, ignoring Midgely completely. I deadpanned to her "I am sure you have never heard this before, but did you know Steve's 396 SS was one of the three fastest cars in Columbia at the time?" I think she broke something rolling her eyes so hard. Seems she had indeed heard the story. My own long suffering wife has to endure all that sort of thing when we watch an old movie..."Oh, look a (fill in the blank). I used to have one of those, but mine was convertible...." I can actually hear her eyes rolling, it sounds like a 3/8 inch ratchet.

[Winged Hussar]

It’s not a convertible but it’s my summer fun car. 1970 SS Chevelle. 496 ci stroker big block with a healthy dose of nitrous. Makes about 800 hp on the bottle. Best run is 9.49 at 153 mph in the 1/4mile.

Man. She's a beaut. That 1/4 mile time is smoking.

[Greg Nichols]

Dang..... Now I'm getting the itch... Funnest cars I've ever owned were a 85' Fiat X19 Bertone, 86' Porsche 944, and 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth.... I totally need a driving car. The Hummer is fun but it doesn't really handle, or accelerate.

[Winchester67]

The Bertone was not a powerhouse, but very precise. Buddy of mine had one in high school and gave me fits in my MG trying to keep up. Big fun. Treat yourself!

[EDELWEISS]

Thankfully we have pretty much year around topless weather here. But i am bringing out my PRHT Miata more often . Not as nice or quick as some others have posted here, but Id rather drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Quick pic before the suspension work. And with the top UP :( .

I bought a Miata when I first came home from Desert Storm. I was doing an EP assignment for the 3 Star that took over for Schwarzkopf and all he talked about was his Miata that he bought just before deploying. I heard it enough that when I came home to a Pick Up with a blown transmission, I had to have a Miata. Back then they sold for $3-5K above sticker. I loved that car. It was White with racing stripes. The only thing it was practical for was having fun... Back in those days there were guys in Cali offering to put Mustang 5.0 engines in them. I never took them up on that; but I dreamed about it...

[CB3]

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2014 BMW Z4 with the 4-cyl 2.0 and 8-speed auto transmission. Daily driver with retractable hardtop up, but burn in the sun fun for the other 8 months. Very surprising how much fun to drive. It is not the fastest, best handling or most expensive 2-seater out there, but I almost never have a top-down day go by without pleasing comments—today from three very old ladies!

[Froghalla]

In a previous life, had a 1957 Morgan 2+2 roadster. Very hot little thing. Now, I've got a Husqvarna, nice 48 inch cut. Bright orange. Runs like a top!

[45Smashemflat]

Triumph, '78 Spit....

[coastalcop]

Dang..... Now I'm getting the itch... Funnest cars I've ever owned were a 85' Fiat X19 Bertone, 86' Porsche 944, and 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth.... I totally need a driving car. The Hummer is fun but it doesn't really handle, or accelerate.

I had the X19 fix it again tony. You had to learn yoga to get the clutch master cylinder out from under the dash (hang your legs out the removed Targa). Loved driving it, hated working on it.

[M1A's r Best]

Here around Richmond there are a lot of rich folks with their foreign (and GM/Ford) convertibles. I have to laugh every sunny day in Feb/Mar when I see them going down the road with the top down, the windows up and hats/gloves on to stay warm.

It ain't convertible weather till you don't have to dress up like you're going skiing and run the heater wide open.

I never had a convertible. Just the Z28's with T-tops.

[Badger]

Here’s me on my summer toy. It doesn’t have much acceleration for some reason.

[Vigilant]

Youse guys keep talking about summer? Indiana has renamed April 16th January 96th, it snowed AGAIN today!

[coastalcop]

55466

2014 BMW Z4 with the 4-cyl 2.0 and 8-speed auto transmission. Daily driver with retractable hardtop up, but burn in the sun fun for the other 8 months. Very surprising how much fun to drive. It is not the fastest, best handling or most expensive 2-seater out there, but I almost never have a top-down day go by without pleasing comments—today from three very old ladies!

thats a sweet ride brother

[Paper Shredder]

. It is not the fastest

Hey... get a chip tune...that N20 engine makes more power... $350 probably for the piggy back system (BMS)... 5 min install and 45hp / 65 lb ft.


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[CB3]

Thanks. Worth looking into. I’ve chipped other vehicles but not a Bimmer.

[Paper Shredder]

Thanks. Worth looking into. I’ve chipped other vehicles but not a Bimmer.

Only if it’s the turbo engine.... it is probably the best $ to HP modification you can buy.


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[UNO]

Dang..... Now I'm getting the itch... Funnest cars I've ever owned were a 85' Fiat X19 Bertone, 86' Porsche 944, and 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth.... I totally need a driving car. The Hummer is fun but it doesn't really handle, or accelerate.

Depending on the money, a BRZ or FRS on wider tires and rims is fun as hell for on the cheap. C5 z06s, also, but I've owned "fast" stuff before, and honestly I've taken to enjoying driving slow cars fast more than I liked driving a fast car slowly, as stated on page 1. The BRZ I drove felt like a pocket version of my Corvette. Much more vettelike than the other popular slow car, the miata. They feel very different, but are both awesome.

[UNO]

Man, I feel left out. Used to have a '79 Trans Am, T-tops, the works. Had all the WS6 specs from the factory, but was not a WS6 build. Agile it was not, but sure was a blast to drive. Some day I'll have another, or a Vette. Euro cars are superior in every measurable way but it's American muscle for me.

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I dunno brother, not in the performance categories. Murica all the way. Nice TransAm by the way. I had a 95 and an 01.

[Mike Heckathorn]

Dang..... Now I'm getting the itch... Funnest cars I've ever owned were a 85' Fiat X19 Bertone, 86' Porsche 944, and 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth.... I totally need a driving car. The Hummer is fun but it doesn't really handle, or accelerate.

2018 Mustang GT. I’m loving mine so far.


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[UNO]

2018 Mustang GT. I’m loving mine so far.


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How is traction with those? Glued down, or do they still spin on a hard 1-2 shift? Back in 05 when I worked st the Ford dealer, we could get a lot of tire spin on them.

[Mike Heckathorn]

How is traction with those? Glued down, or do they still spin on a hard 1-2 shift? Back in 05 when I worked st the Ford dealer, we could get a lot of tire spin on them.

Depends on where I set it. Drag Strip will get mild spin through third gear. Sport and Track never spin.


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[UNO]

Depends on where I set it. Drag Strip will get mild spin through third gear. Sport and Track never spin.


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Interesting. Do they have a PTM on them, now, or just throttle response tuning?

[Mike Heckathorn]

Interesting. Do they have a PTM on them, now, or just throttle response tuning?

Don’t know. I’m just the dude driving the car. Drag Strip is known to result in a sub 4 second 0-60. The current mustang has a whole slew of track only apps.


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