Who's for fresh air?

Sir,

What has happened to the British family drophead? Since its conception the British motorist has sported the drophead, even with our inclement weather, but suddenly in the last three or four years we seem to have changed our habits. Only the young die-hards and enthusiasts are to be seen on the road and then, more often than not, in two-seaters.

The only standard four-seater dropheads to be found at the Motor Show were on the Triumph stand: the Herald and Vitesse, and both these models I understand are to be discontinued within the next 12 months.

This leaves the motorist with only one alternative—an expensive one at that—and that is to have a family saloon converted either by Abbotts or Crayfords. Abbotts offer the only four-seater Capri and Crayfords a four-seater Cortina. Surely there is a market for such an animal—the family fourseater drophead?

What am I to do now that my family and I are growing too big for my Lotus Elan?

Harlington.
Anthony Smith.