30 family-friendly £40k cabriolets

Fresh air for all the family

Four-seat convertibles offer a dash more practicality than their two-seat brethren, so you can take the family or an extra pair of friends for an open-air drive.

Here’s our pick of four-seat classic drop-tops that you can buy for less than £40,000, arranged in chronological order.

1. Austin Seven Chummy (1923)

The Austin Seven made almost all other light cars and cyclecars redundant with its simple, rugged design, and the four-seat Chummy was in many ways the closest to its rivals.

A simple open body with fabric roof and side curtains, it offered basic protection from the elements, and it could accommodate four adults at a push.

Thanks to the large number of Austin Sevens built, there are plenty of Chummys still in existence and they offer one of the easiest ways into pre-war car ownership. They are also popular for vintage trials and around £15,000 will bag you a Chummy in very good condition.

2. Singer Nine Roadster (1939)

Singer’s Nine Roadster arrived just in time to be sidelined by the Second World War, but it also meant the firm had a readymade four-seat convertible for post-war production.

Its neat, clean lines were matched by the simple mechanics, and its light weight compensated to some degree for the lowly 36bhp from the 1074cc engine.

The follow-up 4A model gained a four-speed gearbox, and the Nine Roadster remained in production until 1952. A good, usable Nine Roadster will cost around £12,000, and offers decent space and comfort for four.

3. Riley RMD Convertible (1948)

All the elegance of Riley’s RM saloons but with the added appeal of an open body makes the RMD Convertible a desirable, if rare, four-seater drop-top.

Only 502 RMDs were built, using the same 2443cc four-cylinder engine as the saloon to give lively performance for the period.

One of the more spacious four-seat convertibles, the Riley is an ideal cruiser and its roof also offers good wind and weather protection. Despite the limited number built, plenty survive and a sound RMD can be had for around £20,000.

4. Morgan Plus 4 (1950)

Two-seat Morgans are more popular, but the Malvern firm recognised plenty of potential customers needed the extra two seats to carry the kids. By adding four inches to the wheelbase of the existing 4/4 model, Morgan created a new family-friendly line that initially lasted until 1969. However, there have been subsequent Plus 4 models.

The Plus 4 has a slightly ungainly hood when it’s raised, but its bulk isn’t obvious when it’s lowered, and performance is good from the Standard Vanguard and Triumph engines used in the original versions.

As the four-seater is less desirable than the two-seat Morgans of the time, values of the Plus 4 are around £27,000 for very presentable, solid examples.

5. Morris Minor 1000 Tourer (1956)

Morris offered a Tourer based on the Minor MM from launch in 1948. However, the 1000 Tourer that arrived in 1956 provides a more versatile, easier to live with experience for those looking to use their car regularly in the summer months.

Thanks to its 948cc A-series engine with 37bhp, the 1000 Tourer happily burbles along in traffic, while the later 1098cc engine from 1962-on came with 48bhp.

The larger rear window of the 1000 Tourer compared to the MM makes it easier to drive with the roof raised, while the cabin provides decent space for children in the back seats.

The Tourer ceased production in 1968 and many two-door saloons have since been turned in Tourers. Original convertibles cost from about £10,000 for smartly turned-out cars.

6. Sunbeam Rapier (1958)

Sunbeam didn’t initially offer a convertible version of its Hillman Minx-based Rapier, but that was corrected when the Rapier II arrived in 1958.

Its handsome looks and on-trend rear fins gave it a bit of glamour, while the interior could carry four people in comfort and style.

The convertible version benefited from the same upgrades as the two-door saloon model as it progressed into the III and IIIA versions.

However, there were no open-top Rapiers from 1963-onwards when the Rapier IV was introduced. Prices now for the drop-top Rapier in fine fettle start from £10,000.

7. Triumph Herald (1960)

Giovanni Michelotti’s pert styling lent itself to turning Triumph’s small saloon into a four-seat convertible.

When it arrived in 1960, a year after the saloon, the Herald Convertible was instantly popular and offered an interior that felt a cut above its mainstream rivals thanks to the wooden dash.

The convertible enjoyed the same improvements and development as the saloon, and the open-top remained in production until 1971 to outlast the saloon by a few months.

Prices now start at around £6000 for a well-kept Convertible, making it one of the best-value four-seat open-top classic cars.

8. Land-Rover Series IIA (1961)

If you fancy something a bit different, that’s capable of venturing far into the left-field of convertibles, a Land-Rover Series IIA could be just the ticket. The Series II had a short lifespan between 1958 and 1961, while the IIA enjoyed a decade of life. This makes it far more numerous and it came with improved engines.

