Drop-tops with top-drawer power
The V12 is seen as the pinnacle of engines by many and this configuration has been used in a selection of desirable drop-tops.
From those that put refinement first and foremost to others more concerned with speed and thrills, the V12 can do it all.
The inherent smoothness of the V12 design lends itself to the top tier of cars.
Here’s our selection of many of the most interesting and innovative V12-powered cabriolets, with these classic cars arranged in chronological order.
1. 1930 Daimler Double-Six-50 Sports
Daimler had first introduced its Double-Six 50 in 1926 with the emphasis firmly on luxury-car refinement thanks to its smooth V12 engine.
The Sports of 1930 was offered either as a saloon or a drophead coupé, with keener drivers in mind.
Using the same 7136cc V12 unit that was noted for its flexibility, each bank of six cylinders had its own cooling, carburettor and dual ignition systems.
This sophistication meant the Sports was quick, but it was also thirsty for fuel and oil, and was known for being hard on its starter battery.
It’s thought just three or four Double-Six 50 Sports were produced. Production only lasted between 1930 and 1931.
2. 1930 Maybach DS 8 Zeppelin
Few engines have a more impressive lineage than the V12 found in the Maybach DS 8 Zeppelin.
As the car’s name suggests, the motor was derived from the Graf Zeppelin airship’s and produced more than 200bhp from its 7978cc in automotive form.
Such a large and powerful engine was necessary when the DS 8 model could weigh up to three tons and the engine alone accounts for a third of the weight of cars with heavier coachwork.
Even so, such was the V12’s power that it could see the Maybach hit a top speed of more than 100mph.
To make the most of the engine’s colossal urge, the DS 8 was fitted with Maybach’s Doppelschnellgang gearbox that had eight forward gears and four reverse ratios.
Such engineering brilliance came at a steep price and only 215 examples of the DS 8 Zeppelin were built from 1931 to 1940.
3. 1931 Cadillac Model 370
Cadillac created its V12 by slicing four cylinders off the Owen Nacker-designed V16 engine.
The cylinder bore was increased for the new V12, giving an overall capacity of 6030cc, and this 12-cylinder unit offered very similar performance but better fuel economy than the mighty V16.
First seen in the 370 of 1930, the engine was then used in 1931’s 370A and was available with a variety of bodywork that included roadster, convertible saloon and drop-top coupé styles.
All proved popular with wealthy buyers, and Cadillac produced 5725 of the 370 and 370A.
The 370 range continued through to 1935, when it was replaced by the Series 80 and 85 models in 1936. This duo stuck with the V12, though by now Cadillac was selling far more V8-powered cars.
4. 1932 Auburn 12-160
Auburn was doing well as a company in the early 1930s and joined the V12 brigade with its 12-160.
The numbers denoted its V12 engine and 160bhp output, which put it firmly in the top tier of power units at the time.
The 6390cc V12 was designed by Auburn’s chief engineer George Kublin and used a narrow 45-degree vee and a single camshaft.
Unusually, the combustion chambers were set at an angle to the cylinders and the valves were horizontal in the heads.
Regardless of its unconventional design, the engine made the 12-160 quick, especially with lighter Speedster bodywork rather than the heavier convertible coupé or Phaeton coachwork.
5. 1932 Hispano-Suiza J12
Regarded by many as the ultimate Hispano-Suiza model, the J12 was also known as the T68 and only 76 were produced from 1932 to 1938.
That gives an idea of the cost and exclusivity of the model, which came with a suitably exotic V12 engine.
Where some manufacturers designed their V12s with a nod towards running costs, Hispano went all out with 9424cc and 11,310cc V12 motors for its J12, which could propel the car along at 100mph.
The larger of the two V12s had been developed for use in railcars, but for road use the three-speed gearbox was ill-suited to such a potent engine and many owners subsequently fitted the synchro ’box from a Rolls-Royce.
6. 1932 Lincoln KB
Lincoln’s involvement with the V12 engine is more commonly associated with the later Continental, but the KB arrived in 1932 with a 7345cc, 12-cylinder motor and various open body options.
