Tribute to the Thar Convertible: Why the open top SUV is special to me

My father was in the Forest Department, and I loved travelling in the Jeep on the few occasions we accompanied him.

BHPian nishsingh recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I had been meaning to write my ownership of the Thar convertible, but I wasn't sure what I could add that other proud owners haven't : the Thar convertible is impractical, immense fun, and guarantees eyeballs.

However, now that the Thar convertible is discontinued, this is my journey and tribute to the open top Jeep. My first memories of any vehicle is a Jeep: My father was in the Forest Department, and I loved travelling in the Jeep on the few occasions we accompanied him.

(Representational image only)

Some of these travels were through the beautiful jungles of Orissa, and these doorless Jeeps allowed the smell of the Jungle to permeate through. Bumpy, bouncy and rolling in the back bench seat is something I didn't mind as we enjoyed, ate and slept through some long journeys. (Something my kids seem to have inherited as well - they slept through the first test drive, although a lot of Team BHPians had warned about the bouncy ride of the new Thar).

Then there was the legacy of the legendary Param Vir Chakra Abdul Hamid - who knocked out and destroyed 6 of the enemy tanks with his Jeep. Yeah, that's the stuff of legends!

(Abdul Hamid's jeep)

PVC Abdul Hamid was from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, not too far from where my father is from, and we grew up hearing tales about his valor (and the love for the Jeep only grew).

Of course, the songs! Some of the greatest hits of both Mohd. Rafi and Kishore Kumar have been picturized on open top Jeeps. (In fact, search on the internet, and you will find that there playlists and blogs dedicated to best songs picturized on a Jeep!)

Be it "Pukarta chala hoon main" or "Mere Sapnon ki Rani" - these songs just added romanticism to the open top Jeep - a dramatically opposite appeal to the sense of adventurism and valor that is associated with the Army and Forest Department jeeps: the open top/ convertible Jeep's appeal is indeed a harmonious contrast!

And if you have been thinking that the Jeep is a man's car, here are some of our lovely leading ladies having a blast while driving the Jeep. Yes, the Jeep is as much a gal's car as it is a guy's car.

Note: Do not miss Dharmendra having impromptu fun at the 1:50 mark - getting out of the door and climbing back atop the moving Jeep!

The convertible Thar may not have been for everyone, but if you do have one - you have a part of automobile history that will never be replicated.

Signing off with a picture of my open top Jeep/ convertible Thar.

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