Full-size Summer fun!

While any musclecar convertible-be it a Mustang, Camaro, Chevelle, Road Runner,etc-they bring a kings ransom, even more than their hardtop brothers because a lot less of them were built. For example-Pontiac sold almost 90,000 GTOs in 1968, but only 8800 or so were convertibles-about 10% of total production. Most of the other makes sales figures are about the same, percentage wise. Figuring in attrition over the years-some were wrecked, some just junked back when they weren't worth anything-and it's hard to find your dream machine regardless of your bankroll. However, you can still have some heavy metal open air fun. You'll just have to look for a full-size car instead of an intermediate or ponycar. # 1. Would have to be any 1965-75 full-size Buick, Olds or Pontiac drop-top. The reason is they all had TH400s for trannys,and the Pontiacs had 389,400,428 or 455 cubes under the hood. The Olds models had 425s or 455s, and the Buicks had 430 or 455 cubes, depending on the year. I have nothing against Chevys, and if you find a good deal on an Impala drop-top by all means buy it; however most of the Impalas you run across are going to be small-block powered. Any 396, 427 or 454 Impala convertible is going to be high-priced, while the BOP models all have the big-blocks as standard equipment.  # 2. 1965-72 Ford Galaxie / LTD. Most had 390 cubes under the hood, some 1970 and later models may have 351 / 400Cs, or 429s which certainly isn't a bad thing. Clint Eastwood drove a cool blue&white 1972 LTD convertible in "Magnum Force." The other cool factor is these cars were the top of the line; they usually have upgraded interiors, disc brakes, and factory air. # 3. 1965-70 Cadillac DeVille. That's not a typo, I said Cadillac. Cool styling, luxurious interiors, and 429,472 or 500 cubes of American muscle under the hood. These may be a little pricier than the others; but look at it this way-10 grand will buy you a pretty decent vintage Caddy that looks, runs, and drives great. 10 grand won't buy you a rusted, not running, basket case Challenger or Chevelle convertible. # 4. 1965-72 Chrysler C-body. Be it a Fury,Newport or Monaco, most of these had 383 or 440 cubes under the hood, and like their GM and Ford counterparts-lots of luxury options. I'd much rather cruise country roads on nice days in a big, comfortable car with 400+ cubes under the hood than I would cramped up in a 4-banger, buzzy little Mazda Miata or Honda S2000. I'll bet you agree. Mastermind