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?
View Comments (8)
What about a baseball bat to beat off the babes with?
Great list! Sunscreen is a must, as my friend and I found out when we drove back from Canada last summer and arrived home sporting our own shade of Guards Red skin.
Hairbands/elastics are essential too, because flying hair looks cool in commercials but while you are driving it is nothing but a liability! (If you have a later model Porsche, use the windscreen -- it's pretty easy to install and it works quite well to contain the gusts).
The only thing I would add to your list would be cool music. The wind in your hair and the song of the flat six soothe the midlife crisis, but nothing makes you feel 17 again more than your favorite songs!
I like the "Guards Red" skin comment. Fortunately, the sun wasn't strong enough the other day in our first ride of the season to worry about that. From now on though, sunscreen is a staple.
Good idea on the favorite music. My wife and I were actually talking about changing out the head unit so we could connect the iPod. For right now we'll just burn our favorite road mixes.
Great list!
From experience with my wife's New Beetle Convertible (a.k.a. Caliente), these are definitely some much-needed items.
I'd also like to find one of little elastic clippy things to attach to my baseball cap in case a crosswind takes it off. This has happened to both of us a couple of times and we've been able to doubleback and retrieve our cherished hats, but some kind of little bungee thing would keep it from blowing out of the car entirely. I think I've seen something like this for folks on sailboats but I'm not sure where you could buy one...
1. Sun-block
2. Baseball cap or Porsche cap/hat
3. Sunglasses
4. Small ice chest, knife for cheese, wine/beer opener , 2 plastic wine glasses
5. Porsche windbreaker(s)/jacket(s)
6. Cell Phone
7. Comb/brush
8. Camera / batteries / extra memory card
9. Favorite driving music / Ipod / MP3
For summer outings down the coast to the beach, bring small cooler & picnic basket, loaded with good food, beach blanket, beach shoes, small radio......for beach. You never know here in California. :)
Dedes,
Great additions. Especially the wine!!!
One other thing, depending if your taking a long day trip or weekend get away excursion.
You might check to see if you have:
**Maps, directions and reservation confirmations**
I would think most people keep maps in their car. I do. :)
Don't need maps since I got a Garmin for Christmas, it's brilliant.
For playing the ipod, I have a device that plugs into the 12volt socket and the ipod plays on an unused channel of the FM radio.
In addition to all of the above, I also keep a wicker picnic basket in my porsche c/w plates, cutlery and wine glasses, just need to pack the consumables.