Blowin' in the Wind

Italian exotic car builder Pagani's stunning new Huayra Roadster is named after the Andean god of wind - a fitting name for the latest in high-performance, open-topped sports cars

For car lovers, there's always been something special about hitting the highway in a two-seater, drop-head sports car, the wind blowing in your hair as the roar of the engine fills your ears. Of course, the very first cars were all open - it was only later, as the industry developed, that having a convertible became a lifestyle choice.

The golden age of the roadster began after the World War II, when mass production brought the open-topped sports car experience into the price range of the normal working person. The American roadsters were distinctive with their sweeping curves, lavish use of chrome and massive engines, while in Europe, there were the elegant designs of Ferrari, Jaguar and Porsche. In fact, screen icon James Dean's life ended in 1955 at age 24 behind the wheel of a Porsche 550 Spyder, not an American muscle car, as he became an eternal symbol of rebellious youth.