Preferring open top motoring in the winter. Madness?

[Fishy Dave]

I used to drive my race Caterham around in all weathers, but no heater meant an investment in a 12v heated jacket (Gerbing) was money well spent.





Pleased I retrofitted heated seats to my Z4M Roadster this year, roof down every day now unless it's raining.

[Rossco2010]

[quote=Patrick Bateman]Can anyone recommend decent gloves that aren't proper driving gloves but still give decent grip of the wheel?

I find "tactical" shooting gloves are ideal - they're usually very close fitting, leather to give a good grip and have pre-curved finger to fit the wheel. Plus they're tough as old boots and last for years. I've had a pair of these for 8 years or more:

http://www.military1st.co.uk/products/59341-019-5....

[hondafanatic]

CambsBill said:

What's all this nonsense about roof down?

Check out Mr Softy with his fancy ass windscreen. Southern woolly woofer

Ps... You car is on my lottery list. Very happy for you and obviously jealous

[5harp3y]

2.5 degrees yesterday, out all day in the z3 with the roof off

[woodsypedia]

The wind chill is rediculous. I don't wear a helmet so 5 degrees in the air is -5 degrees on the ears.

[anonymous-user]

Sorry but roof down in the cold weather is a cringer just like any bloke still wearing shorts this time of year is.

[JM]

big_rob_sydney said:

Found ice on the windscreen this morning.

You lot are fruitloops, all of you!

I often had ice on the inside of the windscreen in the Elise.

[bigmowley]

Taken in October! But used all year round, even in the rain! Love it.

[ClassicMercs]

SLK - been out as low as -5c. Will only go out when its dry on the road though - less cleaning.
Heater on - heated seats on - coat - hat - and MrsMercs sat there as well - not complaining either.
The only bit that was getting cold was your leg nearest the door - whichever seat you were sat in - the wind seems to swirl back round and into area.
Remember blasting past an older bloke out in his SL65 on rural roads - with his roof up. Bit of mutual admiration - me of his car and him of our ''madness''.

[akirk]

Raygun said:

Sorry but roof down in the cold weather is a cringer just like any bloke still wearing shorts this time of year is.

Really?!
Another here with hood down all year and all weathers other than heavy rain or hail
Z3 lives under a half cover this time of year which means it is unfrozen / ready to go, heated seats on, heater on, straight six in front of you, what is not to like?!
Wearing shorts though would be silly

[Tickle]

akirk said:

Raygun said:

Sorry but roof down in the cold weather is a cringer just like any bloke still wearing shorts this time of year is.

Really?!
Another here with hood down all year and all weathers other than heavy rain or hail
Z3 lives under a half cover this time of year which means it is unfrozen / ready to go, heated seats on, heater on, straight six in front of you, what is not to like?!
Wearing shorts though would be silly

I see it being similar to going for a jog or walk on a sunny winters day, just a nice way to get some fresh air or just enjoy being outdoors. Warm clothing keeps you comfy.

[Iva Barchetta]

Raygun said:

Sorry but roof down in the cold weather is a cringer just like any bloke still wearing shorts this time of year is.

You'll find yourself in the minority in this thread.

[the pips]

Out yesterday in my 1985 SL500. The lower half of your body is kept toasty by the heater. A Nautica jacket, beanie and gloves and a couple of hours glorious (and occasionally speedy) driving. Lovely!

[anonymous-user]

Iva Barchetta said:

You'll find yourself in the minority in this thread.

I think your right there.
Has to be baking hot before the roof comes down I'm afraid.

[Patrick Bateman]

That sounds more like how an average punter on the street would view it, not realising it's not all about temperature ( for most), it's about sights, sounds, smells and just the overall special feeling you get with the roof down.

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Wednesday 30th November 23:02

[James1972]

Completely agree, snowballs can be an issue if driving near urchins though !
Test drove a MK1 MX5 when it was below freezing in Newcastle. They didn't mention having to unzip the rear screen.....
Queue lots of "conversation" about how would sir like to buy the car now he had wrecked it ? Rather sadly they didn't have a record of my name or address. They simply said nobody in their right mind would have put the roof down in that weather so they didn't need to warn me about the rear screen splitting if I did that.
Didn't have that problem in the MK2 I eventually bought but the roof definitely didn't like going up and down in the cold - had a new one under warranty.

[MrADC]

Winter tyres, heated seats, decent jacket and hat - roof down from Loch Lomond to Loch Shiel, no better way to see snowy highlands on a crystal,clear day. Not much other traffic about either!

[anonymous-user]

My excuse is the salt would kill my car.

[steve51800]

Patrick Bateman said:

Can anyone recommend decent gloves that aren't proper driving gloves but still give decent grip of the wheel?

Need to get a hat and a scarf for the winter too.

Personally I have a pair of sealskinz windproof gloves, toasty hands on the coldest roof down days.

[chandrew]

john2443 said:

MarshPhantom said:

Anyone on here?

No, but I drove my Spitfire all year round with the roof off unless it was raining, including when it had snowed. I did put it in the garage or put the roof up when it snowed though!

(This was when it was my only car and wasn't a classic, it was only a few years old)

Yes, same here. Best drive was Liverpool - London on New Years day 1994 with the roof down and tonneau on. The Spitfire heater did a great job even at motorway speeds.