This is a Chevrolet Suburban from 2004. The “three-quarter ton” part is about how heavy-duty the truck platform is—basically, it’s built to handle heavier loads than a typical SUV.
The cabin air filter is the filter that cleans the air coming into the car’s heating and A/C. Changing it can help keep the air cleaner and fresher inside.
A four-speed automatic is an automatic gearbox with four forward gears. It’s an older design, so it may shift differently than newer cars with more gears.
Convertible top care just means how you clean and protect the fabric/roof on a drop-top car. Doing it the right way helps it last longer and keeps water from getting in.
Vinyl tops are the plastic-like roofs on some convertibles. They can dry out and crack over time, so you want to use the right cleaners and protect them from sun.
Canvas tops are the fabric roofs on some convertibles. They need special cleaning and protection so they stay water-resistant and don’t wear out quickly.
A power top is the automatic convertible roof that goes up and down at the push of a button. Because it uses motors and mechanisms, it needs more attention to make sure everything moves smoothly.
Manual folding means you fold the convertible roof down yourself using latches and moving parts. Since there’s no motor doing the work, you mainly check that the latches and hinges are tight and moving correctly.
Pivot points are the hinge areas where the convertible roof moves around. If they get loose or worn, the roof can move unevenly or feel “off” when you open and close it.
A 1966 Pontiac GTO is a classic muscle car, and the convertible version has a roof that needs special care. Here, they’re talking about checking the parts that hold the roof mechanism together so it stays tight and works smoothly.
“Electric over hydraulic” means the roof uses electricity to control a hydraulic system. The hydraulic fluid does the physical moving, so you may need to check both the electrical control side and the hydraulic parts if the roof acts up.
Hydraulic fluid is the special liquid that makes the hydraulic system work. If there isn’t enough (or it’s not in good shape), the convertible top can act up.
A shoulder bolt is a bolt shaped to fit a joint precisely. If one is missing, the convertible top parts may not line up, so the top can’t fold into place correctly.
A remanufactured kit is a set of replacement parts that have been rebuilt to work again. It’s often used when a specific piece for the convertible top is hard to find.
On a soft-top convertible, the roof isn’t just manually folded—it’s a system of moving parts that folds the fabric in the right order. It usually uses powered controls to coordinate the steps so the top can stow properly in the trunk.
Term
canvas vinyl
Canvas and vinyl are common soft-top materials used on convertibles. They differ in feel and durability, but both can be affected by harsh detergents, abrasive brushes, and improper washing techniques.
A vinyl soft top is a convertible roof made from vinyl (plastic-like material). You clean it with gentle products and soft brushes so it doesn’t get scratched or stained.
They’re describing a water-repellent effect—like when rain beads up on the roof and runs off instead of soaking in. That usually comes from a protective spray made for convertible tops.
Brand
303
303 is a brand of car-care products. The host is saying they’ve tried it on a convertible top and it helped.
These are sprays you put on a fabric convertible top to help it resist water and dirt. The goal is to make the top shed moisture instead of soaking it up.
The Ford Mustang is a famous American car. Here, the host is talking about what it’s like to drive one as a convertible—especially when it’s hot and you’re stuck in traffic.
The Volvo C70 is a Volvo convertible that uses a hard roof. The host explains that the rubber seals and gaskets matter a lot, because if one gets pinched or unclipped, rain can leak in.
A hard top convertible is a car where the roof is solid, but it still folds away. The important part is that the roof seals and the area where the roof stores have to stay clean so rain doesn’t get in.
The Mercedes SL is a luxury convertible roadster. The host is saying that with hard-top convertibles, you have to keep the rubber seals and roof storage area clean so rain doesn’t get inside.
In a convertible, seals and gaskets are the rubber interfaces that form a watertight barrier between the roof and the body. If they get dirty, worn, or slightly mispositioned, water can bypass the barrier and leak into the cabin.
The BYD Seal is an electric car made by BYD. The podcast talks about checking the rubber seals and gaskets, which help keep water and air from getting inside. It’s a practical maintenance point for keeping the car protected.
When the roof goes down, it has to tuck into a hidden space in the car. That space has drains, and if they’re clogged, water can build up and cause leaks.
Convertible tops have drain paths to move rainwater away. If those drains get clogged, water can back up and end up where it shouldn’t—like inside the car.
The BMW Z3 is a small BMW roadster. The host brings it up because convertible tops have storage areas, and if the drainage gets blocked, water can build up and cause leaks.
The Ford Model T is a very old car that helped make automobiles common. Many of them were roadsters, which are open-top cars. The podcast is connecting it to the early idea of fun two-seat open driving.
The hosts are talking about closed cars—cars with a roof—becoming more desirable. They’re contrasting that with early open-top designs that were less convenient.
Support bows are the curved metal supports that keep a convertible roof rigid. The hosts are explaining that early tops could fold by moving those supports out of the way, and later designs got easier and better at keeping weather out.
Convertible top speed limits are the rules for how fast you can be when you move the roof. Cars often have safety systems that won’t let the top operate above a certain speed.
A power-operated convertible is a convertible whose roof mechanism can be raised and lowered using powered actuation (rather than only manual folding). In early implementations, the system could be hydraulic or electric, and the key shift is convenience plus more consistent operation.
Some convertible tops use engine vacuum pressure to help move the roof. If the vacuum isn’t strong enough, the top can act a little unreliable.
Car
Plymouth convertible
The segment credits the 1939 Plymouth convertible as an early volume-production example of a power top using vacuum operation. It’s notable because it helped make the “push-button” convertible experience mainstream.
Concept
post world war two
They’re talking about the time after World War II, when more people started buying cars and new styles became popular. That’s when convertibles really took off.
Servos are small motors that help control moving parts precisely. In a retractable roof, they help coordinate the roof so it goes in and out correctly.
Term
electronic boards
Those “electronic boards” are the car’s control electronics. They help make sure the roof mechanism moves in the right order and at the right times.
Air conditioning (A/C) is what cools the inside of the car. The episode is saying that when A/C became popular in the 1970s, fewer people felt they needed a convertible just to be comfortable.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a small, lightweight convertible that’s designed to be fun to drive. The host is saying it helped bring back the idea of a simple, enjoyable roadster.
