Does an aesthetically pleasing 4 seater convertible exist?

[Legend83]

Was reading a thread the other day, can't remember which, where someone posted a picture of a 6 series convertible (I think) and it garnered several comments about how cack it looked.

It got me thinking - are there any 4 seater convertibles, past or present, that work from an eye-pleasure perspective? Roof up and/or down.

Band-wagon st like the Ford Focus 'CC' make me want to puke.

The E46 M3 looks decent with the tin on but then looks a bit odd with 4 head-rests sticking out with the tin down.

Thoughts?

[bigandclever]

Phwooaarr etc.

[fathomfive]

Audi Convertible - based on the 80 and owned by Princess Diana
Audi A4
Volvo C70 - the first folding hardtop version

[Birdster]

I quite like these.

[shake n bake]

Yes, the Volvo c70 is a lovely looking car I think, my girlys folks have one and it catches my eye every time I see it.

[JuniorD]

Yes. W124 convertible, pure quality and still the daddy




http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

[anonymous-user]

Yes, loads of old American stuff. Like this with a hard top



One with top down

[Hasbeen]

As a Triumph enthusiast, I think the Stag looks pretty right, & yes the Peugeot 306 looked quite good. Pity the one I bought a daughter required so much electrical repairs to keep the hood working, & drove the wrong wheels.

There have not been many since WW11, but the 1948 Buick convertible I saw the other day was very handsome.

[anonymous-user]

Not many of them in truth. Particularly with folding hard tops if they have a 2 piece roof you end up with really weird proportions and a boot bigger than the bonnet, which is never a good look.

I'd go for the 2nd Gen Volvo C70



Although I did see a folding tin top Astra the other day that actually looked pretty good with the roof up. Not sure about with the roof down. I also think the Audi A4 looked great but the current A5 has the same sagging gut styling on the flanks that makes the coupe look so flaccid.

[Rovinghawk]

Saab convertible- very pretty.

[Qwert1e]

E46 convertible simply rules the territory IMO.

[kambites]

I think there have been plenty in the past. However, the rising bonnet lines caused by pedestrian safety legislation and testing has made even more of a mess of convertibles than it has of saloons and coupes because the amount of metal above the wheels is more obvious.

[Lost soul]

[anonymous-user]

Oh, these too if we are considering past or present:

[crofty1984]

No love for the E30 BMW?

[kambites]

crofty1984 said:

No love for the E30 BMW?

I think all of the 3-series convertibles prior to the E93 were quite well proportioned.

[velocitas]

I think the advent of the hardtop roof has spoiled the 4 seater cabriolet look. One exception being the E93 which managed to retain mostly the same shape as the coupe though hardly beautiful. My suggestions:

Audi A5
Ford Mustang
Ferrari California T technically a 2+2
Jaguar XK though as above
Maser Grancabrio mentioned earlier
Mercedes E Class
Porsche 911 991 is growing on me, prev gen had a big arse

Avoid
Megane / EOS / Astra etc.

[HarryW]

Lost soul said:

Love that

[anonymous-user]

kambites said:

I think there have been plenty in the past. However, the rising bonnet lines caused by pedestrian safety legislation and testing has made even more of a mess of convertibles than it has of saloons and coupes because the amount of metal above the wheels is more obvious.

True, though I think it can still work well on a car with naturally 'chunkier' styling, I think these work well:

[kambites]

velocitas said:

Avoid
Megane / EOS / Astra etc.

Hmm, I think the previous generation Astra TwinTop is probably the best looking four-seater folding hardtop type thing. New one doesn't work quite so well, mind.