Convertibles return along with economic confidence

Americans are ready to let their tops down and feel the wind through their hair.

That's the feeling among automakers as they roll out new convertible models at a time when many consumers are gaining confidence in the economy and have more money to spend on less-practical big-ticket items thanks to juicy stock market returns.

At the Detroit auto show later this week, Buick, Alfa Romeo and BMW all plan to show off glitzy open-air models to capitalize on that newfound confidence, and industry analysts expect more to come.