Pop-up headlights are headlights that rise out of the front of the car when you turn them on, then go back down. It’s a distinctive design feature you’ll see on some older sports cars.
A retractable hard top is a convertible roof made of rigid panels that can fold away, unlike a fabric soft top. It typically offers better insulation and a more “solid” look when closed, while still allowing open-air driving when retracted.
The BMW M3 is BMW’s high-performance version of the 3 Series. Here they’re talking about an M3 variant with a retractable hard top, so it can switch between open-air driving and a more solid “roof on” look.
The Ferrari 550 Barchetta is a special Ferrari convertible that’s meant to be enjoyed with the top down. The host says it looks amazing open, but not as good with the top up because the roof makes the shape look awkward.
Concept
convertible roof-up vs roof-down styling
A lot of convertibles look best with the top down because the car’s shape was designed around that view. When you put the roof up, the proportions can look awkward—exactly what the host is describing with the Ferrari.
The Ferrari 550 Maranello is a high-end sports car made by Ferrari. It’s designed for fast, comfortable long-distance driving. The podcast is talking about how it looks, including the Barchetta version.
This is a Porsche 911 convertible. The host is talking about the older 1980s-era style, and it’s famous for the 911’s classic look and rear-engine character.
The Subaru R2 is a very small car designed for city driving. It’s in a special compact category meant to be efficient and easy to park. The podcast brings it up as an unexpected example because it’s so small compared to other cars discussed.
The Chevrolet SSR is a weird, cool vehicle that looks like an old-school car but is actually based on a pickup. It also came with a convertible-style concept, which is why the host calls it quirky.
A six-speed manual is a car where you shift gears yourself with a clutch and a stick. It has six gear steps instead of fewer, which can help the engine feel more responsive or efficient.
This is a Dodge Dakota pickup that was made as a convertible by the factory. Instead of being a normal pickup with a custom conversion shop kit, it was an official Chrysler/Dodge product. It’s famous because it’s such a weird idea: a convertible top on a pickup.
“Factory authorized” means the convertible configuration was approved and produced by the manufacturer, not created afterward by a third-party shop. That matters because factory builds typically have more consistent fitment, wiring, and structural planning than random conversions. In this case, it’s used to distinguish the Dodge Dakota convertible from the many coach-built conversions that start with cars never intended to be convertibles.
A roll bar is a safety frame meant to protect you if the vehicle tips over. On some convertibles, it also helps support the roof setup. The hosts mention it because the Dakota’s convertible design is built around that frame.
Coach builders are businesses that take an existing car and change its body style—like making it into a convertible. The hosts are saying most convertibles come from these custom builders, but the Dakota convertible was different because it was done by the manufacturer.
The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car made by Cadillac. It’s known for being comfortable and stylish. The podcast mentions it while talking about classic cars and certain features Cadillac offered in some years.
A Landau top is a roof style that looks like a convertible’s top, often with a different color or panel pattern. It’s usually more about the look than actually having a real convertible roof.
The Buick Park Avenue is a comfortable, older-style American luxury sedan. Here it’s mentioned because it had a Landau-style roof that looks like a convertible top.
Car
Maserati TC
The Maserati TC is a rare Maserati from the 1980s. In this discussion, the key point is that it uses a hardtop that can come off as one piece, so it can switch between roof-on and roof-off driving.
A one-piece hardtop is a solid roof panel that comes off in one piece. It’s different from a fabric convertible top because it’s rigid and can be removed to open the car up.
The Ford Mustang GTD is a performance-focused Mustang. The podcast is talking about a claimed 1992 Mustang GT convertible with very low mileage, which would make it unusual. The focus is on how rare and well-kept it sounds.
“Original miles” refers to the vehicle’s mileage remaining as it was when the car was first delivered, or at least the seller’s claim that the odometer reading hasn’t been altered and reflects the car’s true usage. In collector-car listings, low original mileage is often used to justify a higher price and to signal less wear.
A “Marty report” is a paid document that helps confirm what a Ford car was originally built with. It’s used to back up claims that the car still matches its factory configuration.
Term
stub tow
A “stub tow” is a short tow—basically moving a car a short distance. Here they’re joking that they’re so close to buying the car they could almost tow it home.
This is a 1992 Chevrolet Corvette (the C4 generation) in convertible form. The big deal is that it’s a manual and has the LT1 V8, which is the kind of setup Corvette fans usually look for.
Computer-selectable suspension means the car can electronically switch between different damping/handling modes. The speaker notes this Corvette does not have it, implying a simpler setup that’s often preferred by enthusiasts for feel and straightforwardness.
When an ad says “new brakes,” it usually means the brake parts were replaced recently. That can be good because it may save you from doing brake work soon after buying.
The Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is a rare open-top version of the Murano. It’s not a typical convertible, so the host is curious why someone would choose it.
The Nissan Murano is a midsize SUV meant for everyday comfort. It’s built to be practical, with a higher seating position than a sedan. The podcast is asking about ownership of a Murano variant.
LIVE
You can be driving down the highway, put the top down, why not? Enjoy.
Yeah, don't try that with the Mustang, Ian.
Don't. No, I will not try. try that at home.
Yeah, one way to really slow it down. Oh, my brakes don't work.
Yeah, you can just lower the top down real quick.
Yeah, like a parachute. Yeah, that.
Oh, no.
Well, there goes Ian. Like...
Hello, everybody. Welcome back to the Life Plus Cars podcast.
This is Ian joining me as always over on the other side of the mic.
Brendan Bailey.
Yeah, there he is. Brendan, we're back. The legend.
Yep, I'm back. We had a slight little hiatus on recording
and because I had myself a little bit of a back issue
so been in and out of the hospital.
I'm doing better and we had to just continue the conversation
on the car front, obviously, because when I'm talking about cars,
I'm not thinking about back pain. So there you go.
That's right. It's the best medicine.
Yes, yes. And what's not the best medicine
is trying to get in and out of a Corvette with a back problem.
