[classiccars]

I wasn't sure where would be best to show this so here it is - my first car when I moved to UK which I bought in 2005 - Since then I have spend tons of money to keep it up as these being MGF and not in productions are becoming hard to maintain - only 77212 units were made in 6 years

This one is a 1.8i VVC MY 99 with a 143 BHP mid engine configuration - They are classics here and the one of the reason i have kept it and use it occasionally is that it cost me £120 to insure it for a year under classic policy which is 10% of the insurance from my regular car a bmw 318i - not bad

[The Great]

What we want is an actual pure breed Convertible. Well to be honest and also the figures reveal that there are really all and every types of buyers in our market and that makes it our country a huge market for the companies. Take the example of high range bikes like harley's or Hayabusas or high range cars like Audi Bmw's and also Rolls Royce's .. The point i am trying to make is that there is no reason why any convertible wouldnt sell in India. If u see the figures of San Storm which wasnt that good a car sold well within its limits and surpassed its meager targets. So i really wish that the companies rethink about it and we get a really awesome convertible. I for one would be really interested by all means. :-)

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by The Great

What we want is an actual pure breed Convertible. Well to be honest and also the figures reveal that there are really all and every types of buyers in our market and that makes it our country a huge market for the companies. Take the example of high range bikes like harley's or Hayabusas or high range cars like Audi Bmw's and also Rolls Royce's .. The point i am trying to make is that there is no reason why any convertible wouldnt sell in India. If u see the figures of San Storm which wasnt that good a car sold well within its limits and surpassed its meager targets. So i really wish that the companies rethink about it and we get a really awesome convertible. I for one would be really interested by all means. :-)

I think that the numbers are too low even for CKD, hence till the demand catches up, we will have to be satisfied with the CBU imports.

[sugam]

I have always wanted to cut off the roof of my Indica and make it a soft top convertible. A few mods here and there from pros like Autopsyche and it should look good.
I did prepare a few sketches of what I wanted my car to look like after the roof amputation. The final look drew hate it or love it reaction from many people.
Could you guys guide me more about it?
And would such a mod be allowed under the CMV Act?

[bilalsyed]

This question has been in my mind for a very long time now so I thought of asking it here. If such a thread exists, please link it to the same.

1.Can a car without a top, a car which is not even a convertible (without hard-top or a fabric top) be run in India ?
2.Does the RTO allow such vehicles ?
3. If yes then what kind of security measures could be put on the car against theft ?

(The car coming to my mind while thinking of this is a Contessa, pearlascent deep maroon/ black paint and a nice use of chrome traveling through a long desert highway- may be this can be taken up as a new Contessa project ?)

Thank you.

[Ragul]

I don't think there is a special section under RTO rules - my soft top Gypsy was registered as a Saloon!! That said, open tops are ok with upper northern hemisphere countries where the sun is very weak and there is no dust on the roads. you will curse the sun, the heat, and everyone if you try to use it in India.

I use a steering lock but typically forget to use it when I park it.

--Ragul

[mayankjha1806]

Originally Posted by bilalsyed

2.Does the RTO allow such vehicles ?

There is no RTO restriction for this, way back i remember i used to see many topless Chevrolet Impala (in my grandma's place) when the traffic used to be not much on Indian roads and the weather used to be mild (especially the summer and the winter as well) and there was no need to AC in the car.

Even today there is no restriction in the RTO for such cars, although its impractical to buy and drive one in the cities.

[Bottom Torque]

I guess you got this Contessa idea from Nokia TV ads aired recently ... just kidding.. Music system will likely have to be kept safe, because that is the most susceptible item stolen buy car theives. Ensure there is proper locks in glovebox and storage bins. I am not sure about the RTO stuff though

[bilalsyed]

Originally Posted by Ragul

I don't think there is a special section under RTO rules - my soft top Gypsy was registered as a Saloon!! That said, open tops are ok with upper northern hemisphere countries where the sun is very weak and there is no dust on the roads. you will curse the sun, the heat, and everyone if you try to use it in India.

I use a steering lock but typically forget to use it when I park it.

