Marty Padgett's Inside Scoop on Auto News and Cabriolet

Challenger Convertible to Bow at SEMA

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, October 20th, 2008

GOTCHA. Or at least Florida-based Coach Builders Ltd., an aftermarket cabriolet converter firm, according to Carscoop, got us, prompting a feverish double-take at the evil green, uber-'70s bad boy with a dropped top and the HEMI 6.1-liter from the Challenger SRT8. Make that a Vortech-supercharged 6.1-liter HEMI, which Carscoop says will belt out 425 to 560 horsepower and a tarmac twisting 510 pound-feet of torque. Looking like a grinning Grinch who stole your Civic, Coach Builders Ltd.'s creation will make its grand public debut at SEMA rolling proudly on Foose 22s and sporting SRT nomenclature on its muscled rear haunches. This conversion... GOTCHA. Or at least Florida-based Coach Builders Ltd., an aftermarket cabriolet converter firm, according to Carscoop, got us, prompting a feverish double-take at the evil green, uber-'70s bad boy with a dropped top and the HEMI 6.1-liter from the Challenger SRT8. Make that a Vortech-supercharged 6.1-liter HEMI, which Carscoop says will belt out 425 to 560 horsepower and a tarmac twisting 510 pound-feet of torque. Looking like a grinning Grinch who stole your Civic, Coach Builders Ltd.'s creation will make its grand public debut at SEMA rolling proudly on Foose 22s and sporting SRT nomenclature on its muscled rear haunches. This conversion... Read More

Tags: Aftermarket/Tuning, Enthusiasts, New Products, SEMA, Styling, Cars We Love

Posted in: 1998, Audi, Dodge, Convertible, Cabriolet

MINI Confirms Ute; Magna To Build

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, December 5th, 2007

Back in 2001 it was a matter of pride for BMW that it was building the all-new MINI in the U.K., home of the original city car that was launched in August 1959. Using the former British Leyland plant at Cowley, Oxford, gave the car credibility even though it was a German project. But that was before the cute car became a global sales phenomenon, spawning a cabriolet and now the Clubman estate. The next stage, as widely predicted, is a MINI Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), and there’s simply not room at Cowley to build it. The answer has come in the form of Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. “The vehicle concept has been entrusted to Magna Steyr... Back in 2001 it was a matter of pride for BMW that it was building the all-new MINI in the U.K., home of the original city car that was launched in August 1959. Using the former British Leyland plant at Cowley, Oxford, gave the car credibility even though it was a German project. But that was before the cute car became a global sales phenomenon, spawning a cabriolet and now the Clubman estate. The next stage, as widely predicted, is a MINI Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), and there’s simply not room at Cowley to build it. The answer has come in the form of Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. “The vehicle concept has been entrusted to Magna Steyr... Read More

Tags: Miscellaneous

Posted in: 1998, Audi, Cabriolet

Kia cee'd Cabriolet Takes to Geneva

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, February 22nd, 2007

Kia's just released this image of the cee'd concept cabriolet they're bringing to the Geneva show next month. The brand's first ragtop has been penned under Peter Schreyer, ex-VW designer now leading the Korean company's efforts. More on the ex_cee'd concept - TheCarConnection.com Kia's just released this image of the cee'd concept cabriolet they're bringing to the Geneva show next month. The brand's first ragtop has been penned under Peter Schreyer, ex-VW designer now leading the Korean company's efforts. More on the ex_cee'd concept - TheCarConnection.com Read More

Tags: Europe, Geneva Motor Show, Shoppers

Posted in: 1998, 2007, Audi, Kia, Cabriolet