For car geeks, a phrase like “vintage convertibles” rings multiple bells. Are we talking about refined luxury vehicles, drop-top sports cars, or muscular slabs?
This list considers all three. However, only two metrics must be met for a car to make it on this list:
A.) It has a retractable roof.
B.) It makes us weak in the knees, either stylistically or spec-wise.
Since most of these cars need no introduction anyway, here are 13 vintage convertibles that'll leave you swooning.
1957 Ford Thunderbird
Nothing says 1950s America quite like the 1955 Ford Thunderbird, one of our all-time favorite cars, whether the top is hard or soft. But turning this fly two-seat luxury machine into a convertible and “swooning” is an understatement.
The Ford Thunderbird, with a V8 engine and a larger body than the sporty cruisers of its time, reigned supreme from 1955 to 1967. There's no ugly duckling in the bunch, but the '57 makes our knees buckle the hardest.
1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
In the States, classic '50s cars symbolized hope following the World Wars and the following depression. And the Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz was the crown jewel of wealth and status that ruled them all.
The Eldorado series is one of the most iconic batches of cars to rip out of the chrome-and-tail-fin era. The Biarritz drop-top edition keeps the glamorous interior, white wall tires, and signature body but ditches the roof to make our hearts skip a beat.
1961 Jaguar E-Type (XKE)
As a monumental representation of the sophisticated British sports car scene, the Jaguar E-Type convertible was ahead of its time. It boasted the long, swooping Jaguar hood and sunken-in headlights that'd come to be expected from high-end '60s cars. But the E-Type hit the streets way back in 1961.
The Jaguar E-Type convertible, with its power-tuned inline-six engine, is legendaryly smooth to drive. From the moment it was born, its distinct shape and aerodynamic build were regarded as artful and progressive.
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda
The 1970 Mercedes-Benz 28-SL Pagoda stocked a removable hard-top, which could snap on to compliment the signature concave structure from which it takes its name. A pagoda, after all, is a temple, and this one fills us with the spirit.
The SL series sets the bar for classic Mercedes. 1970–1971 tends to hit the sweet spot between mechanical advancements and tightening emissions control regulations. But beyond the specs, the look and feel of the '70 Mercedes-Benz Pagoda convertible tends to leave us swooning.
1967 Triumph Spitfire
Triumph has long since staffed some of the most innovative engineers in the automotive world. Today, their bread and butter are performance-focused motorcycles, but they started as a high-class car manufacturer. In the early 60s, Triumph launched the Spitfire, an elegant two-seater sports car with an open top, in their effort to target Austin-Healey directly.
The Spitfire was in production for 18 years, from 1962 to 2980. Our favorite has to be the '67 due to the upgraded 1296cc MkIII engine. The MkII offered the most accessible power, and the Spitfire's updated '67 aesthetic makes our hearts flutter.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible
Muscle car enthusiasts run out of breath celebrating the '69 Camaro SS, but we don't think it gets nearly enough love in convertible convos. The SS convertible couples the legendary performance and iconic Camaro design with bold style.
The SS convertible keeps the signature spoiler and retro-future headlights but loses the top. Chevy also color-matched the racing stripe to the convertible's interior, resulting in a jaw-dropping joy-rider.
1965 Shelby Cobra 427
Nothing sings us to sleep like an old Shelby Cobra, and with souped-up racing specs and swooping retro style, the '65 Cobra 427 convertible makes us coo.
The Shelby Cobra 427 stocks a whopping 7-liter V8 motor tubed to roast the track. Drop the top, and the legendary trackster becomes an exhilarating pleasure cruiser.
1954 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Starfire Convertible
The Oldsmobile 98 is among our favorite luxury car entries, thanks to its robust V8 power and rustic, hard-boiled style. The convertible edition adds an air of elegance by showcasing the refined interior.
There were 6,800ninty-Eight Starfire Convertible. It stoked the celebrated Oldsmobile Rocket Engine, a 324-cubic-inch V8 that sailed this boat at 185 horsepower.
1976 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
The Volkswagon Beetle became a counter-cultural icon of the 1960s, and by the 1970s, Volkswagon was pumping out love bugs for a whole new generation.
One of the grand prizes of the Beetle legacy is the Beetle convertible, an open-top version of the iconic classic. Beetle collectors are often driven to get their hands on a pre-80s Beetle convertible, so don't expect to find it cheap or easily.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
The second-generation Chevy Bel-Air is an iconic classic in any form. Unique body shapes, hard-flaring tail fins, excessive chrome trim, and class-busting V8 make Bel Air's of this period the quintessential edition.
But the Bel Air convertible is the Bel Air's final form. A roomy cab, low chassis, and the lack of a roof make this the definitive 50s drive-in party-mobile
1962 Porsche 356 Speedster
A chopped windshield, low-hanging chassis, and rear-mounted motor make the Porsche 356 Speedster as instantly recognizable as any convertible before or after. The 356 drop-top is a hot commodity among classic car collectors–we understand why it's so easy to swoon over.
Since the 1950s, the Porsche 356 speedster has been as fun to drive as it is to look at. There are also 1950s convertible Porsche models that'll make your heart skip a beat. But the 62-year-old model hits the sweet spot between specs, style, and distinguished decorum, making it our top choice.
1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible
It's hard to imagine, but by 1961, the Lincoln Continental was already in generation 4. With a 462ci V8 under the hood, it was clear that Lincoln built the fourth generation to break hearts.
The '61 Continental Convertible featured an electronically retractable top, rear-hinged “suicide” doors, and a tilt steering wheel, making it the perfect between-decade choice for drop-top coastal cruising. The Lincoln Continental symbolized luxury, comfort, and status, and we hate to be shallow, but boy, does it leave us swooning.
1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible
It’s no secret that your author is a fan of muscle cars, slabs, and dragsters. The GTO is the car that invented the muscle car category. Much like the SS convertible discussed earlier, the convertible represents the GTO in ideal cruising form.
The Pontiac GTO had a 389ci V8 engine and could go from 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds. It was in production from 1964 to 1974, but the convertible edition was only available until 1968. With its beefy style, vertically stacked dual headlights, and open top, the ‘66 GTO convertible is the ultimate knee-buckling joyrider.
