--- title: "Best Vintage Ragtops For Soaking Up Ultraviolet" description: "Yes. We just called a 1928 Bentley a “ragtop.”" date: "2016-02-13" modified: "2021-05-09" authors: - name: "Ben Keeshin" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/ben-keeshin" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/vintage/2178/best-vintage-ragtops-for-soaking-up-ultraviolet" categories: - "Culture" - "History" - "News" tags: - "vintage" --- # Best Vintage Ragtops For Soaking Up Ultraviolet ![]() *\www.thedrive.com* Though it’s a frightfully elegant affair, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance tagline might be “show and sell.” Because while the formal invitations and prestige belong to those special cars parading across the Amelia Island golf course, the metal being sold a couple of tents over by Sotheby’s and RM is every bit as good. And, by good, we mean “superlatively beautiful,” “rarer than a Trump apology” and “more expensive than Zeus’ robe.” This March, when droves of the monied and seer-sucked drive across that causeway into the dank, tropical environment of the island, they will have the option to buy metal so fine, it might even qualify for the concours. For example, check out these ragtops. (Our apologies: spiders, spyders, tourers and roadsters.) From British sports cars to mile-long American sleds, here are the best vehicles at the Amelia Island auction for soaking up some ultraviolet. ![1928 Bentley 4 ½ -liter Tourer]() *Early Bentleys always look slightly militaristic, and this British Racing Green tourer sitting over black wire wheels is no exception. These 4 ½-liter cars were good for 120 mph in the right tune—perfect for playboys escaping the rightful wrath of their latests paramours., *Drew Shipley ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's** ![1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio]() *Bugatti never really produced a dud, but this Type 57 is particularly splendid. This example was formerly owned by Alexander Ulmann, founder of the illustrious Sebring 12 Hours endurance race., *Darin Schnabel ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's** ![1960 AC Ace-Bristol]() *It might look like a “Cobra,” but this is really just that brute’s British cousin. If you can live without V8 power, the AC might just be the prettiest roadster of its era., *Joshua Rainey ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's** ![1967 Cadillac DeVille Convertible]() *Anyone doubting that incredible girth can cohabitate with grace and beauty need look no farther than a ‘67 DeVille Convertible. White whale? No way., *Bryan Regan ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's** ![1947 Ford Super DeLuxe Sportsman Convertible]() *If you don’t love America after gazing at this ‘47 Woodie, then there is no hope. Canada awaits., *Ryan Merrill ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's** ![1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster]() *Yes, the gullwings are iconic, but this slick silver shark could care less. Oh, Mercedes: How the SL has fallen., *Trace Taylor ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's** ![1962 Kurtis Aguila]() *One of the final cars built by Indy 500 mastermind Frank Kurtis. Monoposto looks, two-seat bench functionality. Bring a friend., *Darin Schnabel ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's** ![2005 Porsche Carrera GT]() *The Carrera GT, an aborted racecar-turned-supercar, has a dangerous reputation. But such beauty is worth the risk, no?, *Robin Adams ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's** ## Author Ben Keeshin is a former staff writer for Maxim, and before that, contributed writing to the digital sides of Road & Track and Vanity Fair. ### Author social links [Twitter]()