ONE of my best remembered cars from the 1960s is the later version of the Triumph Herald convertible.
Known as the 13/60 this model was much more refined and powerful than the original Herald of 1959 and embodied a little of the styling of its more powerful brother, the Vitesse.
The Herald range as a whole was immensely popular in its day but it was the later version of the ragtop that captured the imagination of many drivers.
It was almost like having a little slice of Hollywood on your drive because although small in size this four-seater was big on glamour.
I always thought the Herald suited the tweed trilby type to a tee, but not the convertible. Women drivers and young men loved it. It was a bit like having a Triumph Spitfire with two extra seats.
It looked so good because the manufacturer carefully evolved the Giovanni Michelotti styling to make a firm step towards the 1970s - although the Herald concept was becoming very dated by then.
Mainstay of the Herald 13/60 was its unusual construction. The main body tub was bolted to a separate chassis and the whole front end hinged forward to allow access to the engine. Amazingly every panel could be unbolted from the car.
The original four-cylinder 948cc engine soon became 1,296c which gave the 13/60 quite a punch with 70bhp on tap providing a top speed of 86mph.
The Herald soon became famous for its amazingly tight turning circle - 25 feet - which made it very easy to park.
Its suspension system was coil and double-wishbone at the front, while at the rear was independent springing via a single transverse leaf-spring bolted to the top of the final drive unit and swing axles.
The rear suspension was sometimes criticised as yielding poor handling at the extremes of performance though the model was considered easy to drive with its good vision, light steering and controls and ease of repair.
When the 13/60 stepped in it featured a classy bonnet similar to the Vitesse and the interior was substantially revised but still featuring a wooden dashboard. Interior space was improved by recessing a rear armrest in each side panel.
Although the 13/60 Convertible could not be described as a 60s 'wild child' it was a charmer.
Put the roof down and head for the coast on a sunny day and you had all the joys of classic driving at your fingertips.