Unless it's a convertible in the top step.
Right. Not the most ergonomic to get in and out of.
Especially when you're 6'6". That is not helpful.
No, yeah. That's a little bit of an, yeah,
I can only imagine the acrobatics needed.
Oh, yeah. But we're back.
It's good to be here with my best buddy Ian talking about cars.
Oh, yeah. It's fantastic.
So Ian, what have you been up to?
Give us a quick little rundown of anything recent car wise you've been doing.
You have it. So for the listener, right,
we're recording this like, you know, right around mid to end of April.
So we're starting to get cars out starting to wake things up.
So Mustang, yes or no?
Not yet though soon.
My phone reminded me of that four years ago.
It was when I bought the Mustang.
So that was an exciting anniversary to see.
So I've now owned the car for four years,
which is amazing and all the things that that car has opened up
and in my life and experiences I've gotten to have because of it.
So and I got to tip my hat to you, Brendan.
You were the one that that led me to that car and.
Oh, stop. Stop making me blush.
Terrible.
For the listener, Brendan was not going to leave that one alone.
He was.
Oh, yeah.
If you don't buy it, I'm going to. It's a good deal.
You won't regret it.
Yep. That was, I remember that line.
He's been hard and he's, I don't know. Oh my God.
He bought it and he's been there just grinning from year to year ever since.
Oh, I.
Yep. You got it.
Yep.
I just, yeah, I remember that, that line from you saying like,
if you will regret not buying this car and like that stayed with me.
Like, yep.
Yeah.
Yep. Absolutely.
And I mean, just like think about it.
You always say smiles per gallon,
but just think about how happy you have been with that car
and how much enjoyment you get from it, you know, as crazy car people,
you know, I have the conversation all the time with people like it's a car.
Like what, why do you get excited?
And it's like, you just, you're not a crazy car person.
You don't get it.
It's like they bring so much enjoyment.
Yes.
Crazy car person.
They do.
Yep.
It just gets into your soul and that kind of car just brings it to life.
That whole side of yourself.
So.
Well, it's also with you.
It's so poetic because you, like you've always wanted the Mustang,
like the first gen Mustang.
Yes.
Like always.
That's always been your dream car.
And then you got it.
Yep.
You're living the dream.
I manifested that long ago.
I just, yeah, I had that picture of it and, and then it came into my life.
Stay tuned listener.
The Mustang will be back, back in action soon.
Top down driving on the way.
Can't wait.
Oh, good to hear it Ian.
Good to hear it.
Yeah.
For me, I mean, obviously, like I mentioned, the, the back stuff going on.
So I've, I've been very much like, you know, putt putting, right?
Like not, not doing a lot just in recovery mode.
But the big thing for the listener that I want to share is like a little update is
I got Belinda back.
Belinda.
So you might have heard like from little bits and pieces throughout the show over the last,
you know, year that I had this 2004 suburban three quarter ton with the 81 and I've
been, it's needed rust rehab.
And just before my back surgery, I got it back and she's beautiful.
She looks so good.
So I've just been doing like little stuff that I've put off.
Like I put like, you know, fix some of the lights in the dash that weren't working,
you know, change the oil, some basic stuff, like clean up the inside, you know, change
the cabin air filter, you know, all this random stuff.
So I've just been getting reacquainted.
And today as we're recording this was the first day that I actually drove it around
really and ran a bunch of errands.
And I really missed that suburban.
So I'm very happy.
Well, I can hear it reunited after.
Yeah.
Peaches and herbs.
Long time.
Today I'm life was karaoke karaoke.
Yep.
Like life plus karaoke.
Yes.
Well, our latest segment.
Yep.
So it's been great.
It's just, you know, what's amazing too is like picking it up from the guy at the body
work is the thing that I forgot about it is how much torque it has.
Like it's just such a torque monster.
I mean, and I just love it's just a four speed automatic, not like these new six
and 10 and eight and whatever.
So I'm driving it.
I was like, oh, this is nice.
I miss this.
And also like minimal technology, like all analog gauges, right?
Like an old school radio, no touchscreen.
I was like, oh, hi, I miss that too.
All the buttons, everything.
Yeah.
You're built into the dash.
Freaking Frank Sinatra's greatest hits.
I was rocking out.
Yes.
Oh, I love this picture so much.
Oh, yeah.
Like, dang, there we go.
Little New York.
There we go.
New York, New York.
Yeah.
That's right.
Fly me to the moon.
Let me dance with Belinda.
So, so well deserved, Brandon, especially with all the headaches you've been going through
when we're glad you're back and feeling, feeling better than you also get reunited with
Bolinda, your Bolinda Suburban.
Oh, yeah.
It's been great.
And then, you know, like to your point about getting like your Mustang out, like it's
also in that time of the year where like I've been working with my father and getting
the cars out of storage and starting to get him going.
So, you know, we don't have all of them out yet, but we're slowly doing it.
I do a little burst of energy where I go out and work in the shop.
And then I'm like, I got to go ice my back.
And then, you know, so that's what I've been up to.
Well, that's all great to hear.
And glad the cars are breathing some new life into you here.
It always builds the excitement for what's to come here for the summer.
Oh, so exciting.
And, you know, it's just one step closer right to top down cruising, just rocking
the Buick and GTO and Corvette.
You know, there's nothing quite like having the convertible top down.
You know, even your Mustang, you know, it's just as the guy you bought it from said
it's like it's top down always.
Yes, it's a way of life.
Yep, which, which is honestly a great segue into the main focus of this episode is
we're talking about convertibles.
That's right.
Yep.
With this beautiful sunny day we had here, I was inspired.
I'm like, you know what it, this calls for a convertible.
Absolutely.
So, I mean, we're going to go into talking about like kind of where a convertible
came from designs of them, stuff like that.
But we're going to start it out with, I was just going to talk a little bit about
convertible top care, like how to care for your convertible top.
And this is really more specifically in regards to canvas tops, vinyl tops,
you know, things of that nature, like soft tops, as they would call it quote,
quote.
Right.
Because there are hard top convertibles out there, even back in the 50s and 60s,
they had hard top convertibles.