With 150bhp from the V12 engine, it was up to the task of propelling the hefty Lincoln along at up to 100mph in almost complete silence.
Drivers could even try for better fuel economy by using a freewheel function that was operated by a button on the gearlever.
For 1934, Lincoln introduced a new V12 for the KV12 and this model carried the torch for the company’s large V12 engine all the way through to 1939, despite dwindling sales.
7. 1933 Packard Twelve
More widely known for its straight-eight engines, Packard had a history with making V12s going back as far as 1916 with its first Twin Six model.
This name was used up to 1933, when the company decided to replace it with the Twelve. This was more to bring the V12’s name into line with the rest of Packard’s models, such as the Six and Eight.
In the switch from Twin Six to Twelve, the engine remained mostly unchanged and its 7.3-litre capacity offered an easy-going 160bhp.
This delivered its power through a three-speed manual transmission, though such was the smoothness and torque of the motor that shifts out of top gear were rarely required, unless the car came to a stop.
8. 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III
Rolls-Royce switched from its large-capacity, straight-six engine in the Phantom II to an all-new, 7340cc V12 for the Phantom III.
Despite its smaller capacity, the V12 offered a useful boost in power over its predecessor, and later models got more power again.
The aluminium-alloy V12 helped keep weight down for such a large engine and offset the doubled-up ancillaries, such as twin ignition and distributors, a pair of coils and 24 spark plugs.
A four-speed manual gearbox was aided by synchromesh on the top three gears, helping to make the Phantom III as smooth for its driver as it was for the passengers.
The complexity of the V12 engine did count against the Phantom III in some quarters, but Rolls-Royce built 710 of this model up to the outbreak of war in 1939.
9. 1938 Lagonda V12
Perhaps stung by his experience at Rolls-Royce, WO Bentley arrived at Lagonda determined to produce what he considered the best car in the world.
With backing from company owner Alan Good and other brilliant engineers and designers, the Lagonda V12 was the result and lived up to its maker’s claims.
The Lagonda V12 was first seen in 1936 but didn’t go into production until 1938, which explains why only a modest 189 were ever made.
It used a short-stroke, 60-degree V12 made from a single nickel-iron casting, which Bentley insisted on for its noise-reduction properties.
Within the engine, Bentley was inspired by aviation technology to use light alloy connecting rods to help the engine rev more freely.
A capacity of 4480cc was relatively small for a V12 engine, but the motor developed 180bhp to give the Lagonda a top speed of 110mph.
10. 1940 Lincoln Continental
While Lincoln’s KV12 appealed to those wanting a full-size limousine with its huge 6735cc V12, the new-for-1940 Continental used the same 4378cc V12 as seen in the company’s Zephyr models.
Many Continentals were sold with convertible bodywork, giving it an ideal blend of glamour, performance and refinement. Little wonder the company sold almost 2000 from 1940 to 1942.
In many ways, this 4.4-litre V12 was similar in design to parent company Ford’s flathead V8, though the Lincoln engine has a 75-degree angle between the cylinder banks.
The Continental was also notable for being the first car built by Ford or one of its divisions to come with a column-mounted gearchange.
11. 1951 Ferrari 212
Ferrari has no shortage of V12 engines in its back catalogue and it can all be traced to the 166 that arrived in 1948.
Most 166s were built as racing cars, so it was up to the 212 of 1951 to offer a proper roadgoing model with V12 power and the option of open bodywork.
The Colombo V12 was increased in size for the 212 to 2563cc, and could be ordered from the factory with single or triple carburettors to give 130bhp or 150bhp, respectively.
Several carrozzeria provided open bodywork for 212 customers, with Pinin Farina’s two-seater cabriolet one of the most elegant.
With a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, the Ferrari 212 was capable of 120mph if you opted for a 150bhp model.
12. 1956 Ferrari 250GT
The larger Lampredi V12 engine was used to power Ferrari’s top-flight models, such as the 410 Superamerica, but the 250 continued with the small Colombo V12.
Although still rare and expensive when new, the smaller-capacity V12 cars were more numerous and the engine lasted all the way to the 412 that was launched in 1985.
The 250 range first arrived in 1956 and cabriolet bodywork was a popular option alongside the coupé offerings.
