Coldest, Longest, Furthest - The Roof Down Competition :D

[v15ben]

Who has the roof down the most? - lets see who really wins!!!

There are a few people on this forum who love to have the roof down at any temperature and any weather regardless of the time of day. I hope to do the same once my name is on the insurance policy of my dad's soft top MINI so I need some inspiration and targets to beat

First question is what is the coldest temperature you have ever been in with the roof down... I am guessing Harry might win this one!

Secondly how many days have you managed to have the roof off this year??

and finally, what are the craziest conditions you have been out in and still put the roof down... lets hear some records and amazing stories of roof down fun and keep updating this thread when the targets have been beaten

MINI Convertible - Roof down or walk

[ayde_bury]

2 Deg C for 15 minutes travelling at a max speed of 80MPH

Ok, so this was my test drive, but I wanted to get in early with an easy one to beat. Will be topless from mid April It would of been longer, but the sales rep started to turn blue with cold.

[neilgj]

Quote: Originally Posted by ayde_bury

2 Deg C for 15 minutes travelling at a max speed of 80MPH

..and with your shirt off, too, I hope

[KPKalle]

Hands down winner just has to be HarryHBMCC. I don't think he ever puts the top up - even at seriously sub-zero temperatures

[Rakey]

roof is down all the time, come rain or shine, even in the snow

Coldest, well however cold it gets, who cares

Longest journey, Glasgow to Derby then onto Birmingham, in March 05, it was chucking it down, but it was still one of the best drives ever, and I am not saying how fast I have been with the roof down

[ThomB]

I got brave last Friday. The sun was out, I got off work at 5:00 PM and it was 32F. I got onto the freeway for my 35 minute ride home. No hat, no gloves, jacket unzipped.
I do have a wind deflector but I forgot to shove something between the seats, so I was getting a cold burst from behind. I think I hit 80 mph a few times, but mainly stay around 70-75. The heater was on full, the seats were on full. I really need to start wearing a hat or something (but I have a big head and look stipid in a hat).

That was the coldest I've ever done on 4 wheels. (I've been stuck on my Beemer in sub freezing temps before.)

[imtiazr]

did half 45 minutes in 2.5 degrees last night cus I just got my car

had the windeflector in and the heating on full :P

[v15ben]

Looks like I will have some targets to beat for when I get to drive the new Convertible

[HarryHBMCC]

-14C is my temperature record.

I've also driven in rain, blowing snow with 80km/h crosswinds, etc.

Distance with the top down? Maximum from Waterloo to Toronto which is 72 miles or 115km on 100km/h posted limit roads. I've been faster than posted at subzero temps with the top down on that freeway. I get a fair number of looks. Friday I did that trip, though it was a bit above freezing so I had no hat or gloves on. A BEP hard-top Cooper gave me a good salute.

How many days this year? It is easier to say how many days I have NOT had the top down which can't be more than a couple when we had freezing rain and even then I suspect I drove it with the top down for at least one trip of the day.

I've had to leave the top down in the winter too. They say you shouldn't raise the top at below -10C and some days it seems warmer than that but ends up colder and then I have to leave the top down. Vinyl seats, rubber floormats, no problem. I'd be more worried in the spring since snow can simply be swept out while a surprise afternoon thunderstorm would not be good. I do leave the windows up so curious hands won't be tempted to reach in, though I leave nothing in it and modern stereos are useless to steal so vandalism is my only real worry (of the human or feathered kind).

Still, it's been a mild winter. I'll have to wait for next year to see if I can handle -20 or -30C.

Harry

[ayde_bury]

Quote: Originally Posted by HarryHBMCC

-14C is my temperature record.

I've also driven in rain, blowing snow with 80km/h crosswinds, etc.


Still, it's been a mild winter. I'll have to wait for next year to see if I can handle -20 or -30C.

Harry

Harry,

Your a very very brave (or mad) man. I think that the only was we could beat your temperatures in the UK is by driving a MINI around in a freezer. Don't often see winters with temperature that stay below freezing all day, let along drop to -14.

Harry we salute you

[v15ben]

I suddenly think I would feel guilty if I was driving without the roof down in the UK! We never get anything that cold :O

[heatherh]

OK, I can maybe compete on distance and craziest conditions

For single-trip distance I've got one trip from Phoenix, AZ to home. 1332 mi (2144 km). About 80% top down and driven over about 34 hours.

The craziest conditions would have to be going over the mountains in the snow on the way to the beach for a friend's wedding in the rain.

[Rakey]

I thought my trip was long

That is a proper road trip and makes my 321.4 miles (517.2 kms) seem like nothing, even thought it covered a big part of the UK in one trip with the roof down all the way in the rain

[HarryHBMCC]

This morning I drove into work (26km) top down, windows down, no hat, -1C, light freezing mist. Just couldn't have another day of hat head. Kind of cloudy but wore my new prescription sunglasses anyways

Harry

[MCSCHB]

This is our route for next week starting saturday morning, forecast is snow Sat & Sun then showers all week an average temp of 1 - 2 degrees celcius.

Will report back in a week on my progress