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(NC)-It's the time of year again when convertible lovers take to the road to enjoy open air motoring and the feeling of swashbuckling adventure. Whether whizzing along the highway or ambling down a country road, spring brings back the fun of alfresco motoring.
In the beginning all cars were open, derived from carriages and buggies. But as cars became more reliable and were used year round, motorists sought better weather protection. By 1925 more closed cars were being sold than open ones.
But although they shrank to a small part of the market, convertibles were still the glamour wagons of the automotive world.
Their allure and romance never died.
Following the unhappy 1930s, and the deprivation of the Second World War, people were ready to celebrate the good times and optimism of the 1950s and '60s.
Convertibles flourished. Who can forget those beautiful 1955-'56-'57 Chevy convertibles, so popular then and still sought after today. Or low two-seater Thunderbirds, early Corvettes and little English sports cars. Or the huge, tailfinned, chrome-laden 1959 Cadillac Eldorado convertible that wags called the epitome of Wretched Excess, but is now one of the most popular collectibles.
Or those sporty little 1960s Mustangs.
But then the 1970s brought oil crises, emission controls and fuel economy concerns. Motoring fun died, and the American convertible with it. The 1976 Cadillac Eldorado was called "The Last Convertible in America."
Better times brought them back, led by the 1982 Chrysler LeBaron convertible, followed by Buick, Ford and Chevrolet.
Convertibles are now flourishing, and better than ever, some with metal retractible power roofs like the Pontiac G6 that offer alfresco motoring as well as snug closed car comfort.
Led by General Motors with six convertibles, including the exciting new Saturn Sky, it's once more a golden age for the open car.