So I have a convertible, what are convertible things to do?

"ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper" (thedlo)
05/19/2016 at 14:01 • Filed to: None

My uncle gave me his hard top ‘82 380SL, its garaged now. The caveat for taking it home is I have to get the windows to roll up. I checked the fuses, and that checks out, next is the switches which are a common issue over time (new switches are on order).

Not sure how long I can keep it, currently I dont have a garage, or much driveway space to begin with, but in anycase I want to enjoy owning it for how ever long that is. Also If I sold it after the summer is over that money would go a long way to improving my/our future, fattening up the house down payment fund, wedding nonsense, (probably not but maybe more parts for the wagon, etc.) Therefore I need a list of Convertible things to do, this way if I dont keep it at least I have a blast in the meantime.

So Give me Ideas for must do’s if you have a convertible, and make this summer awesome!

DISCUSSION (41)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:04

Well, the Benz is too classy for “stand up while mooning someone”, so I’m out of ideas.

d15b > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:04

Go on a drive and a picnic.

jimz > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:05

drive around with the top down but the windows up.

Party-vi > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:07

I would fix the windows, detail it, and sell it. That could be a $10,000 car depending on how many miles are on it. Do you know if it has the single-row timing chain still, or when the chain was last serviced? The single-row chains were an issue if they were not serviced every 30k-40k miles.

Future next gen S2000 owner > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:11

Drive around showing everyone life is better when you are topless.

crowmolly > jimz
05/19/2016 at 14:11

Dammit, beat me to it.

EmbraceTheRasp > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:13

Love that year. My father bought one just after I got out of High School. Ours was cream, with a tan interior and a chocolate soft-top. We put wide-assed (for the time period) Pirrelli P77s on it. It looked awesome.

The inverted swoop of the hardtop is such a thing of beauty. It’s a cruiser though. Not particularly fast. In fact, not really fast at all.

It’s pretty quiet for the time period, so conversation is easy. The seats are nice and wide, so they won’t keep you in place through cornering, but you can ride all day long and never get pressure points.

This is a great date-night, long weekend trip car. Take a lazy drive for hours on backroads enjoying the scenery and fresh air. Look for mountain tours. Start in the flats, then turn on the seat heaters as you climb. It’s an automatic with a massive steering wheel, so holding hands with your passenger is easily done.

As I remember, ours was a manual top that took a couple minutes to get down, but it’s been more than 25 years since I’v been in one, so I could be wrong.

Have a blast!

Pixel > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:14

Buy/borrow something very tall and drive around with it in the passenger seat(potted plant, grandfather clock, etc.).

Drive around in some ridiculous outfit(Nun, clown, Left Shark)

Fill it with tacos.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:14

Kinja'd!!!

How far are you from NY 9N?

Kinja'd!!!

AndyG_UK > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:17

Drive down sunny costal roads with the top down playing Call Me by Blondie at full volume.

Flman1967 > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:20

Ive owned a convertible for 27 years. There’s not much you actually “do”. Put the top down, even if you think you have to put it up in an hour. Too many people buy a convertible then consider it a pain to fiddle with putting it up and down. If you’re too hot, put the ac on. Too cold, put on the heat. It makes driving a bunch more pleasurable than an enclosed car.

Don’t worry about the residual value. DD it and go about your normal life. It really just lets you feel like you’re outside a lot more. Kind of like going for a boat ride instead of being on a train.

Don’t sell it for heaven’s sake. Your uncle gave you an awesome set of wheels. Eventually it will mean more to you than a smaller house payment. Unless of course you hate your uncle.

I've driven my 75 Pontiac in homecoming courts, parades, vintage rallies, whatever. A nice warm fall day is a great time to just go goof around.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:20

Buy an old aviator’s helmet, scarf, and goggles. Wear them as you drive around town - sans roof - playing “Ride of the Valkyries” as loud as the old Becker or Blaupunkt stereo can handle. When someone stares at you, give them the double-thumbs-up and smile as big as you can.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:22

Take the top off and go on leisurely weekend cruises.

itschrome > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
05/19/2016 at 14:24

what if you moved your butt cheeks like it’s talking while yelling “Pardon me, would you have any Grey Poupon?” at every one you pass?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > itschrome
05/19/2016 at 14:27

Well it’s a question that must be assed.

Kinja'd!!!

derf > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:27

1 - Especially if it’s an older car and the top takes any kind of time/effort to operate, make sure you know how to pull up the local weather radar on your phone (and that your other half does too, hooray for co-drivers!)

2 - Any sort of winding scenic back road becomes that much more pleasant on a nice day with the top down. If there are any little cafes or restaurants that happen to be at the far end of such a drive, it makes for a very nice afternoon out. Or as someone else already mentioned, picnic.

3 - A cool old drop top Merc would look great tearing around an autocross course :) hee hee!

itschrome > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
05/19/2016 at 14:35

yes that’s exactly what I was thinking of when I typed that!!!!

That's gonna leave a mark! > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 14:47

Always like the look of those models. How does it drive and handle?

