I went for a drive on my lunch hour today in my multi-airbag, ABS-equipped, V-6 sedan, and the song “Red Barchetta” came on the radio. It made me think of old convertibles.

I drove a Fiat 850 Spyder in high school – it had a wooden dashboard, chrome rear-view mirrors, that super UV-proof thick vinyl that convertibles had back then, and a distinctive exhaust note. With a 903cc engine, about 45 horsepower, and 1700 pounds wet, it didn’t exactly accelerate, but it was a hell of a lot of fun to drive.

I was part of a fraternity back then – drivers of MG Midgets, Austin-Healey Sprites, Fiat 124 Spyders, Alfa Spider Veloces and Triumph Spitfires would respond with a tip of a hat or a nod to another ragtop driver with the top down. For one small moment, nationalities didn’t matter – then it was back to jokes about British electrics, “Fix It Again, Tony”, or clueless Alfa drivers and mechanics.

I don’t know if I could drive one of those every day any more – times have changed, cars have gotten bigger, and I’ve gotten older – although I would love to have a 1975-76 Fiat 124 Spyder with 5-spoke campagnolo mags and a bigger weber carb, once I get a house with a usable garage, though. I always loved the exhaust note on the 124s, even though I liked the handling of the mid-engine X1/9 and 850s better.