The joy of the Series IIA as a convertible is you can roll up the sides of the canvas tilt or remove it altogether. With two or four rear seats, it’s also an extremely versatile way to take the family off on adventures, or you could opt for the long-wheelbase model and carry as many as 12 people.

Such is the popularity of the IIA that good ones now command prices from around £12,000.

9. Chevrolet Corvair (1962)

Originally conceived as an economy car, the Chevrolet Corvair developed into a more aspirational machine and this was underlined by the Convertible’s arrival in 1962.

Based on the two-door coupé, the Convertible’s handsome lines were a clean break from the fins and chrome era, while the rear-mounted flat-six engine gave decent performance.

Problems with the Corvair’s handling prompted a revised model in 1954 with improved rear suspension, and this lasted until 1969, though the saloon was discontinued in 1968. Now something of a cult classic, the Corvair Convertible costs around £15,000 and up for good, solid examples.

10. Peugeot 404 Cabriolet (1962)

It may be based on the humble 404 saloon, but Peugeot’s Cabriolet model did not share a single outer piece of bodywork with the four-door.

Pininfarina’s rebody of the 404 into a seductive open-top resulted in a car with near-perfect proportions and a hood that stows away flush with the rear deck.

Rear-seat space is a bit on the tight side for adults, but few will worry about that when driving the handsome 404 Cabriolet. The 1.6-litre engine is solid and quite peppy in fuel-injected form. Don’t be surprised to pay £35,000 for a good 404 Cabriolet.

11. Ford Mustang (1964)

Is there anything a first-generation Ford Mustang cannot do? From flat-out performance car to working-class commuter, it also makes for a very enjoyable four-seat convertible.

A six-cylinder engine offers a more affordable entry to Mustang ownership, but most want the sound and added power of the smallblock V8.

If you’re lucky, you might find a Mustang convertible for £20,000, but it’s more likely you’ll need to spend another £10,000 on top of that to secure a lovely V8 version.

12. Bond Equipe 2-Litre (1968)

The convertible version of the Bond Equipe 2-Litre arrived a year after the coupé went on sale in 1967.

This meant the drop-top enjoyed the added power of the 104bhp six-cylinder engine over the earlier 95bhp motor, which offset the added weight of the convertible.

The glassfibre body of the Equipe allowed Bond to style it in such a way the hood stowed flush with the rear deck. However, it also pinched back-seat space, so the 2-Litre is more of a two-plus-two than full four-seater.

Reckon on spending around £7000 for an Equipe 2-Litre convertible in excellent shape.

13. Triumph Stag (1970)

If the Triumph Stag had enjoyed better reliability when new, a lot more than the 25,000 or so that did roll off the line would have found willing homes.

As it is, the Stag’s original issues have long since been cured, and make this a pretty and enjoyable way for four to make the most of sunny weather.

The hood’s design limits visibility when it’s raised, but the optional hardtop remedies this for all-year use. With the hood stowed, the Triumph’s roll-bar arrangement keeps the body rigid, while the 3.0-litre V8 is one of the best-sounding in the business.

Find an excellent Stag and you’ll spend about £20,000.

14. BMW 2002 (1971)

BMW had already offered the earlier 1602 as a cabriolet, but the 2002 arrived in 1971 with a Baur-converted top that included a hoop running between the rear door pillars with a quarter window also integrated behind it. This made for a more rigid structure, albeit one without as clean a profile as the earlier models.

However, the 2002’s greater performance more than compensated and the style was carried over to the 3 Series convertible that replaced the ’02.

The fine driving manners and practicality of the 2002 Cabriolet mean you’ll need to find £25,000 for a very clean one today.

15. Lancia Beta Spider (1975)

It was typical of Lancia to come up with a clever solution to the demands of a four-seat convertible.

Based on a shortened saloon Beta floorpan, the Spider was designed with a substantial central hoop with removable roof sections above the front seats. At the rear, a fold-down roof opened the cabin fully to the elements.

There was a choice of 1.6- and 2.0-litre engines for the Spider, both giving peppy performance, so it’s a shame only 9390 Beta Spiders were built. Today, a well-sorted example will demand £15,000.

16. Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet (1979)

Built by Karmann for Volkswagen, the Golf Cabriolet brought the prospect of al fresco driving back to the mainstream in 1979.

It used a roll hoop to keep the body sufficiently stiff, while the thickly padded hood rested on rather than in the rear deck.  This didn’t matter to buyers, who bought more than 400,000 Mk1 Golf Cabriolets up to 1993 – and its replacement by the Mk3-based model.

