2021_ADN_V6_No2-web
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Who Drove these<br />
Famous Convertibles?<br />
1972<br />
Ferrari<br />
Daytona<br />
Spyder 365<br />
GTS/4<br />
Sonny Crokett’s car during the<br />
first 2 seasons of Miami Vice<br />
1962<br />
Sunbeam<br />
Alpine<br />
Series II<br />
James Bond’s car<br />
in the film Dr. No<br />
1966<br />
Ford<br />
Thunderbird<br />
Getaway car used and<br />
Thelma & Louise<br />
1959<br />
Peugeot<br />
403<br />
Car driven by Detective<br />
Columbo<br />
1962<br />
Cadillac<br />
Series 62<br />
Driven by Joe Pesci in My<br />
Cousin Vinny<br />
A Little History<br />
In 1906 John Carl Haartz founded the company in Boston, says<br />
Goldstein, The son of a German immigrant who owned a cloth<br />
inspection business knew the textile business. In the mid-20s he<br />
was specializing in mohair products for tops and seats. As the years<br />
passed, customers demanded more weather protection, multi-layered<br />
and rubber-coated fabric tops. Haartz introduced synthetic<br />
materials to the market in the late 1930s. Vinyl coatings followed in<br />
the 1950s.<br />
Today’s top consists of multiple layers designed for weather<br />
protection, acoustic isolation and can lay flat and fold easily for the<br />
lifetime of the top. Cambria ® , Landmark, Stayfast ® , Sonnenland ® ,<br />
and Twillfast ® are the core fabrics and vinyl on today’s convertible<br />
automobile is manufactured by The Haartz Corporation.<br />
Other words for “Convertible”<br />
Cabriolet<br />
Cabrio<br />
Drop Top<br />
Drophead Coupé<br />
Open Two-Seater<br />
Open Top<br />
Rag Top<br />
Soft Top<br />
Spider*<br />
Spyder*<br />
*Why the name spider/spyder?<br />
The terminology originated back in the 1800s when people drove<br />
around in horse-drawn carriages. As Road and Track reported,<br />
according to Carfection's Drew Stearne, the carriages which were<br />
used to transport cargo and people, were lightweight and with<br />
smaller bodies and large wooden wheels with thin spokes, which<br />
sort of looked like spider legs. “Once cars came around, this naming<br />
scheme transferred over to lighter, more agile, sporty vehicles,<br />
often with no roof over the cockpit,” said Stearne.<br />
As for the different spider spellings, Stearne said it is most likely<br />
due to a manufacturer's preference. Ferrari used Spyder in the past,<br />
but now calls their convertibles “spiders.” However, Porsche still uses<br />
“spyder” for its Boxster variant, and McLaren and Fiat use “spider.”<br />
Most Popular Convertibles<br />
of <strong>2021</strong><br />
According to Kelley Blue Book, the following are the most<br />
reviewed convertibles by KBB users for <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
1949<br />
Buick<br />
Roadmaster<br />
76-C<br />
Tom Cruise’s car in the<br />
movie Rain Man<br />
1. <strong>2021</strong> Ford Mustang<br />
2. <strong>2021</strong> Mercedes-Benz<br />
C-Class<br />
3. <strong>2021</strong> Chevrlotet Camaro<br />
4. <strong>2021</strong> Mazda MX-5 Miata<br />
5. <strong>2021</strong> Mazda MX-5 Miata R-F<br />
6. <strong>2021</strong> BMW 2 Series<br />
7. <strong>2021</strong> Mercedes-Benz<br />
E-Class<br />
8. <strong>2021</strong> Porsche 718 Boxster<br />
9. <strong>2021</strong> Porsche 718 Spyder<br />
10. <strong>2021</strong> MINI Convertible<br />
32 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | VOL. 6, NO. 2 • SUMMER <strong>2021</strong>
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