That's right.
It's, it's practical for me and for others out there who may have a convertible.
I mean, yeah, I have a canvas top with the, with the Mustang and it's good to look
after that since it's, it's a little bit of an older top and curious to learn more
and what you recommend here, Brendan.
Yeah.
So, so I would say really the big thing is there's two separate ones, right?
In terms of maintenance.
So one would be if it's like, say for example, a power top or even if it's manual folding,
right?
Which the difference is like you hit a button in it and it automatically drops the top down
or if you have to like get out of the car after undoing a latch and like manually drop
the top down, how you care for those mechanisms, right?
Or the device that causes it to fold down.
Older cars, you just want to basically check for things like making sure your hardware
is torqued properly because there's pivot points, right?
Like you have this metal cage.
Yeah.
That folds and then you have on top of it like a fabric or vinyl or canvas that kind of folds
with it and goes into the trunk area.
So there's all these little pivot points and like for example, like on my 66GTO convertible,
there's actually like screws and all these things that you can go in and check the tightness
of it.
They do have little springs and retainers and things that hold the bolts in place and
they're supposed to not back out or untighten.
But every once in a while, I'll always check those and really the best way to tell if there's
something going on with it is just to watch it as it goes up and down.
Just make sure it goes up and down evenly.
Then you know maybe there's something loose or whatever and then that's one thing.
And then the next would be like if it's a car that uses it, if it's a power top, how
does it raise and lower?
So like with Ian's Mustang or my GTO or stuff like you have a hydraulic, electric over hydraulic
pump that has hydraulic cylinders that actually control the top up and down.
So checking to make sure that your hydraulic system doesn't have any leaks and also checking
to make sure the hydraulic fluid's at the right level.
And they're all different, but I mean like I actually hate it because I mean I'm a big
man, 6x6 and I actually have to get in the trunk of like the GTO to check hydraulic fluid.
I mean the trunks on the old cars are big enough that I can fit, but it's a pain to do it.
But it's good because usually it is like just a little low so it's always good to check
that just to make sure it's got the right amount of fluid in it.
That's really the big one.
I mean even on the newer cars like I think like we had that 2003 Mercedes and that had
hydraulic top operation.
And that actually had you open the trunk and then there was like this reservoir and you
would have to check that every year because it usually leaks.
That's just as a big one.
So if you have any top operation issues, the first thing is to check obviously to make
sure the mechanism that opens and closes it, if it's power is up and running right and
the fluid's right and all that.
And then the other would be just hardware if you can access it.
Make sure all the hardware is there and it's working right.
Like I actually had a problem last year with the 65 Buick's top and it was doing this weird
thing where like as it would fold down it would like kick out in arm so it would like wouldn't
fold into its place like correctly.
And finally I found it was actually missing like this really specialized like shoulder
bolt that goes into one pivot point.
And thankfully it's something they remanufactured like you can buy a kit.
That's good.
So I bought it and put it in and it's fine right.
But I was like what the heck is going on with this thing.
It was like oh well that yeah that's pretty important.
Like okay.
Right.
It's such a delicate system really.
You described it well just like it's a cage unfolding and unfolding how I think about it.
It's just a metal skeleton that just has fabric attached and it's just like it's designed
right where the pivot points like pulls it back and then it's supposed to just fold
into itself.
I mean it's pretty impressive.
It is way more intricate designs out there like those old Lincoln's and stuff from like
the 60s that had like the full hard top convertible but it's like 42 million different things have
to happen to have it like go into the trunk of the car.
It's like what all these little like servos to like unlock the front and then unlock this
and then move that.
It's like oh my god.
It's crazy.
But that's either here nor there.
That's that's all under the umbrella of just checking the basic function but for the care
of like the actual material right so this is talking like soft top so canvas vinyl etc.
I mean I've always just washed it like you wash any other car right so like if you're
washing your car with car wash material right.
Yep.
Like whether it's canvas or vinyl or whatever like I'll just put it on there and then just
hit it with the sponge or a brush or whatever you use as long as it's not a like if it's
a canvas top you don't want to use one of those like frilly brushes or sponges that leaves
little pieces of material on it.
You know what I'm talking about.
Yes.
Yeah.
But just just wash it.
If you have like that it's dirty to the point where it's like it actually needs a little
bit more like the GTO's top is white so it's usually about once a year I'll have to wash
it and what I do is you don't want to use like a stiff bristle brush so what I mean is
like a typical if you're going to like a hardware store an auto parts store and you buy a brush
you're usually getting one that's got like nylon brushes and those are pretty stiff.
