10 Awesome Convertibles Even Petrolheads Can Appreciate

This list couldn’t start anywhere else. The Honda S2000 is iconic largely thanks to the combination of a fizzy 2.0-litre VTEC engine and a sorted chassis. It’s well known as a tricky car on the limit, but in a way that rewards a good driver.

2. Mazda MX-5

Putting my personal grievances with the MX-5 to one side for a moment, there’s no denying this is a great driver’s car. It’s a fantastic example of a car that’s still enjoyable, even without huge horsepower.

3. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

The old adage that American cars can’t corner doesn’t apply to the Stingray, and that handling barely suffers with the roof chopped off. Out on the open road you won’t notice the difference, apart from the fact you have unfiltered access to the racket made by the 6.2-litre V8.

4. Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

The Alfa 4C was already ball-achingly beautiful in hard-top form, but then they went and gave us all a crisis by removing the roof. The new rear buttresses give the car an even more muscular stance than before, and thanks to its carbonfibre tub, it doesn’t need tonnes of extra weight added to compensate for the roof removal.

5. Lamborghini Aventador convertible

Here’s another car that keeps its dynamic ability without a roof thanks to a carbonfibre tub. In the Aventador’s case, though, saying it’s a great drive purely for that reason is doing it a massive disservice. Designed from the outset to be more extrovert than the coupe, it’s 50kg heavier and 25 per cent less stiff, but still puts in the same time as the coupe on the number one handling circuit at Nardo. Road testers have noted the convertible feels like it has way more grip in corners, largely thanks to wider tyres.

6. Jaguar E-Type convertible

The E-Type never quite had the same racing success as the D-Type it followed, but it has become an absolute classic. It’s the car Enzo Ferrari described as “the most beautiful car ever made”, and who are we to argue? Couple that with the creamy V12 and handling that’s still enjoyable by today’s standards, and you can see why it’s so revered.

7. Ferrari 458 Speciale A

The ‘A’ stands for ‘Aperta’, and in case you don’t speak Italian that means ‘open.’ An apt description, and one which allows you to get a bigger earful of Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated V8 swansong - it’s actually been turned down a notch so as not to become overwhelming, but tuned to sound even sweeter. This car takes the coupe’s unnatural performance and adds even more character. Ballistic.

8. Toyota MR2 Mk3

The unsung hero of the MR2 generations, the Mk3 provides a wonderful driving experience. Its tiny footprint makes it a joy to hustle along a country road, and the engine has just enough power to unstick the rear end, making it playful even at low speeds. It might have more cutesy looks than its predecessors, but don’t let that put you off.

9. Lotus Elise

Lotus has made a name for itself by making the best handling cars on the market, and the Elise epitomises that. With its lightweight design and corner crushing capability, it’s one of the purest driving experiences you’ll find anywhere. The car has lived on through many years of upgrades, but it’s the early cars that get purists excited.

There’s also the Vauxhall VX220, which shares a chassis with the Series 2 Elise, but with the added advantage of a more powerful engine.

10. Porsche 911 Targa

This might not be the purest form of 911 ownership, but it’s arguably one of the most beautiful convertible conversions ever produced. A removable roof panel and plastic rear window were provided, with a gorgeous rollover hoop left in place. The modern Targa looks similarly pretty, but now features one of the most mesmerisingly complex roof mechanisms we’ve ever seen.