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American Morning

Going Topless at New York Auto Show

Aired April 02, 2002 - 08:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: You know, in the spring, they say a young man's fancy turns to love. But in my case, it turns to automobiles, convertibles to be exact. There are plenty of them on display at the New York Auto Show.

CNN's Jeanne Moos takes us on a topless tour of the cars.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We tend to convert to convertibles at a tender age in the U.S. They may account for only 2 percent of vehicle sales, but what are sales compared to fantasies?

For instance, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly having a picnic in one.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GRACE KELLY, ACTRESS: You want a leg or a breast?

CARY GRANT, ACTOR: You make the choice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MOOS: Or Thelma and Louise deciding to drive to their deaths rather than surrender.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who doesn't like convertibles?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's nothing not to like.

MOOS: At the New York Auto Show, folks gather in awe around convertible, watching, mesmerized, as the tops go up and down, from the Toyota Spider...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A good convertible top is one-handed.

MOOS: To the BMW M3.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I liked how the hood opened up there, that was wonderful.

MOOS: To the Mercedes that calls itself the contortionist for its advanced retractable technology. Take it from Alan Taylor of "Motor Trend." ALAN TAYLOR, "MOTOR TREND": It is absolutely mechanical ballet.

MOOS: All it took was one ride in his cousin's Lexus convertible to win over Corey.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The wind goes in your hair...

MOOS (on camera): I don't even think your hair would move at 65 miles an hour.

(voice-over): If you'd like to pick up the latest in convertibles...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a retractable, hard top pickup truck.

MOOS: The Chevrolet Supersport Roadster has that retro look from the '40s. It's due out next year for under $40,000.

Not only do carmakers brag about how fast they go...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It goes 0 to 60 in about five seconds, 333 horsepower.

MOOS (on camera): But how many seconds does the top take?

(voice-over): Mercedes advertisers its top goes up at the touch of a button in only 16 seconds. We put it to the test.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 16.8.

MOOS (on camera): Not bad.

The Chevy Pickup took the longest.

(on camera): 35 seconds.

MOOS (voice-over): And the winner -- the Mazda Miata.

(on camera): it's like three seconds.

(voice-over): All of the convertibles did better than the retractable roof on Seiko Stadium. It takes at least ten minutes.

Some day you'll be able to tell your top what to do.

(on camera): Open roof.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Opening roof.

MOOS: This is the Buick's concept car with sliding, hiding panels. Whatever you do, do not attempt to put your top up while cruising at 65.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's why you got car insurance.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York. (END VIDEOTAPE)

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