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Leasing A Convertible
Take a look through our selection of convertibles.
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WHAT IS A CONVERTIBLE?
Are you looking for a car that will impress? A car that you can drive in the summer with the top down, appreciating the breeze as you head to the coast? If you are, then a convertible might be just what you’re looking for.
Convertibles have always been a popular choice for anyone who’s looking for the ultimate in summer cars. Sometimes referred to as a cabriolet, a convertible is the ideal car for a day trip, when the weather’s good.
A convertible is a passenger car that can be driven with or without a roof. It allows an open-air driving experience, but a roof is there when needed.
Not all convertibles have the same kind of roof; some are soft top, others are hard top, some retract with the flick of a switch, some need to be manually folded, while others need to be detached and stored in the car boot.
A soft top is usually made from some type of flexible material, like tightly-woven cotton canvas, latex, PVC or butyl rubber. Whatever material is used needs to be waterproof and easily folded. It’s usually constructed with a metallic frame and a second layer of material to improve water– and sound-proofing.
A rigid, removable hard top is more durable than the soft top equivalent, providing better sound– and weather-proofing. Some even come with integrated rear-window and windscreen defrosters.
The retractable hard top is the automatically-operated self-storing roof. This type of roof comes with the added benefit of improved climate control and better security. However, there are disadvantages, which include increased cost, mechanical complexity (more things that could go wrong), heavier car and reduced storage space.
If you’re looking for a stylish and sleek car to drive along the coast like a movie star in the summer, then a convertible might be ideal for you. Below is a range of makes and models that we can offer. Give us a call now on 01903 538835 or send us a message to request a call back at a time that suits you.[vc_single_image image=”85910″ img_size=”full” alignment=”right”][osv_model_search_results title=”” make=”” model=”” body-style=”Convertible” hide_elements=”dropdown_filters,select_view”][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1551192664454{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1536783440378{background-position: 0 0 !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;}”]
HISTORY OF CONVERTIBLE
The first cars were open-air, with no roof or sides. However, as the engines became more powerful, textile roofs made from material or leather were added.
Early examples of cars with a roof include the two-seater Phaeton that had a temporary roof, and the coupe de ville which had an enclosed passenger area at the back.
Runabouts, sporting roadsters and touring cars, the cheaper vehicles, were either fitted with a serviceable folding top and side curtains that could be removed, or remained open-air.
When steel-bodied cars started to become mass-produced and were more affordable for the general public in the 1920s, the open-air cars started to disappear. By the 1930s the only convertibles left on the market were high-priced luxury vehicles.
The first mechanically operated convertible roof was introduced by Plymouth (Chrysler) in 1939, they made nearly 6,000. The convertible coupe was marketed at the 1939 New York World’s Fair as the first mass-production convertible with a power folding top.
After the end of World War II, demand increased for convertibles in the US. Many soldiers had experienced the small cars like the MG Midget, while driving in the UK and wanted the same when back home. This demand produced cars like the Studebaker Lark, Oldsmobile 98 and the Rambler American.
Due to the increase in road speeds after the 1970s, the popularity of convertibles reduced. Increased road speeds resulted in more wind and noise for anyone in a convertible. This coincided with the introduction of better air conditioning systems and sunroofs.
In 1989 the Mazda MX-5 (Miata) was produced, it has since become the best-selling convertible in the world, the 1 millionth rolled off the production line in 2016.[vc_single_image image=”85911″ img_size=”full” alignment=”right”][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” ts_equalize_columns=”true” ts_equalize_align=”top”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1536783440378{background-position: 0 0 !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;}”]
BENEFITS OF A CONVERTIBLE
The convertible is a stylish and speedy vehicle, perfect for the sunny months. They are an impressive car to show off in the heat, but they are also a decent size and affordable to run.[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” ts_equalize_columns=”true” ts_equalize_align=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1548941805305{background-position: 0 0 !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1548885950971{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 1px !important;background-color: #00625a !important;}”][vc_column width=”4/6″][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” ts_equalize_columns=”true” ts_equalize_align=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1548941932157{margin-top: -50px !important;padding-right: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;padding-left: 50px !important;background-color: #00625a !important;}”]
THE PROS OF A CONVERTIBLE
- Increased visibility – lack of a roof and door frames when the roof is down improves visibility
- Style – classic and sporty, they have that wow factor
- More head room – with the roof down it doesn’t matter if you’re over 6ft or not quite 5ft
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THE CONS OF A CONVERTIBLE
- More expensive – convertibles tend to be more expensive than the comparable coupe or saloon
- Chassis shudder – due to the lack of a fixed roof leading to rough riding over uneven surfaces
- Noise – even with the top up the sound in the cabin can seem louder
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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GETTING A CONVERTIBLE?
Get in touch with us on 01903 538835 or request a call back. We look forward to hearing from you.
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