How Many of These Are Left?

A couple of weeks ago, on one of those rare sunny afternoons, I found myself driving through the Surrey countryside, roof down, enjoying the open air in my convertible.

As luck would have it, I passed a local classic car show. So I pulled over, grabbed a coffee, and wandered around to see what the locals had brought along. There were some real gems on display — a mix of unusual models, beautifully presented classics, and a few real rarities that made me stop and think: “How many of these are still around today?”

The Austin Atlantic Convertible - The Forgotten British Flair

One of the standouts was an Austin Atlantic convertible. Not in pristine condition, but clearly someone’s restoration project. It was finished in a delightfully period brown — darker brown interior and a black soft top. It had a kind of charm that only cars of that era could pull off.

This particular model was produced between 1949 and 1952, but I struggled to find any firm figures on how many convertibles were made — especially those still surviving. Back then, it would’ve been quite the stylish choice. Now? It’s borderline mythical. I wouldn’t be surprised if only a handful remain.

The Borgward Isabella Convertible - Germany's Hidden Gem

Even rarer on UK roads was a Borgward Isabella Convertible — and this one was in absolutely stunning condition. The owner clearly cared for it, right down to the enthusiast badges on the grille.

Borgward was a relatively small German manufacturer that built cars between 1954 and 1962, with the Isabella being one of their more elegant offerings. Around 202,000 were made in total, across all versions, but who knows how many of the convertibles — especially in right-hand drive made it over to the UK? Very few, I imagine.

I even came across a note that a British racing driver tuned and raced one in the '50s. Again, it begs the question — how many of these beautiful things are still on our roads?

The DeLorean DMC-12 - Belfast's Time Traveller

Of course, no conversation about rare classics would be complete without the DeLorean DMC-12 — that unmistakable stainless steel wedge with gullwing doors. The car itself wasn’t exactly a performance legend, but thanks to Back to the Future, it became an icon of pop culture.

What many don’t realise is that the car was built in Northern Ireland, not the US, and used a mishmash of parts from various manufacturers. Production only ran from 1981 to 1982, and just under 9,000 units were made before the company went under.

The irony? The DeLorean gained cult status after it stopped being built. It’s remembered more for its role on the silver screen than its road manners — which, by all accounts, weren’t anything to write home about. Still, those doors and the unpainted stainless steel body made it unlike anything else on the road.

Most were sold in the US, and I haven’t been able to find definitive info on how many were made in right-hand drive. But again — how many are even left in the UK?

The Citroën DS Chapron Convertible – French Elegance, Rare as They Come

Back in 1955, Citroën launched the iconic DS — a car that redefined what was possible in automotive design at the time. With its futuristic styling, hydropneumatic suspension, and cutting-edge mechanical and electrical systems, it didn’t just turn heads — it blew minds. The DS wasn’t just a car; it was a statement of innovation and elegance, and it quickly won the admiration of motoring enthusiasts around the world.

But Citroën didn’t stop there.

To create something truly special, they teamed up with renowned coachbuilder Henri Chapron, who reimagined the DS as a luxurious convertible (or Cabriolet). These bespoke versions featured a lowered windscreen, a redesigned rear end, and elegant new body lines that flowed beautifully across the car’s silhouette. Each one was hand-built, crafted with immense attention to detail, and offered exclusively to a small circle of high-end clients.

Production numbers? Tiny. Only around 40 examples were ever made — and virtually none in right-hand drive. Very few ever made it to the UK, and those that did have become the stuff of legend.

If you happen to find one for sale today, expect to pay well into six figures — the only listing I could find had an asking price of €150,000. But in fairness, that’s the price of automotive art. The detailing, the craftsmanship, the presence of the thing, it’s a rolling sculpture.

And so, yet again, we come back to that same lingering question - How many of these are actually left?

Walking around that car show made me realise just how special - and fragile - our motoring history is. Cars that once turned heads and sparked imaginations are now fading into the background, quietly slipping away unless someone steps in to preserve them.

Some of them will live on as restored showpieces, others as parts donors. But for each one still out there, you can’t help but wonder… How many of these are actually left?