Many years ago, when the fake convertible top fad had just started,
I saw a truly fantastic example of the breed parked on the street
in Princeton, NJ. It was something big, like a Cadillac (back
when they were just glorified Chevys). It was fully equipped with
the fake convertible top, including hold-down snaps and wire
inserts in the edge, plus the requisite landau irons and wire
wheel covers, plus two fake chrome straps that seemed to be
holding the trunk lid down. But what really left me collapsed
with laughter in the gutter was the final touch - a sun roof
cut right through the fake convertible top! Only in America!
Since then I've seen further examples of the same madness. I also
enjoy seeing the fake top applied to a car whose doors curl
over somewhat into the roof, producing the interesting effect
that when the door is opened, a slice of the convertible top
comes with it. Great!
Of course, a friend of mine once brought back a BMW grill
from a junkyard (just the double-oval center piece). We
wired it to the front of my old Toyota Corolla and I drove
it for a year or so, eliciting almost no attention whatever.
Jim Beckman att!mtqua!jeb 1955 A-H 100
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