You want to get something and they're readily available but you want to get something like
a horse hair or a boar's hair brush that's like soft bristle brushes and you want to
use a gentle cleaner like a diluted simple green or a diluted like L.A.'s finest like
totally awesome cleaner like that and just kind of spritz that on and then just lightly
scrub it by hand with the soft bristle brush on your canvas or vinyl soft top and that
is the absolute best way to clean it and then once you clean it I don't generally do this
next step I'm about to talk about but once you clean it and it's dry they do make products
that you can spray on vinyl and really it's geared more towards canvas tops but you can
spray on it and it creates it almost like a water barrier or like a rain ex type of
effect like water hits it and your beads up and just you know rolls away and it protects
it yeah I've used some stuff from like 303 and some other brands that works pretty good
but I mean I stopped doing it years ago because I was just like if I just clean it and keep
it clean like I don't I don't need to do this extra protection step to it but it does have
a value to do that right that can conditioning step you mean yeah yeah exactly I mean think
of it like like you know quote unquote waxing the canvas top but it's not actually wax it's
you know you're treating it with something else right since though yeah I mean fabric canvas
vinyl it can all become brittle over time so yep so like the like what I'll do is if you
like to make the the Buick's top is black black vinyl mm-hmm and so for that like that will start
to look a little ratty because it's an older top and what I'll do is I actually use like
armor all or trim shine and like spray that on and then like kind of buff it out and that makes
it look quite nice for the black top yeah is the GTO a canvas top oh that's vinyl vinyl yeah I
know the Mustang far as I know is a canvas top and so do you have anything specific to canvas or
just some more kind of steps on the canvas I would say really it's up to you but I would say same
thing like you'd want to use like boar's hair or horse hair brush yeah spot clean it with like a
gentle cleaner yeah and then but with the canvas like if you want to to have added protection you
could add like some type of treatment or spray onto it that you spray onto like a dry top or I mean
sometimes they got to be wet but you spray it on and then it creates like this barrier to keep it
cleaner and keep the water off it so the fabric because it's that's the difference right like it's
actual fabric in a canvas versus vinyl it keeps the fabric from getting all soaking wet so right
yeah but I mean you know when it says but when it's a canvas top right or it's fabric
there all obviously are like you know water barriers in there so it's not going to leak
into the car so I mean like the 2001 Corvette I've got in the shop right now that's a fabric top
and you know I've never done a treatment to it but it's you know I do that if it's got a spot on it
like bird dropping or tree sap like I'll just spot clean it with the soft brush and you know it
cleans up just fine so in that car gets driven rain or shine so that's right made to be driven
including with the top up so much as we love top down driving whenever possible oh yeah sometimes
it's too hot and you got to put the top up with the air on or it's pouring rain so you know that is
true I can remember I think it was the first summer that I had with the Mustang and I took my parents
out for a drive and it was in the 90s like low 90s and we had to put the top up because we were
sitting in traffic and oh yeah it's so hot where I'm like okay yeah it's too much I've been there
I've been there oh yeah yeah so it does come to a point like okay this is we're just getting baked
in the sun here yep much as we love the top down yep and then last thing I'll say about
like top maintenance is if you go to like hard top convertible right so like I had a Volvo C70
that was a hard top convertible yep and then like I've worked on a Mercedes SL that had a
hard top convertible like it's really similar practice to the other tops but the big thing with
those is just to make sure that they're you know all the seals and everything like the rubber
gaskets and everything's just kind of clean like where it gets stored in the car and where all the
seams meet with each other just you want to get that opened up and you can even open them
like halfway and have it parked and it looks like a transformer and you can go around and clean that
stuff up and just check that stuff and make sure like I actually had my Volvo the C70 I remember
driving it in a rainstorm and it was leaking horribly right on to me oh no oh no what the
heck it had actually ended up being there was like this one gasket at the top where it met the
windshield it's like it got it had come unclipped and got like pinched where it met and you couldn't
really see it but it was like you know I actually pulled into a bank drive through and I was like
like what is happening yeah I was just like oh there's like this thing's pinched okay so I was
like I figured it out but it was like yeah wow right you wouldn't think that would be that big
of a deal but water was pouring into that baby right just that little bit makes the difference
yes yes and then yeah probably the single biggest thing with the hard top convertibles
though too is where they store the convertible top there's usually like a cavity that is like
meant for that I mean all cars are different but usually there's like a cavity for it just make
sure that the drains like the water drains for the tops are clear because there's nothing worse than
just having a leaky convertible I actually ran into this last summer with my mother's BMW Z3
they had a bunch of water on the floorboards on each side and the main reason was one of the drains
was totally clogged for where the convertible top like sits down in between the trunk and the
passenger compartment right so yeah all the things to keep in mind for fun top-down cruising
right yep it needs maintenance just like anything else so it's good to know and
being a convertible owner myself I do appreciate the the tips and tricks so keep that in mind as
we're getting ready for another driving season I always have to applaud people who have the top
down I know there's times when it's just too hot but every time people have the top down I'm like
yes doing it right yes thank you yes exactly it's which leads me to our our next segment which is
talking about where did convertibles come from in the first place because they're not that common
place though you see them enough that uh yeah they catch your eye I mean it's they are more unusual
than the everyday car for sure and it's a more of a choice than say you're just buying your everyday
SUV CV if somebody's buying a convertible it's it's for a style choice or whatever it might be
so I was curious and looking into it a little bit more of like okay where did the convertible
come from what's the story and interestingly I hadn't even thought about this but when you think
about some of the earliest cars they were the horseless carriages they didn't have a top so in
some ways the earliest cars were quote convertibles if you want to call them that because they didn't
even have a top right and talking about the earliest cars like the 1887 we were Carl Benz and as it
went forward there you think about like the Model T those were all roadsters those were that you could
get and so that was just more or less the the basic cars that you got started with and interestingly
like the coops became sort of a luxury item because the earlier early fabric tops convertible
tops tops were a little bit clunky so to have a closed top car at that time we're talking
like the the 20s the 30s that was a big deal because it was just like you were cocooned
in this this nice car that was shielded from the elements as opposed to some of those early
convertibles oh yeah I mean we're talking early like it's just like three bows and they just had
like this canvas they just drooped over the top and it's like that's you know we're they're going
10 miles per hour down main street like boy we are styling keeping the sun off of us yeah just
