Hagerty Announces Favorite Classic Convertibles For Summer 2015
Hagerty Experts Name Ten Affordable, Reliable and Fun Open-Top Cars
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., June 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer begins this Sunday and to kick-off the season the collector vehicle experts at Hagerty have named their favorite classic convertibles for the summer months.
"There is nothing like driving a convertible. They force you to slow down and enjoy your surroundings rather than just drive to a destination. They were designed and built to put pleasure into driving," says McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty, the world's leading provider of classic car insurance and valuations. "So, in deciding this list of our favorite classic convertibles we selected cars that provide the broadest range of fun, value and stop-them-in-their-tracks good looks."
Each car on the list had to meet the following criteria: be available at market prices below $35,000, offer a high degree of reliability, feature readily-available replacement parts and present a sound financial decision.
- 1966–67 Alfa Romeo Giulia Duetto Spider – A production run of several decades means both maintenance and cost-of-entry are low for fun drivers. Over time, the general look and feel remained true to the original design, so that the Spider feels like a classic no matter which model year you're driving. An affordable taste of 'la dolce vita.' 1966 Giulia Duetto Spiders start at $25,700.
- 1987–93 BMW 325i Convertible – BMW launched its "Ultimate Driving Machine" slogan in the 1970s, but the 1980s E30 helped make it a household expression. The M3 is well past "affordable" by now, but the 6-cylinder 325i convertible can still be bought with a credit card. Most in the US were equipped with automatic, but savvy searchers will be able to locate one with 5-speed to help deliver on the old ad tagline. 1987 BMW 325i Convertibles start at $8,500.
- 1968–75 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible – An American stalwart, the C3 Corvette had a short run as a convertible (the model was built for 7 years as a coupe only), but high production numbers and low upkeep costs guarantee an affordable example resides nearby. 1971 Corvette Convertibles start at $23,700.
- 1965–67 Ford Mustang Convertible – The Mustang is instantly recognizable by anyone who cares about cars and has endured shifting preferences among buyers to maintain relevance. From high-performance V8s to 6-cylinders, and with millions made, there is a first-generation Mustang to suit everyone's budget. 1965 Mustang Convertibles start at $28,100.
- 1966–71 International Scout – Summer convertibles need not be limited to sports and luxury cars, and the Scouts are equally at home on the beach, in the forest or at the cruise-in. Values have risen steadily, but not past the point of accessibility. 1966 Scouts start at $9,000.
- 1961–67 Lincoln Continental Convertible – Values have climbed for these stylish convertibles over the past 5 years, but they are still surprisingly affordable. Room for friends, great 1960s lines, and being a modern pop culture reference ("Entourage," anyone?) should all keep this purchase essentially free through the summer months. 1961 Continental Convertibles start at $33,600.
- 1989–97 Mazda Miata – Still ignored by a population of drivers who made up their mind about these cars without ever sitting behind the wheel of one. Their loss is your gain as Miatas are as rewarding to drive as any cheap, two-seat sports car has a right to be. 1995 Miatas start at $4,500.
- 1986–89 Mercedes-Benz 560SL – The Mercedes-Benz 560SL has seen swift appreciation over the past 6 months, but driver examples are still affordable. The earlier 450SL and 380SL models have not been swept up in the craze to the same degree, which means they are easier to get into today and have decent future prospects. 1986 560SL Convertibles start at $19,400.
- 1972–1976 Porsche 914 – With Porsche prices rising above what can be described as "affordable" by most folks looking for a fun summer car, 914 values remain relatively unfazed. And with the recent run-up of Volkswagen convertible prices, the VW-Porsche stigma the 914 carried with it since new has less of an impact. 1972 914s start at $9,700.
- 1987–89 Toyota MR-2 T-Bar – The MR-2's exotic mid-engine chassis makes it something of a novelty, but it also provides for a driving experience that is hard to find in sub-$10,000 collector cars. Being a Toyota, reliability is great and aftermarket support is, too. These weren't as high on the list for tuners as other cars, either, so stock choices still abound. 1987 MR-2 T-Bar start at $6,200.
About Hagerty:
Based in Traverse City, Michigan, Hagerty is the world's leading insurance provider for classic vehicles and host to the largest network of classic car owners. Hagerty offers insurance for classic cars, trucks, motorcycles and motorcycle safety equipment, tractors, automotive tools and spare parts, and even "automobilia" (any historic or collectible item linked with motor vehicles). Hagerty also offers overseas shipping and touring insurance coverage, business coverage and club liability coverage. For more information, call (800) 922-4050 or visit www.hagerty.com. Hagerty also provides online Valuation Tools and publishes Hagerty Price Guide, which are the premier guides for post-war collectible automobiles. For more information please visit www.hagerty.com/valuationtools
Contact: Hilary Waks, 1-212-5748265, [email protected]
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SOURCE Hagerty
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