--Ragul

Now this one was really good. A gypsy registered as a saloon BTW are steering locks safe in your opinion ? Open tops can be considered for driving at times when the weather is nice.. like it is these days in chennai !

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

There is no RTO restriction for this, way back i remember i used to see many topless Chevrolet Impala (in my grandma's place) when the traffic used to be not much on Indian roads and the weather used to be mild (especially the summer and the winter as well) and there was no need to AC in the car.

Even today there is no restriction in the RTO for such cars, although its impractical to buy and drive one in the cities.

That was the age of such cars. Cruise around with the wind going through you hair. Now the biggest worry is Birds I guess ?

Originally Posted by Bottom Torque

I guess you got this Contessa idea from Nokia TV ads aired recently ... just kidding.. Music system will likely have to be kept safe, because that is the most susceptible item stolen buy car theives. Ensure there is proper locks in glovebox and storage bins. I am not sure about the RTO stuff though

Haha.. !! Well I had the plan before that add got aired. It was on seeing the add I thought that "yes. someone has done it. But is it feasible ? Its sure gonna be fun driving around in cool weather or in the nights at times"

and yes as you say the AC and Music System should be taken proper care of. Should they be welded to the body ?

[aqualeo2040]

I remember seeing some Contessa Convertible test mules back in 96-97s. However, the dimwits at Uttarpara/HM killed the entire product line up! They did remind me of those old school American convs.

[bilalsyed]

Originally Posted by aqualeo2040

I remember seeing some Contessa Convertible test mules back in 96-97s. However, the dimwits at Uttarpara/HM killed the entire product line up! They did remind me of those old school American convs.

Thank you for this Info aqualeo2040. It would have been great if those would have come to life on roads sir. We never had such cars really.
I remember seeing a red colored Contessa like car back home in lucknow. As per my knowledge it belongs to some brass band people

Looking at the head-lights and front grill it used to remind me of a Tata sierra front with ford escort/ may be SL 600 back. Will post pics as soon as possible.

[aqualeo2040]

Originally Posted by bilalsyed

Thank you for this Info aqualeo2040. It would have been great if those would have come to life on roads sir. We never had such cars really.
I remember seeing a red colored Contessa like car back home in lucknow. As per my knowledge it belongs to some brass band people

Looking at the head-lights and front grill it used to remind me of a Tata sierra front with ford escort/ may be SL 600 back. Will post pics as soon as possible.

I am sure couple of them would be lyin around in the Uttarpara HM Stockyard. If you can pull some strings, you can get yourself one of those samples!

[OmThoke]

Well there are a lot of convertibles in India now, including but not limited to -

- San Storm (head that they're planning to revamp and re-launch it)
- BMW Z4 and 6-series
- Merc E Class convertible
- Audi TT & R8 (there's a coupe, but I guess you can order a convertible too)
- Jaguar XJR
- Mini Convertible (this is the best bet for those who don't want the expensive 70L+ cars)
- Porsche Panamera S, and then you have Bentley Continental, AMs, Ferraris, and all sorts of luxurious ones sold in India

[Mad Max]

While I wonder this, I also wonder about sunroofs / panorama roofs. It would be awesome if some of these cars can incorporate one of these. With one of the best weather in the country, Bangalore people can enjoy a nice cool drive without lowering windows but still have a (to a slightly lesser extent) breezy drive.

As for convertibles, we'll need one of those umbrellas as someone from a bus / lorry may just triangulate your position and let one stream of red spit in your exact direction.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Mad Max

While I wonder this, I also wonder about sunroofs / panorama roofs. It would be awesome if some of these cars can incorporate one of these. With one of the best weather in the country, Bangalore people can enjoy a nice cool drive without lowering windows but still have a (to a slightly lesser extent) breezy drive.

As for convertibles, we'll need one of those umbrellas as someone from a bus / lorry may just triangulate your position and let one stream of red spit in your exact direction.

The severe air pollution here spoils the fun.
If one uses a sun roof one probably would be able to in Ooty or Kodaikanal or Mussoorie or Dehra Dun or somewhere.
Not in one of our horrid cities.
We breathe a highly polluted, very poor quality of air every day which is why many Bangalore people suffer respiratory problems.