putt putt putt and yeah it's true I mean that was just the the little things there with those
early cars those little little small little innovations and it's funny to think when you see
Model T's in that kind of era and they do have just that big carriage looking top on it yet when
you think about our cars like the GTO the Buick the Mustang they has that similar kind of skeleton
right so it's interesting to see how that but how that same core idea has carried through the
idea of like a folding roof and then folding back on itself oh yeah yeah because I mean really
like you're talking about like even the you know the og or the very original first convertible
toss for very rudimentary but then it like graduated to like I was saying where it's like
they just had these support bows yes and then if you wanted to put the top down right either you
just fold the bows back and then it was just like they were just there but you just fold them back
so and then it moved up from there to like how do we make this a little bit more
ergonomical and like actually seal from the weather and then you get into the 40s 50s 60s and you get
more cars like you and I have and then they take it to the next level where now you've got freaking
cars that can go down the road at 50 miles per hour and then they can lower their top up and down
while they're driving it's like what usually it's like okay a car must be under 20 miles an hour
and then like nah you can you can be driving down the highway put the top down why not enjoy
yeah don't don't try that with the Mustang don't no I will not try that at home
yeah one way to really slow it down oh my brakes don't work here let me just lower the top down
yeah like a parachute yeah that oh no oh there goes in like I was looking at a little bit more
into the history and interestingly I'm reading that Plymouth offered the first ever power operated
convertible so that was 1939 so we're talking about this is like the late 30s going into the 40s
that they were the first ones to pioneer the power operated top so does it say how it was power
operated was it hydraulic or was it like a just electric motors or like did the passenger have
pedals and they just had to like you know kind of pedal it out like right power top is nice come on
any pedal right it had a powered top with a handy dash mounted control not hydraulic or electric but
vacuum operated is generally credited as the first power top in a volume production convertible
look at that vacuum operated I've only ever dealt with one vacuum operated top it was in a
Lincoln I think I pretty sure that was a 39 Lincoln actually but it didn't work great
yeah I mean it worked but it didn't work great yeah vacuum operated things can be just a little
temperamental yes you need to say the least yeah but yes so yeah the 1939 Plymouth convertible
the first one there to pioneer that that technology and yeah could you just think about that you go
back to 1939 just think about how many people were like you want to see something crazy watch this
they just like hit the button or the slider and the top starts to go they're probably like
what is happening witchcraft there's no way just what is this spaceship what yeah people just like
no way oh my god like you can just do it sitting in the car like that's amazing what just put by
the push of a button yeah you got to see this I love it love that yeah it's true when you think
about you we just take these technologies for granted and then you remind yourself like oh there
was there was once a time when that didn't exist and suddenly somebody in your neighborhood had it
or you saw something like and you were just floored yep by what you were watching in this case the
power top yeah the the convertibles only took off from there post world war two so post war boom
I mean people wanted their candy apple colored cars and with that came the convertible tops and
just riding around in style and I was interesting I was doing my research here for the episode and
actually uh so today we're recording April 27th April 28th 1956 the 1959 Ford Feralain 500
Skyliner was introduced and the Skyliner was was notable because it was the first
math produced car with a retractable hard top yes I mean those and if you've ever seen one of those
retract those are impressive yeah talking about a technological marvel I mean this thing
for the listener if you're not familiar with the Sunliner the entire top lifts up and then
goes into the trunk yes and for that to happen is absolutely incredible how many little like
servos and electronic boards and like just I mean it's crazy it's crazy the trunk inverts
and then the then the whole top just goes down into the trunk yep it's amazing because this was
like this was one of the first forays ever into how do we make like a coop into a convertible right
and it creates this is like I'm getting a little ahead of myself but this is the reason why I like
hard top convertible so much more than soft top because it's really about functionality
right so so with the top up on like the the Sunliner or you know Skyliner whatever it's
called right you can drive it around and inclement weather like with heat cold all of it like it
handles and does with it much better um than a soft top it's amazing I I don't think I've ever
I've never seen one of these Sunliner or Skyliners in operation man I hope to someday I mean because
they you don't see them very often well yeah if you get a chance to pull a video up on YouTube of
it it's impressive to see it yeah the Skyliner was a real peak there in 1959 that luxury and
opulence of like the late 50s there with all the chrome and and all the turquoise and pink and orange
colors all those all that as I as I'm reading here a shout out to MotorLease.com I found this nice
little article about convertibles just how they waned in the 70s because um air conditioning came
into to be popularized and people wanted AC so it sort of negated the idea of oh I want to be
comfy and AC and I don't need a convertible so they really waned quite a bit in the 70s yeah
we see the them come start to inch back towards some popularity with the Christ of the Little
Baron the Mustang the Foxbody Mustang brought the convertible back so that was a big one I always
love seeing them in 1989 the first MX-5 Miata debuted so the very first Miata hit the hit the
streets there in 1990 those first Miatas are just iconic little cars with the pop-up headlights
and really introduced the idea of a fun two-door little roadster similar to the idea of the
British roadsters right like the TR the triumphs the MG's all that except reliable little Japanese
Mazda car that could run and be enjoyable in any weather and and just what a brilliant little car
so a little snapshot of convertibles where they started where they've where they've gone and some
of the some of the highlights over the years yeah let me ask you this again like yes like pick
pick what like two or three but pick like a soft top convertible and a hard top convertible like
your favorites like throughout the years what do you got hard top one that just comes to mine
right away is the E-93 BMW M3 with the retractable hard top that was the M M3 with the
V8 gosh to do a top to have top down with that engine that would be incredible I think that's
that's one that comes to mind immediately that's a good call that's a beautiful car I love the E-90
M3 and I mean they yeah just what a unique car that they threw that V8 and that in the M3 and
what a what a monster and to do so top down that would be that'd be incredible that's safe
fabric soft top 66 Mustang yeah I mean I already yeah I already have that covered you know it's
funny because I think because it's an ongoing bit here convertibles also do include SUVs
and yeah so yeah I mean you talk about my choice I think I have every SSR
oh man that's a good hard top hard top convertible hey get it with a six liter and a manual
oh yeah talk about quirky and I'll tell you what while you think of a soft top one I'll tell you
I'll tell you my absolute favorite convertible soft top car in just in terms of looks oh okay
that's good good so the Ferrari 550 barcetta like you know like 2000 2001 so like the reason
