Convertible Road Trip Essentials

One of the best feelings in the world is being on the open road, headed to a new and exciting destination. The only thing that could make an exciting road trip even better is taking your convertible along for the ride! We know that traveling in a convertible can be different than traveling in a typical car, so it might be intimidating for the first-timer. Here are our top five essentials that you need when making a road trip in your convertible.

Soft Top Repair Supplies

Accidents happen. Whether you hit a stray tree branch or you hit bad weather, soft tops can be prone to damage. This can be especially worrisome if you are trying to complete a multi-hour drive. It’s always smart to keep a quick soft top repair solution in your car, regardless of the occasion. However, it’s especially important to have something on hand for a long road trip. We recommend something compact and easy-to-use such as Gear-Aid Tenacious Tape or Tear-Aid. These instant solutions will have your soft top patched up and ready to be back on the road in no time. For a more detailed explanation of these products, check out our blog about the different kinds of convertible repair supplies.

Roadside Emergency Kit

The primary concern of your trip should always be safety. Ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers by being prepared in case of any emergencies. Make sure you have essentials like jumper cables, a first aid kit and flashlight at the very least. For those wanting to be extra ready, check out this nifty kit available on Amazon. It includes everything you might need for a number of emergencies, including the essentials previously mentioned and even containing helpful extras such as an emergency sign, gloves and bungee cord. The kit contains 33 pieces, so you’ll be sure to have something on hand in the event of any mishaps.

Car Fluids

Especially if you have an older vehicle, it’s important to keep fluids on hand in case you are in a remote location in which roadside assistance cannot reach you. It’s a smart move to have car fluid on hand to make a quick DIY repair to get you to a safe location in which help can get to you. Make sure to bring a gallon of water in case your car overheats, antifreeze and oil. Other fluid options include transmission fluid, wiper washer fluid and brake fluid, just in case. Make judgments of what fluids to bring with you based on the needs of your specific vehicle. It’s also a good idea to get your car inspected before your trip to ensure your car is in good shape for traveling.

Paper Map or Route Screenshots

In the digital age, paper maps have somewhat gone out of style. Why bother with a large, cumbersome piece of paper when you can simply look up directions on your phone with GPS? Although this tactic may work when we’re within range of a good cell signal, it’s entirely possible that you will lose bars as you drive through rural areas. It’s smart to keep a map on hand in case you get hopelessly lost, or at the very least, screenshot your route on your phone so you know where you are going. If you’re a fan of Google Maps, you can keep the app open and it won’t end the route if you go outside of cell signal. The app can even pinpoint where you are, although it can’t reroute.

Tire Chains

This essential really only applies if you are traveling during the winter or to a destination where there is likely to be snow. However, if you’ve ever encountered an unexpected snowstorm, you know how important tire chains can be to the success of your trip. It’d be a shame to have to turn around due to bad weather when it can be easily solved with these compact tools. Additionally, state police often require the possession of tire chains to ensure the safety of those on the road.

For any roadtrip, you need to make sure you’re prepared. If your convertible top is ready for a tune up, make sure to shop at AutoTopsDirect.com and work with one of our preferred suppliers!

Our Favorite Moments From the Goodwood Festival of Speed

For over two decades, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has enchanted automotive fans. Including a variety of thrilling events like the Forest Rally Stage, Supercar Run, Moving Motor Show and Famous Annual Hill Climb, this festival is packed with exhilaration for car enthusiasts. In addition to the excitement of the motor events, the show often presents an opportunity for car manufacturers to reveal brand-new products. Given these impressive credentials, we believe this event is one of the best in the industry. Check out our five favorite moments from the festival below.

1. Aston Martin wows with the center display.

Each year, the festival consistently delivers a stunning center display to welcome guests. This year was certainly no exception. Aston Martin, the luxury British car manufacturer, created this gorgeous piece in honor of the 70 years since the company’s first race at Goodwood. It is also a nod to the 60 years since its first and only victory at the Le Mans race. The display features the Aston Martin DBR1, a classic racing car first constructed in 1956. This car is the same model as the one that won at Le Mans. Displaying the DBR1 is a fantastic homage to automotive innovation, made even more impressive by the height of the centerpiece.

2. The festival honors a legend.

This year, the Goodwood Festival chose to celebrate the record-breaking career of Michael Schumacher. Schumacher, a retired German racing driver, is often lauded as one of the world’s best Formula One drivers. He is the only driver in history to win an astonishing seven Formula One World Championships, five of which were consecutive. This record still stands today as the most championships won by any driver. The year 2019 marks Schumacher’s 50th birthday in addition to the 25th anniversary of his first Formula One World Championship. In a touching display featuring famous cars, family and friends, the festival came together to honor the legacy of this racing legend.

3. Land Rover opens the show.

As a fantastic start to the festival, Land Rover unveiled its highly anticipated new Defender. This was the vehicle’s first debut to the public, and it did not let us down. The Defender is Land Rover’s most enduring model, and it is beloved by fans of the brand. Its newly updated design is inspired by the Land Rover’s original 1948 model, updated to fit modern-day style and necessities. This redesigned model certainly impressed, and we are excited to see it on the market soon.

4. Volkswagen I.D. R sets a new hill climb record.

Every year, manufacturers test their latest and greatest vehicles during a race for time up the Goodwood hill. This year, the all-electric Volkswagen I.D. R set a new festival record. The record was previously held by McLaren when in 1999 its MP4/13 F1 car earned an impressive time of 41.60 seconds. Averaging 101.4 mph along the course, Volkswagen’s I.D. R defeated McLaren’s long-held title with a stunning time of 41.18 seconds. Even more surprisingly, later during the festival, the I.D. R went on to break its own record when its second run was completed in a time of 39.90. We are certainly impressed by this record-breaking car!

5. Lexus announces a new convertible.

Given that we are convertible enthusiasts, it’s no surprise that this announcement was our absolute favorite thing from the festival. Lexus unveiled a stunning convertible version of its luxurious, beloved LC. Although the LC has been on the market for some time, Lexus is revamping this fan favorite by adding a convertible option. We might be biased, but a convertible top makes any car better, especially one with the impressive design of the Lexus LC. The prototype was given a test run up the famous Goodwood hill, driven by professional racing driver Nick Cassidy. Lexus later announced that the car is expected to hit the market sometime in the near future.