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Tell Me Why??? [top up driving]

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kindofblue

kindofblue

Jedi Warrior
Offline
What could be the reasoning for this:

Late April, 78 degrees, Saturday afternoon, not a cloud in the sky, haven't had wether above 55 this year, and I spot:

A rubber bumper MGB with its top up on the road????

Please explain this to me. Why own an LBC if you aren't going to put the top down on a day like this? Maybe the top got stuck in the up position?
 
Spoiled with air conditioning?
 
Haulin' Granny home from a hair appointment? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
Don't know? Maybe it was a short drive for a pint or two and didn't want to deal with putting the top back up.
 
my top goes down on the first day out of winter storage and stays down, barring emergencys, til it goes back in. Why bother if you cant drive it topless
 
Some people like sports cars, but not convertibles. I've even had days where I didn't feel like having the top down. Maybe tired, sunburned or any of a number of reasons.
 
Steve_S said:
Some people like sports cars, but not convertibles. I've even had days where I didn't feel like having the top down. Maybe tired, sunburned or any of a number of reasons.
Click to expand...


That is what Surrey tops, Hard tops, and MGB GTs are for. I didn't think of this, but some don't like that much wind in the hair. One TR250 in our club has a permanent Surrey top with the mid section out.

However this was a soft top in the up position!
 
I don't mind the wind, I just don't like the sun. There are a lot of exceptions, but generally I put my top(s) down in the morning and late afternoon. Unless it's really cool out my top(s) go up when the sun gets up beyond about 30°.

That's down here, that past few times I've driven through the mountains in Virginia then up to PA I've left the top pretty much down.
 
I am one of those "old guys with the top up"....I hate folding the top on my 58 A because it's white and every little mark shows up. I also hate leaving my cars sitting with the top down for extended periods...bad for the top The with MGB's the top is bit of a pain to fold/unfold...so about half the time I've got it up(or a hardtop on them). TR6 tops are easy to fold/unfold...so I usually have them down. Jag's got a nice power top, but since I use it as a commuter in the summer i am usually dressed in a suit and don't want the sun on me while sitting in traffic for two hours....so I leave it up with the A/C on.
 
Wife says to add that she's the opposite with her MGA....top down from the day it comes out to October rain or shine!(then up for the last month of driving).
 
I like driving the Bugeye around with the top up. Feels like a little motorized tent. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

Of course, you don't have to fold a Bugeye top. You just take it off and stuff it in the back of the car!
 
I saw six other convertibles out today. The first two were old American iron, driven by older men. Tops were down.

Third and fourth were a Chrysler and a newer Saab. Both driven by younger women, tops were up, but windows were open and both occupants of the Saab were sitting with their arms out of the car, looked as if they were trying to take off!

Number five was a yellow Mita, driven by a middle-aged man, white hair, beard, and a baseball cap. Roof was down.

Finally the sixth car was an Alfa Spider, an older one but with the Kamm tail. Red of course. The top was down. Older middle-aged male driver. Then there was me. Also middle-aged, in my MGB. Top permanently down.
 
What's a top? This subject touches on one of the things that has puzzled me since I moved to Fl. 20 yrs ago! Why own a rag-top in the tropics and keep the top up? It is the rare one I see with the top stowed!!! Give me the wind in my hair, the smog in my face and the sun beating on my bald spot any day!!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif
 
bugimike said:
It is the rare one I see with the top stowed!!!
Click to expand...

I see them with the top up (and windows shut, no matter what the temp) all the time, but then again I also see people in new convertibles around here in the middle of August with the tops down and windows up sitting in traffic. I wonder if they have their A/C cranked full tilt.

No matter what the temperature, I have to say the MGB is one of the most comfortable cars to drive when it's really warm with the top up and the rear window unzipped. The airflow is terrific, and it's cool enough in the shade to not be miserable.

That's one thing my Miata really, really needs. It's a miserably hot car because it just doesn't have much in the way of airflow. I'm actually looking forward to the day I have to replace the top, hopefully I'll find one with a zippable rear-window.
 
bugimike said:
What's a top? This subject touches on one of the things that has puzzled me since I moved to Fl. 20 yrs ago! Why own a rag-top in the tropics and keep the top up? It is the rare one I see with the top stowed!!! Give me the wind in my hair, the smog in my face and the sun beating on my bald spot any day!!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif
Click to expand...


Vut iz zis "hair" you refer to?!? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Why own a rag-top in the tropics and keep the top up? [/QUOTE]

The more intriguing question is why so many sports cars from Britain are convertibles in the first place?

Warm and Dry?
 
JamesWilson said:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Why own a rag-top in the tropics and keep the top up?
Click to expand...

The more intriguing question is why so many sports cars from Britain are convertibles in the first place?

Warm and Dry?
[/QUOTE]

It's because the British are all slightly mad. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
DrEntropy said:
bugimike said:
What's a top? This subject touches on one of the things that has puzzled me since I moved to Fl. 20 yrs ago! Why own a rag-top in the tropics and keep the top up? It is the rare one I see with the top stowed!!! Give me the wind in my hair, the smog in my face and the sun beating on my bald spot any day!!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif
Click to expand...


Vut iz zis "hair" you refer to?!? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif
Click to expand...

Short-term memory blues?? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
The stuff found on certain chins!!!!!!!!
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Vut iz zis "hair" you refer to?!? [/QUOTE]

Check your ears for it, too.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
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