“So, how about it? Can I borrow the keys?”

My 19-year-old son and I looked at each other.

It was an issue of trust between a father and son. And the questions started swirling.

Would he hurt it? Would he keep it clean? Would he try to show off in front of his friends? Would he do something stupid?

Matt needed my old van for the day to haul some equipment. And I saw opportunity.

“I promise to put gas in it,” I said.

He reluctantly handed me the keys to his white ’91 Toyota Celica convertible. I tried to hide my smile.

Open road, open top

I still get a tingle up my spine when I remember my first car in high school a ’67 Chevelle.

As children came along and practicality followed, my convertible was replaced by a station wagon and later the van.

But deep down, I’m still a starry-eyed kid when it comes to convertibles.

So I was pleased to see that open-air motoring seems to be making a comeback. And the technology contained in the new open-top vehicles drew my interest.

Two types

“Most of the automobile manufacturers are trying to set a trend or respond to the wants of the consumer,” said Cherie Sage, a spokeswoman for AAA of Kansas.

“Americans have a particular affectation for getting behind the wheel,” Sage said. “I think that the convertible lends itself to that feeling of freedom the wind through your hair and getting out on the open road.”

There are two types of convertibles: soft tops and retractable hard tops.

With a soft top, you generally have to unlatch the roof and then lower it yourself or press a button to activate a series of motors and links that lift the roof and fold it into a rear compartment.

An example of an automatic hard top is the Lexus SC430 (www.lexus.com/showroom/model/sc.html), which does everything at the touch of a button it unlatches the roof, rolls the window down and opens the trunk for top storage.

Practicalities

An ice storm, a 105-degree day or a spring hailstorm can wreak havoc on a convertible’s soft top. Today’s manufacturers are making it a little easier to drive a convertible in a four-season climate.

Chrysler seems to have figured out those challenges with its Sebring (www.chrysler.com/sebring_convertible/ ).

It has a good headliner to provide better protection from the elements. The automated top goes up in seven seconds. And you can roll all the windows down at the same time.

One of the biggest drawbacks of my old convertible was its plastic rear window, which eventually began yellowing. And during the first winter I had it, my sister accidentally poked a hole through it when she tried to remove the ice.

A few years later, manufacturers began using real glass. And new models, including the Sebring, feature glass and rear window defrosters so you don’t have to worry about what your helpful little sister might do with an ice scraper.

Hot-rod look

If you’re looking for something retro, check out the Chevy SSR at www.chevrolet.com/ssr/index.htm.

Currently a concept car, it’s supposed to go into production on a limited basis later this year and be available in 2003.

The SSR’s lines seem to make it part ’50s pickup, part ’60s roadster. But what sets it off is the tricked-out hardtop roof. At the flip of a switch, it breaks into two pieces and disappears into a compartment behind the two front seats.

Chevrolet is also dipping into the nostalgia well with its other convertible concept car, the Bel Air a tribute to the Bel Airs of 1955-1957. There are no specific plans for when it will roll into production, but you can see it at www.chevrolet.com/belair/index_press.htm.

Another retro item in the works is a new open-top look for Chrysler’s PT Cruiser (www.chrysler.com/pt_cruiser/fanatics/convertible.html), which comes with a power top.

Wind in your hair

After Matt gave me the keys to his convertible, one of my jobs that Saturday afternoon was to drive my two daughters and their friends to the movies.

“Wow. A convertible!” I heard someone say as we pulled up to get one of my daughter’s friends.

I was a little embarrassed when her dad came out to check out the ride.

“I’m just borrowing it. It’s my son’s,” I told him, not wanting to seem too impractical.

The girls who piled into the back quickly learned that a wind vortex is created just behind the front seat. I saw hair flying everywhere when I looked in the rear view mirror.

Some manufacturers have fixed that in newer models by putting in a wind screen.

After I drove the girls, I cruised through the Sonic Drive-In. I also drove out by the lake and through downtown, reliving some old memories.

And in the evening, I drove around with the girls some more.

That was last fall. And spring is here.

I’m hoping my son needs to borrow my van again.