this is my favorite looking convertible car is if you've ever seen one with the top up
it is the ugliest looking car it is I think it's disgusting looking with the top up but the car was
designed to be top down like it was designed to have the top down always and if you see one of
those cars they're drop dead gorgeous when the top is down but then it's like you see one with the
top up it's almost like it's an afterthought it was like Ferrari was like oh crap we need to put a
top on this how do we do that because it just looks so clunky and janky when the top is up I'm
looking at one right now it is just an afterthought it is it really is an afterthought it's like what
so awkward it is so it's but but with the top down though like that when you talk about a convertible
like that is a good looking convertible oh I saw one at the Audrey and auto museum
in Newport last summer and oh my gosh I mean it's like my need for speed hop pursuit dreams come true
to see that in real life yes it is it's a beautiful car absolutely love it so that for me
soft top car that's it and and really the main reason is because it looks ugly with the top up
that's so that's so funny all right so I still need a soft top yeah what do you got for me you're
okay so a guards red soft top 911 the 930 era 80s oh 80s whale tail guards red
911 cabrio yeah I think I think that's gonna be my pick I I had a model of it when I was kid and
I have a an old vintage poster of it that's gotta be the pick for me I didn't I like it
good call man I love those cars yeah I had I had to take a moment to think about it that's those
cars are iconic and just I just love the looks particularly of like the big wide like whale
tail spoiler on the back and you got the flared arches with the fuchs wheels and that's the pick
and what about you would I yeah hard top for you hard top selection so for me it's kind of a
kind of like a bucket list car for me it is a like 2003 45 era Mercedes r2 30 generation sl 65
AMG wow that is probably one of my favorite looking hard top convertible cars and the
performance to boot I mean you're getting that v12 it's the AMG car it's like 600 something horsepower
I mean it's just a stunning car with huge performance and they're actually like fairly
reasonably priced by today's standards but that in like they have a dark red I can't remember what
the name of the red is but they have a beautiful dark red and that car is just absolutely stunning
I mean it's a super car it's just really it's beautiful here's a question how about the weirdest
or quirkiest convertible I know you mentioned the SSR yeah well that's just it I'm gonna go
I'm gonna go back to the SSR because to me it's so funny right it was like during that time
when like Ford Chrysler and GM like really toyed around with like new cars but with like a 50s
aesthetic that's right so the SSR is like this performance pickup truck that looks like supposedly
like an old timey car and they were just like hey let's make it a convertible it's like why
why like why would you do that okay so it's just like mini hard top convertible truck
yes the cool the cool thing about the thing I like about the SSR yes it was right at the
same time they were doing like the GTO from Australia and like the redesign of the Corvette
so you could get it yes in 2004 with the 5.7 and then in five and six you could get it with
the six liter but you could get it with a six-speed manual which is really cool to think about having
like a 400 horsepower tried and true six-speed manual like truck but the top's down it's like
all right yeah we can do that can we do it yeah let's let's build it yeah that that that car
got the green light I that that is that is just baffling to me I love it I love that that car
exists anytime I see an SSR and somebody's still committed to driving one like you know what good
for you yes but I mean that's actually one that I would consider owning it in terms of like
for me if it's also truck but like if you're going to go to like the absolute weirdest
truck convertible I've got to give it to the Dodge Dakota convertible like yeah you I was going to
say the same thing that was it's just so weird that they did that it was like what was it because
it was like between like 90 oh yeah 89 to 91 factory authorized convertible pickup and they
actually made like 3,500 units of them but it was a manual vinyl top and they're just like
it's just such a weird looking thing like they just look so weird like why why does that exist yeah
I just want to know like who was like oh that's a great idea we are going to green light the Dodge
Dakota convertible like what the heck I mean it is just so weird uh yeah it's bizarre you could just
I would just love to go back like you know 35 years ago and just be like hey like you bought that just
why I'm curious yeah the yeah the looking at pictures of it that the convertible top is
just a one yeah just one piece folding vinyl thing over a roll bar that's that's yes that's
all it is and it just like clips into the front it may it's it makes no sense yeah that looks like
the most like the flimsy flimsiest top I would love to see someone try to load that bed with
like a bunch of gravel or something just have the truck buckle right in the middle just boom yeah
so anyway that yeah that to me that is like the weirdest convertible I mean there's a lot of
weird convertibles out there but for me that that takes the cake absolutely I'm so glad you
mentioned that one because that was going to be top of my list too the fact that this thing exists
it's the Dodge Dakota convertible really when you see these like in factory too because I mean
there are so many uh coach builders and outfits that take cars that were never meant to be
convertibles and they turn them into convertibles but this was Chrysler from the factory making these
yes it's crazy yeah because like I know Cadillac did that for a few different models like
Eldorados and stuff in certain years when they weren't making convertibles but it was all like
you said it was like coach builders or someone else and then I mean we didn't even go into it
but like I mean I've owned a few cars that have like the Landau tops right like the fake the fake
convertible tops like that some people like really like that yes doing the fake tops on like I had a
Buick Park Avenue that had it and then a Cadillac I had once they had that it's like I don't like
those it's like just just give me the the normal painted roof please but right and then you had
the Chrysler the Maserati TC oh yes the old TC yes the Maserati mm-hmm and that had the full
the full one-piece hardtop that would come off oh yeah that car was interesting to say at least
it was a little barren by Maserati and I mean I completely went through service the whole thing
and it went down the road pretty good but yeah it's just it was I don't know what they were
thinking in the 80s but yeah it was like yeah we partnered with Maserati to make a Lebaron that
was like really expensive the running gear and everything was still Chrysler Lebaron so it's
like a car underneath yeah I mean it had I mean like the seats were super comfortable and it had
like really like thick pile carpet and like you know had all the options but I was like oh my god
but Brendan porthole windows though I mean porthole windows on the hardtop that's true
I think that is a good segue into our final little segment the Craigslist fine of the week so
Brendan I see you are we keeping it in the convertible theme I have a convertible that I
picked out so do you want me to go first sure you go ahead I see you see you posted one okay so I've
got one that really caught my eye that I actually if if this is legit I think this is pretty impressive
so there is a 1992 Ford Mustang GT convertible that the person is claiming it has 10,000 original
miles on it and I mean it's backed up by a Marty report which for the listener Marty report is
something you can pay for that is special to Ford vehicles that basically verifies the options and
what the vehicle is the way it was it left the factory right just like an added layer of you
know prominence basically let's get the Marty report and I mean looking at the pictures the car