Volkswagen cannily offered the Golf drop-top in a number of trim levels, including a GTI version. With better performance and practicality than a Beetle Cabriolet, the Golf is also a bargain in comparison to its air-cooled ancestor, with prices from £7000 for an excellent car.

17. Bristol Beaufighter (1980)

Developed from the 412 convertible, the Bristol Beaufighter came with two major updates over its predecessor.

The first was the new styling with quad headlamps, while the second was under the bonnet in the form of a turbocharged 5.9-litre V8 with undisclosed power.

However much it was making, it was enough to see the Beaufighter from 0-60mph in 5.9 secs and on to 150mph.

As with many convertibles of the period, the Beaufighter had a central roll bar. A removable panel sat above the front passengers and, behind, a fabric roof section folded down. Only a handful of Beaufighter convertibles were built and a sound example will fetch around £35,000.

18. Reliant Scimitar GTC (1980)

In many ways the spiritual successor to the Triumph Stag, the Reliant Scimitar GTC should have been a runaway success.

However, the Scimitar’s heyday was very much in the rear-view mirror by the time the GTC was launched in 1980 and only 443 were sold up until its demise in 1986.

If sales were slow, it wasn’t because the GTC was a bad car. Its stiff body structure combined with slightly softer suspension than the GTE’s to give a very comfortable ride and drive, but still with good handling.

The Ford V6 engine offered strong performance, and the rear seats were ideal for kids. Budget £10,000 and you can enjoy a Scimitar GTC that’s in good shape.

19. Ford Escort Cabriolet (1983)

Created to steal sales from the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet, it was telling that Ford had to turn to the same coachbuilder as VW to develop its contender.

German firm Karmann was responsible for the first Escort Cabriolet, based on the front-drive Mk3 model. There were 1.3- and 1.6-litre engines shared with the hatch, but the one to have was the 103bhp fuel-injected 1.6 from the XR3i.

Even with a central roll bar, the Escort was not the last word in body rigidity, but sales proved strong and the Mk4-based version took over from 1986. Bank on spending £8000 to own an Escort Cabriolet in very good condition.

20. Jaguar XJ-S Cabriolet (1983)

It took Jaguar eight years from the end of the E-type until it offered another convertible model, which arrived in the shape of the XJ-S Cabriolet.

Due to the XJ-S never being intended as an open car, the Cabriolet had a lift-out panel over the front seats and a fabric roof section at the back. The doors and side windows remained the same as the coupé version’s.

At first, Jaguar only offered the Cabriolet with the 3.6-litre straight-six, but the V12 became an option from 1985. Both had cramped rear seats and the fully open XJ-S Convertible that was launched in 1988 was a strict two-seater.

Values for the four-seat XJ-S Cabriolet mean you’ll pay £25,000 for a fine 3.6 and a small premium for the V12.

21. Maserati Biturbo Spyder (1984)

Maserati had always intended to make an open version of the Biturbo and it came good on its promise three years after the launch of the coupé.

Its neat lines were enhanced by the hood folding cleanly away behind the rear seats. Space in the two back seats was better suited to children, but at least the Maserati gave buyers this option when most rivals were only two-seaters.

There was a 2.0-litre V6 at first, followed in 1985 by a 2.5 V6, and performance was brisk. However, the Biturbo Spyder struggled for sales when a BMW 325i Convertible looked similar, went well, and was a lot less money.

Now, a Spyder will cost you around £20,000 for one in excellent fettle.

22. BMW 3 Series E30 (1985)

Following the Baur-converted 3 Series, BMW brought Convertible production in-house for the 1985 model. At a stroke, the brand created one of the most desirable cars of its decade.

It didn’t need the central roll hoop thanks to a significantly strengthened windscreen frame, and BMW found enough room for the hood to fold neatly out of sight behind the rear seats. The hood could also be ordered with optional power operation.

The E30 3 Series Convertible was launched with the 2.5-litre straight-six and was joined by a 2.0-litre ‘six’ in 1987, and the four-cylinder 318i in 1991. All are good to drive and worth £20,000 in superb order.

23. Peugeot 205 CTI (1986)

The Peugeot 205 GTI is rightly revered as a hot hatch benchmark while the convertible CTI is overlooked.

This makes the four-seat convertible a clever choice, because very clean examples can be had for £10,000, or half what you’d pay for the hatch. If you don’t want to spend that, Peugeot also made the CJ convertible with a 65bhp 1.4-litre engine, and you can find these in decent order for £3000.

