10 Obscure Convertibles Most People Have Never Heard Of

2022-08-26 20:10:09 By : Ms. Coco Xiong

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From lackluster economy cars to cool personal-luxury vehicles, here are 10 convertibles that flew under the radar.

Just as it is easy to drop the top of a convertible, your brain can also easily drop convertible models. Since most convertibles are made in relatively low numbers compared to hardtops, they tend to live in more relative obscurity. When you think of a convertible, Ford Mustang convertibles and the Mazda MX-5 Miata roadsters come to mind, but there are tons of others you probably may not know about.

While some of these cars lived in obscurity because of their limited production numbers, others were simply made at the wrong time when the government was clamping down on drop-top vehicles over safety concerns. Regardless of the reasons for their lack of popularity, here are 10 convertibles you never knew existed.

Related: 20 Of The Saddest Convertibles Ever Put Into Production

The Geo Metro hatchback is not remembered by many, so it's not surprising that the more obscure convertible version barely rings a bell. The Geo Metro drop-tops were sold from 1991-1993, and while many believe it lacks machismo, you can't deny it is adorable.

The Geo Metro convertibles were equipped with a rather weak 1.0-liter three-cylinder Suzuki G-series powertrain that makes only 55 horsepower. Power was sent to the wheels via a three-speed automatic or five-speed manual.

German Coachbuilder Karmann teamed up with Volkswagen to bring the idea of the Beetle-based coupe and convertible to life. But since Porsche's 356 offered a way better performance and market dominance, the VW Karmann Ghia lived in relative obscurity.

The Karmann Ghia Convertible was powered by a 1285 cc engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission to produce 40 hp. It weighed about 1,873 pounds, which is a little more than the coupe, so it took 27.0 seconds to achieve 60 mph – a second longer than the coupe.

The Toyota Paseo convertible was introduced in 1996, competing with the semi-topless Honda Civic del Sol. The second generation Paseo was powered by a 5E-FE-series engine paired with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.

The Paseo convertible zooms from 0-60 mph in 11.4 seconds and a quarter-mile in 18.4 seconds. The rear seat of the drop-top Paseo can accommodate only one passenger, but the trunk is up to 6.6 cubic feet.

Related: A Detailed Look At The Forgotten Toyota Paseo Sports Car

At first glance, the Renault Alliance convertible looks like the less obscure Chrysler K-car convertibles built in the 1980s. The convertible version of the Renault Alliance was introduced in 1985 to join the sedan and its unibody was reinforced to achieve the right torsional rigidity.

The Renault Alliance convertible was available in two trims: the L and DL. It offers a comfy ride and a decent combined fuel economy of 27 mpg. However, its power came from a lackluster 1.7-liter engine and the power-operated cloth top was somewhat cumbersome to set up.

The Citroen C3 Pluriel is more than just a convertible, as it can be transformed into a three-door hatchback with a split rear door, or a “pickup” with the rear seats folded. The supermini convertible has a canvas roof that slides back to the rear window when you twist the knob.

A family of four might feel like the Citroen C3 Pluriel is not exactly roomy, but if you want a funky-looking four-seat convertible with decent powertrain options, this vehicle is not a bad choice. Depending on the model year, the Citroen C3 Pluriel is powered by a 1.4-liter HDI diesel engine as well as a 1.4 and 1.6-liter petrol engine.

TVR's design changed significantly in the early 1980s with the introduction of the wedge-shaped Tasmin. The TVR Tasmin is a simple but fun machine with a 2792 cc V6 engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. The razor-edged machine produces up to 150 hp and tops out at 9.0 seconds.

The Tasmin was furnished with leather seats, air conditioning, as well as walnut-trimmed doors, and a dashboard. By the time production ended in 1988, just 862 Tasmin convertibles were made.

The Yugo GVC Cabrio is perhaps the most unloved vehicle ever made, so it's not surprising that many gearheads don't remember it. Just 6,359 Yugos were built in 1990, with a small fraction being convertibles. The Yugos were equipped with a 1.3-liter overhead cam four-cylinder engine.

The Yugo GVC is a decent economy vehicle that uses a 5-speed manual transmission. Emissions concern in the United States was perhaps the biggest nail in the Yugoslavian automaker's coffin, as it officially exited the market and mind of convertible enthusiasts in 1992.

Related: A Detailed Look Back At The Fiat Yugo

The Nissan Micra C+C is a cute little convertible that's affordable, and fun to drive. The Nissan convertible has four seats, but consider the rear seats as extra luggage space rather than for passengers. It is fitted with an all-glass electric folding roof that takes about 20 seconds to retract completely.

There are two powertrain options for the Micra C+C range: an 88-hp 1.4-liter and a 100-hp 1.6-liter. Both engines work with a 5-speed manual transmission. The light steering and easy controls make the Micra C+C feel composed and confident even on uneven roads.

The Infiniti M30 is basically a re-badged Nissan Leopard, with about 12,000 units making it to the States from 1990 to 1992. The Infiniti M30 shared some components of the Skyline and was available in a convertible bodystyle, unlike its Japanese version, which was only offered as a coupe.

To meet the safety requirements of the U.S. at the time, the M30 Convertibles were equipped with bigger bumpers and up to four passengers could fit in the car. Infiniti mounted a 3.0-liter V6 engine on the M30, pairing it to a four-speed automatic.

The Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible comes with significant improvements to the MkII 9-3 Convertible, which was plagued with rigidity problems. However, just as Saab is now a footnote in automotive history, the 9-3 Aero Convertible suffers the same fate.

The Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible was meant go head-to-head with the likes of the BMW 3 Series Convertible, Audi A4 Cabriolet, and even the A5 Cabriolet. About 900 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertibles were made before Saab ended production.

Peter Akpejeluh is a content writer with years of experience in the automotive industry. His love for cars makes crafting colorful stories around them quite effortless. When Peter is not developing automotive content, you can find him taking one of his favorite cars for a spin.