THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, May 5, 1995                    TAG: 9505050635
SECTION: AUTO WEEKLY              PAGE: H1   EDITION: FINAL 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   33 lines

CONVERTIBLES: `ESCAPE' VEHICLES A RAGTOP IS MORE THAN JUST TRANSPORTATION, OWNERS ALIKE.

[This story is not available electronically. For complete text, please see microfilm.] ILLUSTRATION: Color photos

D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/Staff

James Flood and Dr. Jill Taylor Flood love convertibles. James likes

to feel one with the road and nature while he drives. Jill says a

10- or 15-minute ride along the interstate with the top down is the

only moment when she feels free in a busy day.

ERIC THINSTAD

Cindy Morris enjoys her first convertible, a Toyota Celica GT. ``I

put the top down, turn up the radio and I feel great,'' she says.

GARY C. KNAPP

Esther Corpus says riding with the top down on her BMW 325i is a

luxury she saves for weekends. ``I like the outdoors and I just feel

so free when I ride in a convertible.''

by CNB