Like its Ford and Volkswagen rivals, the 205 CTI has a roll hoop to maintain the strength of the body, while the hood folds down to sit on the rear deck. The upside of this is the Peugeot retains as much rear seat space as the brilliantly packaged 205 hatch.

24. Saab 900 Convertible (1986)

Few convertibles mix elegance, performance, comfort and style with such aplomb as the Saab 900.

Based on the idiosyncratic 900 three-door hatch, the Convertible was launched with 145bhp turbocharged power from its 2.0-litre engine. However, an update to the whole 900 range arrived soon after and increased power for the Turbo models to 175bhp, so the drop-top was capable of 0-60mph in 7.5 secs.

The superbly comfortable and high-grade cabin is ideal for four people to enjoy open-air driving, and the 900 is also more than capable of being used all-year round. Given its broad appeal, paying £12,000 for a 900 Convertible in top form feels like money well spent.

25. Audi Cabriolet (1991)

Audi cut straight to it with the name for its four-seat open-top that arrived in 1991. The Cabriolet was based on the equally clearly named Coupé platform, which meant a front-wheel-drive car with a choice of 1.8- and 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines, a five-cylinder 2.3-litre motor, or 2.6- and 2.8-litre V6s.

All were hung over the front axle, so handling was never as sharp as the BMW 3 Series Convertible’s, but the Audi made up for this with its good looks, quality and sense of dependability.

The Cabriolet’s image was helped along by Princess Diana driving one, yet values for the Audi have not rocketed in the same way as many modern classics from this era. Around £7000 will net you a very good Cabriolet and there are plenty to pick from, because Audi built 71,510 in all.

26. Mercedes-Benz 124-series cabriolet (1991)

Expensive and coveted when new, Mercedes’ 124-series drop-top went on sale in 1991 to immediate acclaim as a luxury four-seat convertible.

Along with its coupé sister, the open-top model was built to an even more exacting standard than the saloon they were based on. This helped justify the price, though some might have questioned why they had to pay extra for a power-operated roof.

Mercedes broadened the engine line-up in 1993, adding 2.0- and 2.2-litre four-cylinder motors, and revising the six-cylinder options. Always a classy way to enjoy roof-down driving, a 124-series cabriolet in exceptional condition can still be found for £20,000.

27. BMW 3 Series E36 (1993)

With a Convertible now an established member of the BMW 3 Series range, the new-for-the-1990s E36 generation gained an open model in 1993.

Crisp lines and a thickly insulated hood made this Convertible a big hit throughout its lifespan that lasted up to 1998.

BMW offered the 3 Series Convertible with four- and six-cylinder petrol engines, as well as in very fast M3 form.

With so much focus on the E30 generation of 3 Series, even an E36 M3 Convertible can be bought in superb condition for £15,000. A third of that sum will get you a very good example of any of the other models from the E36 line-up.

28. Peugeot 306 Cabriolet (1993)

Peugeot and Pininfarina teamed up once again to create a dramatic and pretty four-seat convertible, this time based on the 306 hatch.

There was some scuttle shake created by lopping off the hatch’s roof, but the 306 Cabriolet was so attractive, and well priced, that few noticed or bothered. It also came with excellent handling and an electrically operated roof.

Peugeot offered 1.6-, 1.8- and 2.0-litre engines for the Cabriolet, and the larger units are the ones to have. Find a clean 306 Cabriolet and you’ll spend around £4000 for a really lovely one.

29. Mercedes-Benz CLK cabriolet (1997)

Although styled in a similar fashion to the contemporary E-Class, the 1997 CLK was every inch a BMW 3 Series rival, and that applied to the Cabriolet, too.

Underneath the skin, the CLK was built on a C-Class platform, so it was more of a cruiser than sporty open-top, but that suited the four-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines. If you wanted real performance, the AMG models provided that.

Rust was something of an issue for this period of Mercedes, but there are plenty of cared-for A208-generation CLK cabriolets out there from as little as £2000. That makes this four-seat Mercedes a keen buy.

30. Volvo C70 (1997)

Finally waking up to the success of its countryman Saab in the convertible market, Volvo launched the C70 coupé and open-top models in 1997.

While the coupé was aimed at the more sporting driver, the convertible was more cruiser than bruiser. A bit of scuttle shake was easily detectable, but smooth power from the five-cylinder petrol engines charmed plenty of buyers.

There’s a ready supply of C70 Convertibles and £2500 will get you into one that has been looked after. That feels like good value for a car that was part-developed by Tom Walkinshaw Racing and comes with an electrically operated roof as standard.