Ian F
Dork
12/26/10 8:19 p.m.
Good point about noise and long distances in an old convertible. A couple of years ago, I drove from Philly to Carlisle in my Spit 6 and my ears were ringing by the time I got there. And my car was geared for hwy running with a o/d trans and a 3.27 rear end. I'm not sure what was worse - top up or down I know that in our std 1500 Spit w/ o/d and more normal 3.89 gearing, I'll endure some pretty cold temps before I'll put the top up.
Even in newer convertibles - my Corvette isn't that quiet with the roof up either, although I guess a hardtop would help.
I love long trips in a canoe. With an inverter plugged in, of course.
I did 1,000 miles in my Maserati Merak SS once. It was a total blast until we hit soul crushing traffic in Massachusetts on the way home, then it totally sucked. It was a great car when you are moving, but stop and go traffic because of construction, accidents, massive volume for an entire state isn't much fun in anything.
I loved long trips in my R107 560SL
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/anwarius/Mercedes 560SL/P1000392.jpg)
As long as you didn't pay attention to fuel economy (about 15 mpg), it was perfect for road trips. Comfortable on the highway. Fast. Reliable. Good brakes. Not too noisy for a convertible. Generous trunk with the top up or down.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/anwarius/Mercedes 560SL/P1000399.jpg)
Perhaps most important, it was my only toy car that my wife actually liked
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/anwarius/Mercedes 560SL/P1000143.jpg)