These days, you get two different stories about convertible tops for coupes, depending on who’s telling the story. The folks at Volvo, who recently introduced the C70 as a hardtop convertible, crow about advantages:• Looks better with its shiny surface. • Looks better longer with no visible wear and tear over time. • Looks better in profile, with its sleek lines. • Offers more noise reduction with its metal barrier to the outside. • Keeps its original color and appearance.The blokes over at Jaguar, who recently introduced the XK softtop convertible, tell us about the advantages of ragtops:• Its color retains the traditional tan look of Jaguar convertibles of the past. • Tan color of fabric has an exclusive appearance that you don’t see on less expensive cars. • The top folds more compactly, leaving more space in the boot for luggage. • Folding mechanism is less complicated, less susceptible to misalignment or failure. • Fabric conveys an emotion of sportiness better than steel.Given the option, I make the fence-sitting choice: I prefer a steel roof for the Volvo, but give me the soft-top, please, when I drive the Jaguar.–Jim DunneJAGUAR XKVOLVO C70
