Autos: A Tear for the Convertible

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In the beginning, all cars were roofless carriages that exposed their hardy riders to billowing dust, scorching sunshine and drenching rain. Soon pioneers of the automobile spread a canvas canopy over their heads, and the convertible was born. The Peerless Motor Car Corp. of Cleveland introduced its Cape Folding Top in 1905; the "California top"—a removable steel roof with glazed windows—came along in the '20s to decorate the touring car. For the young at heart, whizzing down a highway in an open convertible became the epitome of driving fun. Plymouth made a big hit with prewar youth by bringing out a pushbutton automatic top in 1939.

Today, the convertible is on the wane. Thunderbird and Cadillac Eldorado convertibles were quietly dropped last fall for lack of buyer interest. American Motors is dropping them next year from its Rambler and Ambassador lines, and Ford is ending its Lincoln Continental convertible line. In 1963, convertibles accounted for 6.6% of all new cars sold. For 1966, less than 5% were convertibles.

The safety consciousness that has swept the nation is partly the cause; with or without seat belts, no one likes the thought of turning over in a soft-top car. Another complaint comes from the girls—and some of the boys as well—who cannot stand having their hair mussed by a buffeting wind.

But the dealers say the convertible's decline is largely caused by a blast of cold air. Air conditioning is the big extra in demand these days. Instead of going for a convertible, a buyer chooses a sporty job—maybe a hard-top with vinyl covering—installs air conditioning, and figures that's real cool.