Spring is here, time to open the roof!
If you look at the current new car offers, you will quickly discover that the convertible is dying out. Of course, there are still open-top cars in the upper and top price segments, but below EUR/CHF 30,000 the range is very, very limited.
The alternative to a new convertible car is, of course, an open-top classic, because the choice here is large and varied. Not only have these cars often been looked after and are in good condition, they are also very inexpensive and there is no longer any need to worry about major depreciation.
This week, we had the opportunity to compare three interesting classic convertibles from three decades, which the Oldtimer Galerie will be auctioning off in Toffen on March 22, 2025 . What they have in common is their openness, but also an attractive price level. Interestingly, the three cars also cover the entire engine spectrum of six, eight and twelve cylinders.
The Mercedes-Benz E 320 as a convertible (pictured above) is probably the most sensible of the three options, on which we will of course be publishing extensive articles shortly. With four full-size seats, the "Benz" is a car for the whole family, and there is also a usable trunk. The enduring nature and knowledge that the W124 series was built very successfully and in large numbers inspires confidence.
The Jaguar XJ-SC from the mid-1980s is much more exotic. Only 2915 left-hand drive cars with the unorthodox roof construction were built. The Targa Cabriolet impressed with its customizable ventilation and the qualities that set the often underestimated XJS series apart from many of its competitors.
The Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa is the most modern car in this trio, as evidenced not only by the presence of a six-speed automated manual gearbox, but also by a large LCD screen in the center console and many warning lights in a second LCD screen between the instruments. At least the clock is still analog. As a pure two-seater with a very spacious luggage compartment, the Maserati, which is equipped with a fully automatic soft top, has contemporary travel qualities.
Open-top driving is simply fun, whether you prefer to do this in a classic Jaguar, a sensible Mercedes-Benz or a hot-blooded Maserati is more a question of personal preference. And perhaps the financial reserves, should something go wrong.
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