By Dean Sprague

In the days of yore, part of the attraction in owning a British sports car was the ability to lower the hood (top in American) and surround yourself in nature’s flora and fauna. Unfortunately, exposure to flora and fauna usually comes with UV radiation from the sun. This in itself doesn’t pose great problems if you have been judicious and continuously used 30 or 50 SPF sun block over most of the your life. Unfortunately, I don’t believe they even had sun block when I was young. It seems that sun damage collects over a lifetime of exposure but the worst damage occurs when your skin is young and tender or at least that’s what my dermatologist tells me. The sun damage repair I am enjoying today was mostly catalyzed many driving, diving and boat trips ago. This created a dilemma; should we continue to enjoy the thrills of open-air motoring and use lots of sun block (every 2 hours I am told) or should we take the conservative route and leave the hood in place or better yet get a fixed head classic?

If we created this skin situation during our youth and most of the damage has already been done then why can’t we just use more sun block to prevent further damage and doff the top? While this may make some sense as we rationalize with ourselves I am told that continued exposure to the sun’s rays will continue to do some damage. This is why experts tell us to use really good sun block often and limit exposure.

If this reasoning isn’t working then any additional exposure should be limited (or eliminated) so as not to add insult to injury sort of speak. This is a very practical and conservative approach and should be applauded. However, the fun factor could be at some risk here.

I have been giving this some thought for awhile. I have a dilemma; my 1953 MGTD is an open car and because I am a little too tall for its design height it’s not a great deal of fun to drive with the top up. I can’t see out very comfortably because the windscreen is so short and besides on a really nice warm sunny day it would be preferable to be more in the environment rather than just looking at it.

All this twisted thinking has driven me to some realizations and a few simple conclusions. First, I think we should succumb to the fact that we have a responsibility to protect our bodies. You know, eat right, exercise, get regular physicals, stay out of the sun etc. but we also have a vital need and an obligation to enjoy life, its short enough. Sometimes that means we do things that can put us at risk like driving with the top down. Second, in reflection not all closed cars are ugly and un-fun. Actually, I intentionally bought a 1964 Volvo P1800s (coupe) because it is more comfortable for longer trips/events, it has room for young grandchildren in the back and its weatherproof with more creature comforts like air conditioning plus it will more effectively protect you from the solar elements if I ever finish the restoration. I also just acquired a 2015 Jaguar XKR-S coupe and a 1971 MGBGT. Actually both cars came as convertibles but I think the coupe versions are far more attractive.

I realize this entire coupe is more beautiful than convertible discussion is subjective but when you stop and think about it there are quite a few cars that really do look better as coupes. I have owned several Jaguar E type roadsters and one fixed head. I loved them all but guess which one was my favorite? Also consider the MGB roadster and the GT. I have owned quite a few of both and found that the GTs were not only the most comfortable but actually had superior handling. Many say the Triumph GT6 is much better looking than the Spitfire and the Triumph TR3/4/6 are better looking with their optional hard tops in place and this is just to name a few. I believe the trick to enjoying any closed (or open for that matter) car, in the south anyway came with the innovation of retro air conditioning. This can change your quality of classic car touring experience.

In conclusion, whether closed or open continued use of sun block should be a mandate. Keep a bottle in your glove box at all times. My dermatologist told me, “You have gotten all the sun you will ever need”. So if you want to avoid a lecture from your yours when you drive or go outside cover up as much as you can and as often as you can. A broad rimmed hat doesn’t hurt anything either. I think my days of driving all day long with the top down unprotected are definitely over. Well in the summer anyway. Maybe the real solution lies with the proverb in reference to classic cars “one is never enough”. So let’s limit the use of our convertibles to after sundown and sun-less days. Then we can enjoy our closed cars for all the rest. I think I can make this work, can you? Well either way, Bon Appétit!