looks like it is brand new so this probably is like a legit 10,000 mile car that someone bought
new in 92 and they just didn't drive that much but it's a convertible and it is the auto and it's
got the uh the 50 it's beautiful I'm not a big Ford guy but I mean I will say that this is an
absolutely stunning example 10,000 miles that's impressive for a 92 that is that is and it's a
it's a beautiful example it really is like I've always said I'm about one stub tow away from
owner the Fox body one stub tow away oh you let me know but good find good find oh she's a beauty
live here life plus karaoke yeah
okay well funny that you found a 1992 because I also oh found a 1992 that I really like
oh oh my gosh look at this beauty first off love the color oh it's a manual oh my god
Ian what are we looking at here so my pick this week everybody is a 1992 Chevrolet Corvette C4
convertible 51,000 original miles this is a beautiful example in bright aqua metallic it
is the color I would pick I mean it is that signature early 90s kind of turquoise kind of teal
color it's got like the turbo looking like saw blade style wheels black weather six speed manual
power power steering saw blade wheels yep it's this thing is so so rad and it's got the pop-up
headlights oh my gosh I I would love to own this thing and it's uh I've always had a dream of owning
a car from my birth year so this this checks a lot of boxes those C4 Corvettes are very attainable
price wise so yeah this one this is a beauty I love that it's the six speed it does not have
the computer selectable suspension which uh good indicators usually it's uh in between
the seat adjusters on the center console oh but but yeah it's the manual it's got the LT1
yep it's it's clean it is very clean these pictures are like this thing has definitely
been well cared for over the years no question about that and uh you know talking about convertibles
like this is actually this is a generation that I really do like the look of the convertible top
up and top down yes C4 Corvette yeah it works it works really well both yeah top up and down
it's just I love that I mean it's got the wedge style that is just like it looks like an arrow
head just shooting through the air oh yeah so cool yep yeah the C4s were just leaps and bounds
above the C3 and then same can be said for the C5 they're just the C5 was like a next huge jump
up from the C4 so they are they're an amazing vehicle yeah and very fun to drive they handle
really well the C4s yeah they're they're a sleeper I think people overlook them I think
they're a bit of a forgotten car but people are starting to wake up and realize that they are special
in their own right oh yeah yeah great call Ian great call I just I love the color yep and you
know I love the way they write the ad this is a must see Corvette must see yeah well worth your
time to come check this Corvette out yes I and it was posted about a month ago so I don't think
this one's flying off the shelf though not right now no no but I think they're trying to capitalize
on uh spring time to try to sell this to someone um I actually think that their asking price of 19
thousand is a bit steep considering it's got 50 000 miles on it my guess would be that this car is
realistically somewhere in the 12 000 range but but you never know I mean it looks extremely clean
and it might be worth a little more because it is very clean so yeah so that's my pick I
it's 92 my year and the great color and six speed manual check check check yep good man
good you gotta have the manual so I have another one that's like honorable mention we just we just
have to briefly talk about this okay excellent this was actually one that Ian sent me but it's
still up like he sent me a few days ago but it's still up online cracks me up so there is a picture
of a sob 93 like uh 2005 or six or something yeah 2006 and the ad just says covetable not convertible
it just says covetable and it says nice convertible just in time for summer new brakes new tires
convertible top 150 000 miles don't waste my time you scammers and it's an automatic which is a
a little disappointing but it's this 2006 sob and I just love it the ad just says
covetable it's like you know like if I rolled into that my neighbor would be coveting me wicked
I'll tell you this is something to be coveted oh absolutely yep
I yeah even yeah I went and searched for it again and just typed in covetable and it comes up
cracks me up it's like it's like I don't know if he just you know auto corrected the covetable
or something when he posted the ad but it just it cracks me up because it's like I like subs but
I don't know if I've ever classified it as covetable I don't know and and particularly not this one
um but I just and yeah nowhere in the title does it say sob 93 2006 nope just covetable nope
none of that so yeah that that's the honorable mention for sure because it made me
crack up laughing when he said that to me a few days ago so we had to share it with for sure
wow yeah there you go you too can have a covetable of your own yes yes the highly covetable sob
oh gosh good stuff well we've got some great craigslist finds to wrap up our week here
yes yes thank you for tagging along with us with our top-down enjoyment of life plus cars and
convertible cars and top-down cruising and dreaming of having Mercedes and Jaguars and
everything in between oh yeah all the good ones yep and be on the lookout because there'll be more
convertibles coming to a town near you summer's on its way if it's not there already oh yeah it's
happening it's happening nationwide everyone above the rust belt getting the fun cars out yeah it's
happening finally yes but we got to know though what's the listener what is your convertible car
do you have one a story about one do you have like an eccentric uncle that drove a
Volkswagen Beetle convertible that you're like he loved that car oh my god is the greatest car ever
yeah it's like we love this yes we'd love to hear about it all right are you even an owner of a Nissan
Murano cross cabriolet we'll even we'll even hear that story please wait I would actually
love to talk to somebody who owns one of those yes absolutely has anyone ever had a Dodge
Dakota convertible I would love to understand what made you purchase it that's that's I'm not
trying to be snarky just I really want to know truly like we we love all cars here and particularly
the stories behind them so yeah what led you to buy a Dodge Dakota convertible we want to know
yeah absolutely it's awesome oh it is yep well and what's awesome is having you back here Brendan
and it's always a treat to chat cars with you it's good to be back in oh yeah
and thank you listeners for following along as Brendan said and yeah lock in buckle up and
we look forward to chatting with you on the next episode real soon yep the next
convertible episode of life plus cars
About this episode
Convertibles take center stage as the hosts kick off with summer excitement—“just rocking [470.3s] the Buick and GTO and Corvette”—and a practical focus on keeping soft-top roofs happy. They cover canvas vs vinyl care, cleaning tools, and water-repellent protection, then move into mechanism checks like torqued hardware, even up/down operation, and hydraulic leak/fluid level inspections. The conversation also swings to convertible history and standout picks, including a low-mileage 1992 Corvette C4 and quirky finds like the Dodge Dakota convertible.
Welcome back to another episode of the Life Plus Cars podcast!
Inspired by the summer weather ahead, Brendan and Ian talk about convertibles on this week's episode.
Listen in as the hosts discuss:
-Recommended care and maintenance for convertible tops
-a brief history of the convertible and some noteworthy examples
-their favorite hard top and soft top convertibles
-the quirkiest convertibles out there
-which cars made the cut for the Craigslist find of the week
Plus, did you know that you could once buy a convertible pickup truck? They existed! Join in as we talk about these curious vehicles and much more on this week's episode.
What do you think, listener? Do you have a convertible story? Do you drive a Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet? Let us know and write to us at [email protected]