LongbowMkII > jimz
05/19/2016 at 14:47

Raaaaaage

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > That's gonna leave a mark!
05/19/2016 at 14:52

Only drove it around the block, lol feels like a boat.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Party-vi
05/19/2016 at 14:55

I’ll have to check on the mileage. As for the motor, all I know is its an 82. Yea 10k is an awesome amount to have in the hand, I just want that vert experience before I pass it on.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/19/2016 at 14:59

I will do this. This I promise you.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > derf
05/19/2016 at 15:02

Top is a problem. since its a hard top model, I would need to run back home to put the top on LOL. At first I thought it was an either or thing like miatas, but hard tops dont come with rag tops. I was a little bummed but I shouldnt have assumed it had both.

Bear Mt. Might be its maiden voyage.

If I kept it I would totally revamp the suspension much like I am doing to the S6 right now, make it handle like a proper car, and less like a yacht.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > PotbellyJoe and 42 others
05/19/2016 at 15:03

Im down state, rockland. Bear mt/ seven lakes drive might be the maiden voyage.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > AndyG_UK
05/19/2016 at 15:06

Going to have to make a playlist of all the song suggestions lol. Fortunately I already have most of the songs suggestions.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Flman1967
05/19/2016 at 15:15

Yea, I always thought it was weird to see someone with the top up on a nice day.. if you got it flaunt it.

I know its awesome car, but 10k is a nice amount to have, but that decision wont be made till much later.

Hes getting rid of it cause he rather have the garage space, he also has a 76 280 which was fully restored, I believe he intends to sell that one too, again for the space.

If I can keep it I definitely will, but if it becomes a problem shedding weight it easiest. :/

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > EmbraceTheRasp
05/19/2016 at 15:21

haha I dont even think it can get out of its own way, but I bet its still faster than a FRS/BRZ LOL. This one is the hard top, havent had the pleasure of taking it off just yet. I was playing with the Idea of throwing on my Fikse FM5s for picture and scene points LOL.

MUSASHI66 > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 15:26

1.Take the top down on a Friday.

2. Load up with your lady, go to a nice liquor store and buy your uncle the nicest bottle of whiskey you can find, and deliver it.

3. Drive with your lady to a nice hotel out of town, drive out for dinner, then find a nice place to park and pretend you are 16 again, with the stars above you.

4. Drive back to the hotel, and have a fun night. Next day, take your lady friend on an awesome picnic and have a blast.

5. Drive back to the hotel, then repeat step 3

6. Next morning, drive home on roads that don’t even resemble a highway.

Bonus point if you wear a cool hat and your lady friend wears a silk scarf

Kinja'd!!!

JGrabowMSt > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 15:27

Go topless.

Drive around on warm summer nights with the top off.

Drive around on cold days with the heat blasting with the top off.

Go to The Chatterbox on a Saturday evening with it during the summer.

Join us to Hawk’s Nest (coming soon!).

Take pictures with other Oppos that own SL convertibles!

Take the long way everywhere.

Avoid the highways because they’re just not as fun.

Give other SL drivers the thumbs up! (it confuses them, but they usually react!)

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > MUSASHI66
05/19/2016 at 15:29

Poetic. Added to the list!

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > JGrabowMSt
05/19/2016 at 15:30

haha some of these points are pretty bias/selfish, but we’re friends so its cool.

Bengal55 > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 16:49

First off, once you remove the hard top, practice putting the top up and down a few times so you get the hang of it. It’s not a Miata, and will take one person a good couple min to raise and lower.

Secondly, drive. Anywhere, everywhere, back roads. Take the SO with you, head out away from the city/town/whatever in to the rural areas. Turn down roads you’ve never been down, just explore, stop at small shops, enjoy the weather and the car. If you go far enough, stop at a hotel, winery, whatever and enjoy the night.

Hint: Take a phone charger, camera, small tool kit, sun block and some good music, they’ll will come in very handy.

Source: 560SL owner

That's gonna leave a mark! > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/19/2016 at 20:10

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/20/2016 at 00:30

for the window switches, disconnect the battery, get a little contact cleaner and spray inside, vigorously move the switch.. If you have a compressor blow out remnants or wait till dry to plug in. happened to my power seat and worked fine after.

convertible things: drive with the top down, all dry weather, bring a hat. wear sunglasses, don’t make eye contact

EmbraceTheRasp > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/20/2016 at 00:32

The hard-top is covering the soft top access. These things came with both. Hopefully the soft top is in good shape.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > EmbraceTheRasp
05/20/2016 at 09:21

oh shit! I’ll check as soon as I see it again!

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
05/20/2016 at 09:32

Going to try that, thanks!

CaptDale - is secretly British > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/20/2016 at 12:37

Seriously if it is in really good condition and such I would be very very interested in buying it when and if you feel like getting rid of it. Been looking for a nice example for a while now.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > CaptDale - is secretly British
05/20/2016 at 12:53

From the few times I looked it over, it is really clean. But you know how it goes...you miss most of the kinks at first glance, after ive driven it a few times I’ll know more about what im working with.

CaptDale - is secretly British > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/20/2016 at 12:56

Cool, keep us all updated.

Nauraushaun > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
05/20/2016 at 22:09

Drive around in not-so-good weather with the roof off. Rug up if necessary. Watch the clouds at all times.

Drive around in the rain on the highway with the roof off.