Open survivors
If you study today’s price lists, you will see a significant new crop of brands from – especially – China and emerging countries such as Vietnam (VinFast) and Turkey (Togg). Old, faithful brands such as Daihatsu, Rover and Saab and short-lived exotics such as Daewoo (later Chevrolet), Hummer and Landwind have left our country, often to the chagrin of fans. These types of brands can only be found on the used car market. In order to honor the historically mobile heritage, we portray three ‘survivors’ this time. Because the 30 degrees are in sight for the first time, we are looking for convertibles of such disappeared brands. Nice and airy and (almost) classic, for €10,000.
As can be read above, there are plenty of brands to choose from. To keep the search manageable, we opt for three convertibles – summer has in fact already started! We visit the showrooms with €10,000. What do we come home with?
Saab 9-3 Cabriolet SE 2.0 T Anniversary aut. – 2003 – 189,133 kilometers – €9,900
A convertible from a vanished brand? That’s a no-brainer: we literally have to put a topless Saab in the spotlight. Plenty of choice, but the asking prices are generally not tender. As if they want to take an advance on the classic status of such a homeless Swede. From the offer we chose this Saab 9-3: 20 years old (youngtimer, so fiscally attractive for the entrepreneur), but less than 200,000 euros. Almost 10 grand, but including a one-year Bovag warranty. In addition, both previous owners have always had the car serviced by a brand dealer or specialist.
Under the hood, a blown two-liter, good for 150 hp, purrs. In combination with the automatic transmission, this ensures relaxed cruising on not too fast, but flat roads. Because the convex windscreen creates quite a few wind swirls for the occupants. If you want to prevent this, it is best to drive with the side windows up. A completely open Saab also likes to twist. The hood itself is electrically operated.
By the way, measured to two decades ago, the 96-NB-DF is quite richly equipped: cruise and climate control, gray beige leather upholstery that contrasts beautifully with the metallic blue paint, rear parking sensors and of course Saab features such as headlight wipers and seat heating. Four occupants have enough living space, the furniture is excellent. You can see, especially on the dashboard, that time has not stood still. You must therefore be a Saab adept, because more modern four-seater convertibles from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are for sale for the same money. But yes, those are not ‘dead’ brands.
For four people, when the hood is open, the luggage space is logically limited, but remarkably enough, this decapitated Swede can drag no less than 1,600 kilos with brakes. Can you still take all your stuff with you! Finally: a Saab always remains stylish, never becomes vulgar as it ages, which you cannot say about a number of the above brands …
Signaling
Brand Saab
Type 9-3 Cabriolet SE 2.0 T Anniversary aut.
Construction year July 2003
Mileage 189.133
Asking price €9,900
Where to buy? Car company Roetert, Loenen
Technical data
engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,985 cc, turbo
max. assets 110 kW/150 hp at 5,500 rpm
max. couple 240 Nm at 1,800 rpm
Luggage room 295L/378L
max. trailer braked 1,600 kilograms
Avg. consumption 1:9.8
0-100km/h 10.5s
Top speed 205 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Chrysler Crossfire Roadster 3.2i-V6 – 2004 – 174,037 kilometers – €9,994
If it is a lot sportier, you could opt for a Chrysler Crossfire. It looks exotic – and certainly beautiful, we think -, but under the skin it is ‘just’ the Mercedes-Benz SLK of the first generation (also recommended by the way), resulting from the now long-dissolved marriage of Daimler and Chrysler. This means that certain parts are interchangeable, so that does not have to stand in the way of purchasing. Where the SLK was supplied with a variety of engines, the Americans always placed a 3.2 V6 under the hood of the Crossfire, also in combination with a compressor, with the 335 hp strong block of the SLK 32 AMG. It was called SRT6. It was available as a roadster and a coupe.
We chose this Chrysler Crossfire from the range. Just under 10 grand, but beware: you have to pay extra for a one-year Bovag warranty. Do it, because since the import in 2019, the G-279-FK has already worn out four Dutch owners and that is probably not only due to family expansion.
