Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster Earns Top Award At Miami Convertible Competition

The Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster earned the top award at the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA) at the annual Topless in Miami Presented by Haartz Corporation Convertible Event. The event brought together dozens of the world's best convertible vehicles. After the SAMA membership had cast their votes, it was the Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster that was judged to be the best convertible overall. The Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster was also recognized as the winner in the Luxury Class.

“Over 40 members spent the day behind the wheel of 19 vehicles to determine the best of the best convertibles on the market today,” SAMA President Paul Borden said. “Vehicles were scored on their overall styling, performance, and top and general appeal to the South Florida community.”

Torque News was honored to be invited as a guest judge at the event which was held at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne Resort. The choice for the best overall convertible was extremely difficult. In the end, it was the 2019 Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge, and the Maserati GranTurismo MC that offered the most challenge to the Mercedes-AMG. Rolls-Royce brought its entire Miami Collection of vehicles to the event, providing members with seven total vehicles for evaluation.

The event sponsor, Haartz Corporation, is the supplier of the tops for every convertible entered in the competition. Every top is produced in its Acton, Massachusetts manufacturing center. “The 2019 Topless in Miami was another great display of the variety of open-air models in the industry,” said Doug Haartz, international sales manager at the Haartz Corporation. “The array of materials topping these vehicles is a true showcase of our product offering. This is a great event year after year that we are proud to support.”

As a New Englander visiting Miami as a guest judge, what struck the author as most surprising was the attention to Miami that each manufacturer gives the city. Miami is a top-three global market for Rolls-Royce along with Shanghai and Los Angeles. MINI, Rolls-Royce, and other manufacturers at the event offer Miami-specific trims that cater to the exclusive and unique South Florida convertible market.

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