Experienced cabriolet owners will probably laugh after reading this post. Once you pick yourself up off the floor please take a minute to let me know what else can be added to the list. I’m sure there are many more items that would be quite useful.
The set-up
Northern New England experienced its first taste of spring yesterday. With temperatures reaching into the low 70s it is just possible to believe that our long winter is finally behind us.
Spring represents a lot of things to a lot of people. To me it represents my Porsche coming out of winter hibernation (watch for next week’s post on preparing your car for the road after a long winter nap.) As a result, I’m always paying extra close attention to the weather forecasts trying to pick the perfect day to put my 993 back on the road.
This year, my anticipation, for the arrival of spring, was heightened by the addition of a cabriolet to the garage. When I noticed the temperatures rising today it was with great excitement that I realized I was going to get to go for a ride and even better I was going to be able to do so with the top down.
No big deal you say. It was to me. Having never owned a cabriolet before, this was the culmination of years of desire. So it was with no small amount of eagerness that I started up the car, unlatched the roof and pushed the magic button that quickly exposed the sun and sky. Car running? Top Down? Windows Down? Wife strapped into the passenger seat? Check, Check, Check and Check. Time to roll out….
The ride
We were quickly off and running and enjoying ourselves immensely. However, we weren’t more than 10 minutes into the ride when we realized there were a few things we could have used with us in the car (some sun block for starters). While cruising on the back roads, the wind was very minor and easy to deal with but, once we decided to make a run for the beach and jumped on the interstate we soon realized that we were in need of a baseball cap (for me) and some type of hair elastic (for my wife). Once at the beach we were so thrilled with the nice weather we ended up staying out later than planned. As we made the decision to turn-around and head home we both realized that the temperature was now closer to 50 than it was to 70 and the mercury was still dropping. It would have been a really great idea if we had thought to bring along a parka or jacket of some type. I know, we could have just put the top up, but remember I’m a guy and dammit we were out for a ride with the top down (see yesterday’s post as a reminder of what I’m talking about).
Have a convertible? Keep these items in the car
So, where does this leave us? Easy, with a list of must have items every Cabriolet owner should keep in their car at all times (and I’m sure the experienced ones already do).
- Sun-block
- Baseball cap(s)/scarf
- Sunglasses
- Hair Elastic(s)
- Windbreaker(s)/jacket(s)
- Lip balm
- Comb/brush
- small fleece blanket (my wife would have liked it for her lap)
- Extras of everything
Let me know your thoughts. What do you keep in your cabriolet and why?