Built by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany, this two-person sports car looks muscular and stocky. Its 218 hp six-cylinder, which in this case is coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox, fully lives up to that. The rear spoiler that unfolds automatically at 100 km/h provides extra spectacle. Typically American is the extensive standard equipment. Everything we mentioned above with the Saab, the Crossfire offers plus things like electrically adjustable front seats, 19-inch alloy wheels and some safety items, such as traction control. Too bad: in the SLK-like interior we see some worn spots here and there.
Chrysler Crossfire, always with 3.2 V6, the SLK was also available with four cylinders.
Nice: the seller shows a photo of the motorcycle. Looks neat and fresh! At the time, the Crossfire competed with open sports cars such as the Alfa Romeo Spider, Audi TT, BMW Z3/Z4, Nissan 350Z and – although more expensive – the Porsche Boxster. It indicates where to place this somewhat unknown powerhouse. This occasion also has the youngtimerstatus has been achieved, making it attractive from a tax point of view for entrepreneurs.
Signaling
Brand Chrysler
Type Crossfire Roadster 3.2i-V6
Construction year September 2004
Mileage 174,037
Asking price €9,994
Where to buy? Car company Frans Wolters, Enter
Technical data
Engine V6, 3,199 cc
max. assets 160 kW/218 hp at 5,700 rpm
max. couple 310 Nm at 3,000 rpm
Luggage room 104 l
max. trailer braked note
Avg. consumption 1:9.6
0-100km/h 6.5s
Top speed 242 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Daf 55 Beachcomber – 1970 – 00,323 kilometers – €8,945
If we are saving mobile heritage, why not Dutch mobile heritage? Moreover, this Daf 55 Beachcomber sprayed in neon yellow (not: neon yellow) brightens up the street scene! We are dealing here with an extremely rare vehicle. Havas in Hilversum converted a standard Daf 44, 46, 55 or 66 into a leisure vehicle à la Mini Moke or Fiat 500/600 Jolly in about three weeks. Equipped with a black linen hood, removable polyester doors and safety chains, a cool beach cart was ready. We do not think that many seniors, district nurses and nuns (the main Daf clientele) have had such a hip conversion carried out, partly in view of the conversion costs, which quickly amounted to 25 percent of the total 55 new price. If we then also mention that the 27-05-MG was delivered new in our country in January 1970, Daf enthusiasts rush to Leiden. It’s right there at… the Suzuki dealer! Perhaps exchanged for a Cappuccino?
The provider is honest: he doubts about certain details whether it is a real Havas (the RDW does mention ‘Daf 55 Cabriolet’) and the 53-year-old four-wheeler is not entirely in showroom condition. Doesn’t matter: our budget allows €1,000 to make it completely tidy. A previous owner has in any case made it sportier: we see the Marathon package (sport wheels, thick exhaust in the middle). Furthermore, the interior is embellished with extra wood veneer. Do know that it is really an oldie. Performance, comfort and safety are from that era. In addition, the 55 does not yet have the De Dion axle of the 66, so don’t take corners too quickly! But oh well, with this piece of Dutch prosperity from past times, it is mainly time to relax. Oh yes: the odometer shows 00.323. There must be a 1 for that. A 2 seems unlikely to us with such a nice-weather car! Lovers: hurry, you won’t find this soon!
Signaling
Brand Daf
Type 55 Beachcomber
Construction year January 1970
Mileage 00.323
Asking price €8,945
Where to buy? Suzuki Leiden By Bart, Leiden
Technical data
engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,108 cc
max. assets 37 kW/50 hp at 5,000 rpm
max. couple 76 Nm at 3,000 rpm
Luggage room 465 l
max. trailer braked n/a
Avg. consumption 1:12
0-100km/h 19 s
Top speed 136 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Which of these three topless survivors is right for you?
In summary: we have deliberately raked together three completely different convertibles this time: a family car, a two-person roadster and a homegrown classic. In addition to these three examples, the range of topless ‘survivors’ is certainly not easy with a budget of 10 grand. Of course the Daihatsu Copen. But further? Which ones have we forgotten? And, by extension: what would your choice be?
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl