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BMW 328 -

A classic vehicle of the interwar period, the BMW 328 enjoyed immediate success in motorsport. It proved equally successful off the track, becoming a favorite with alpine motorists. 

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Morgan 4/4 -

Still in production today, albeit in much modified form, the Morgan 4/4 first appeared in 1936. Produced by the UK-based Morgan Motor Company, the Morgan 4/4 proudly holds the record as the longest running production vehicle in the world.

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VW Beetle -

One of the most iconic cars in automotive history, instantly recognized for its distinctive shape, the Volkswagen Beetle was conceived in early 1930's Germany. The first convertible versions of the "Bug" appeared in 1949, manufactured by the Karmann company.

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Chevrolet Corvette C1 -

The first generation of the Corvette sports car produced by Chevrolet was known as the C1. Introduced late in the 1953 model year and produced through 1962, the C1 was inspired by the postwar European love of sports cars and roadsters.

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Ferrari 250 GT -

The Ferrari 250 GT was the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer's most successful early line. The Cabriolet Série 1 Pinin Farina combined seductive styling with a powerful V12 engine.

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Chevrolet Bel Air -

Chevrolet's first generation Bel Air models featured a non-detachable roof, which was rare at the time. In 1953 and 1954, Bel Airs could be ordered as a convertible, hardtop coupe, two- and four-door variant sedan. An icon of its age, well-maintained Bel Air convertibles are today worth a small fortune.

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Mercedes-Benz 190SL -

A two-door luxury roadster built between May 1955 and February 1963, the 190SL presented an attractive, more affordable alternative to the rather more exclusive Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

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BMW 507 -

Manufactured by BMW from 1956 to 1959, the BMW 507 is a grand touring convertible of exceptional rarity. Just 252 cars were produced, making this vintage automobile one of the most valuable and desired cars in the world.

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Ford Thunderbird -

Convertibles were all the rage in mid-1950s America, a fact not lost on Ford. The first generation of its popular Thunderbird was produced as a two-seat drop-top, manufactured for the 1955 to the 1957 model years.

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Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz -

The Eldorado, manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 1952 until 2002 over 12 generations, was at or near the top of the Cadillac line. In 1957, the Biarritz convertible was introduced, a notable design feature being the downswept fenderline capped by pointed in-board fins.

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Austin-Healey Sprite -

Announced to the motoring press in 1958, the Sprite quickly became affectionately known as the "frogeye" in the UK and the "bugeye" in the US, because of its prominent headlights. It ceased production in 1971.

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Citroën DS -

Known for its aerodynamic, futuristic body design, the Citroën DS was launched in 1955. In 1958, the Décapotable appeared, the hugely popular convertible version. By 1973, only 1,365 such cars had been built. As such, soft-top DS's are highly collectable.

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Mercedes-Benz 300SL -

At the time of its unveiling in 1954. the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was the fastest production car of its time, capable of reaching speeds of up to 1163 mph (263 km/h). The roadster convertible made it debut in 1957.

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Studebaker Lark Regal -

Produced by Studebaker from 1959 to 1966, the Lark was first marketed as a hardtop. In 1960, the first convertibles appeared, known as the Lark Regal.

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Jaguar E Type -

Manufactured by Jaguar Cars Ltd from 1961 to 1974, the E-Type remains one of the most iconic motor cars ever built. Pictured is a 1964 Series 1 roadster convertible.

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Lincoln Continental -

Unveiled in 1961, only 2,857 Lincoln Continental convertibles were made. The vehicle was used as a US presidential state limousine, serving from 1961 to 1977, though after John F. Kennedy's assassination it was rebuilt with a permanent roof, armoring, and bulletproof glass.

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Shelby Cobra -

Named after race car driver and automotive designer Carroll Shelby, the Shelby Cobra is the American version of the AC Cobra, a sports car manufactured by British company AC Cars. Around 1,000 Shelby Cobra roadsters were built from 1962 to 1967, and original versions of the car are today much sought-after by collectors.

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MG MGB -

The MG MGB was released to the public in 1962 to great acclaim. It was one of the first cars to feature controlled crumple zones designed to protect the driver and passenger in a 30 mph (48 km/h) impact.

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Ford Mustang -

The first generation Ford Mustang debuted in 1964, as a hardtop and convertible. The styling of these so-called pony cars proved wildly popular, and inspired a host of competition.

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Alfa Romeo Spider -

Another vintage automobile renowned for its singular design, the Spider was manufactured and marketed by Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1994. For the North American market, a model marketed as the Graduate acknowledged the vehicle's appearance in the 1967 film 'The Graduate,' starring Dustin Hoffman.

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Triumph Spitfire -

Fast and feisty, the British-built Triumph Spitfire was an instant success in 1960's England, an inexpensive small sports car that performed equally well on city streets as it did on country roads. It ceased production in 1980.

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Aston Martin DB6 Volante -

Produced from 1965 to 1971, the DB6 Volante never achieved the celebrity afforded the DB5 of James Bond fame, though it gained some milage when Prince Charles, the future King Charles III, took possession of a soft-top version, the same car driven by his son Prince William on the occasion of his marriage to Kate Middleton (pictured) on April 29, 2011.

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Lotus Elan -

Produced by British automotive manufacturer Lotus Cars, the Elan debuted in 1962. The car's designed provided inspiration for the original 1989 Mazda Miata.

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Triumph Stag -

In 1970's England, every red-blooded male, it seemed, desired a Triumph Stag. A sports tourer that was sold between 1970 and 1978 by the British Triumph Motor Company, the car owed its streamlined styling to Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti.

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Mazda MX-5 -

The Mazda MX-5, marketed in the United States as the Mazda Miata, owes it original design to the Lotus Elan. Produced since 1989 by Japanese automotive manufacturer Mazda, this is the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history, according to Guinness World Records.

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Porsche Boxster -

Released in 1997, the Porsche Boxster is one of the most endearing two-door, two-seater convertible roadsters. Pictured is the sleek Porsche AG 718 Boxster.

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Jaguar XK8 -

Jaguar launched its XK8 grand tourer in 1998, available in two-door coupé or two-door convertible body styles and powered by a V8 engine. The drop-top proved popular, though production of both models ceased in 2006.

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Audi TT -

The Audi TT roadster was manufactured and marketed by Audi from 1999 to 2023 across three generations. An appealing feature is the car's soft top, which opens fully in 10 seconds flat.

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Honda S2000 -

First shown as a concept car called the SSM at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995, production of the Honda S2000 began in 1999, to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. Production ceased in 2009, but the S2000 remains highly regarded as a modern classic car.

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BMW E46 M3 -

When it was launched in 1999, BMW marketed the M3 E46 as a "driving machine for the ages," with the convertible version "combining a sporty experience and the luxury of open-top driving in an unprecedented way." 

Sources: (Guinness World Records)

See also: The best cars for your next road trip

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