Seventeen years of legal driving (plus many more on top of that) and the only convertible I’ve ever driven was a 1987 Chrysler LeBaron that had at least once cylinder calling it a day. The car itself was an absolute crapbox that had been left open to the elements in western Washington for months. The interior reeked, the running gear was barely sufficient, but of all the miracles, I managed to get the top to work. I cleaned up the car and drove it for a couple of weeks before it got flipped, and while the rest of the car was worthless, driving with the top down one evening, with the sun sinking into the water and Seattle bathed in an orange glow, I learned why people like convertibles. The “wind in your hair” thing is only part of it. You get smells and sounds you wouldn’t normally hear. The exhaust becomes more musical, passing under a bridge becomes an event, and laid-back cruising doesn’t come more naturally.
I can thank a neighbor I had in Arizona for stirring up an interest in 1969-1972 full-size Ford convertibles. He had an absolutely gorgeous 1971 Mercury Marquis convertible that he lovingly maintained, and there were a couple other Fords and Mercurys hanging around the area. The body lines are great, the engines are all-V8 and all workable, and there’s tons of room, as a proper full-size car should have. This particular 1971 LTD is about 95% of what I want in one. The only thing that actually bothers me about this car are the 1980s Lincoln Town Car wheels, and that’s a very simple fix. The white and green color combination is nice, and the 390ci V8 should provide effortless cruising. The top is in good condition, the interior is nice, the body looks great, and with a press-time bid of $6500, it’s a reasonably good deal as well. Find some nice wheels, either stock Ford or a really decent set of aftermarket wheels, and call it done. Nothing more. Put the top down and go for an evening cruise…it’s what this car was meant to do.
eBay Link: 1971 Ford LTD Convertible
LOL – I like the Lincoln wheels. Gives it some class.