This Week on Hagerty Marketplace: Making the Most of Convertible Weather

Some of us are lucky to live with year-long convertible weather, others are stubborn enough to ignore the difference. If you don’t have a convertible, the last few months may have been spent longing for the chance to put the top down and enjoy a drive along the coast, through some canyons, or cruising old town. There are still a few good weeks of summer left. To mark the occasion, we selected a trio of cabrios that would make the most of the waning days of summer. Don’t stay cooped up in your coupe if you don’t have to.

2002 Chevrolet Corvette

Sold for $13,642

The C5 generation marked a major change for Corvette and set the tone for the following two generations that came after. With a 345hp LS1 and a rear-mounted transmission balancing the weight, it’s a nimble performer. Besides, a bright red Corvette convertible is the quintessential summer car. Just like when it was new, it remains one of the best buys in terms of performance for the money. This one has less than 80,000 miles on the clock and looks like it was very well taken care of, with a black leather interior that shows nicely for its age. Its price is in line for a #3 (Good) condition model with an automatic. A six-speed would have increased its value by 10 percent, making the automatic an even more affordable buy.

1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Sold for $28,890

Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac all produced beautiful coupes, sedans, wagons, and convertibles on the mid-size A-platform, and you couldn’t go wrong in picking a nice example of any of them. The 1968-1972 models were produced in massive numbers and the restoration market for them is robust, but this one already has the hard work handled. This green-on-green 1970 Olds Cutlass Supreme has had a recent paint restoration as well as an all-new interior and it still looks fantastic. Its chassis looks to be in great shape too. Powered by an Olds 350 V-8 with a Turbo 350 trans behind it, this understated drop-top is perfect for summer cruising. Its sale price puts it just under its #2 valuation, reflecting its restored bodywork and interior.

1950 MG TD

Sold for $18,992.50

The TD marked a major evolution of the compact T-type roadster. Compared to its TC predecessor which looks quite similar at first glance, the TC used an updated chassis with and independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, as well as a new transmission. It proved to be a huge hit in the United States and sold well for four years before it was replaced with the TF. This 1950 model spent a third of its life in pieces before it was restored and put back together in 2011 with lots of time and attention spent getting everything just right. Its 13-year-old restoration is still looking great, and its sale price puts it above the model’s #3 (Good) valuation.