Depending on the tune of the engine, the 250 could reach a top speed of up to 140mph.
This 2953cc unit was used in a variety of open-top 250 models, including the California Spiders, while the later 275GTS was powered by a 3286cc version.
13. 1965 Lamborghini 350GTS
The 350 was the first car from Lamborghini as the company took aim at Ferrari and other supercar manufacturers.
It had initially been dreamt up to use a Bizzarrini-designed 3.5-litre V12 that was a barely disguised, 400bhp, racing engine.
For the road car, however, the motor was redesigned with a more simple, wet-sump lubrication system, reduced compression ratio and the rev limit greatly reduced from the prototype’s 11,000rpm.
Touring supplied the bodies for the 350 and there were 135 GT coupés plus two GTS open-top models, as well as a pair bodied by Zagato.
The GTS had very clean lines thanks to its hood stowing completely out of sight under a panel behind the cockpit.
14. 1968 Ferrari 365GTS/4
The Ferrari 365GTS/4, or Daytona Spider to use its more common name, pitched up in 1969 to join its coupé sibling as Ferrari’s headline model.
Intended as a replacement for the sleek 365 California, the Daytona was a much more taut and sporting car.
It also proved a much better commercial success than its 365 California predecessor that sold a mere 14 cars compared to the Daytona Spider’s 122 units.
The Spider used the same 4390cc V12 as the coupé, delivering 347bhp for a top speed of 174mph, as stated by Ferrari.
That made this V12 roadster the fastest open-top car in the world at its launch.
15. 1971 Jaguar E-type
A decade after its launch, Jaguar reinvigorated its E-type sports car with the introduction of the V12 engine.
At a stroke, the 5.3-litre, 12-cylinder motor gave the E-type the performance to keep pace with the best in the world thanks to a 150mph top speed.
The 272bhp engine was not Jaguar’s first foray into V12s, because the ill-fated XJ13 had used a 5-litre V12.
However, the E-type’s unit was a simpler design from Walter Hassan and Harry Mundy that ensured plenty of power, refinement and ongoing strong sales in the important US market.
Total Jaguar E-type V12 production ran to 7990 roadsters and 7297 coupés, so the open-top car proved the bigger seller.
To accommodate the V12, there was a much larger front air intake, while flared wheelarches allowed for a wider track at both ends.
16. 1974 Panther De Ville
The inspiration for the Panther De Ville was clearly the Bugatti Royale, so this car demanded a suitably upscale engine to complete the image.
Panther offered the De Ville with Jaguar’s six-cylinder XK engine or customers could tick the box for the 5.3-litre V12 from the same source.
It’s thought only 11 convertible De Villes were produced and it’s not certain how many came with the V12 engine.
However, this combination would have made it the most expensive De Ville, and Panther also offered plenty of upgrades and options to personalise the car at further cost.
Although quite large, the De Ville handled and drove far better than its styling and size suggested, thanks to the Jaguar mechanical parts used for its construction.
17. 1974 Panther FF
Another retro car from Panther in the 1970s, but the FF eschewed the Jaguar V12 as a power option. Instead, this retro take on a Ferrari 125 used the V12 motor from a Ferrari 330GTC.
The FF’s name came from Willi Felber, a Swiss company boss that commissioned this pastiche of a Ferrari 125 from Panther.
It was sold through Felber in Switzerland, which goes some way to explaining the low production run of just 12 cars.
When it was introduced, Felber claimed the 4-litre V12 engine produced 400bhp, but that was deemed optimistic at the time.
18. 1974 Panther J72
The Panther J72 was somewhere between a pastiche and replica of the Jaguar SS100, but there was nothing old hat about its mechanical base.
Robert Jankel’s firm used Jaguar running gear, including the engine, so buyers had the choice of the XJ straight-six or, better still, the 5.3-litre V12.
The V12 version didn’t arrive until 1974, two years after the J72 was first launched, and the model remained in production up until 1981.
It’s not clear how many V12 models were built and overall production numbers for the J72 vary, with 376 thought to be the closest to reality.
For those few J72 customers who chose the V12, they enjoyed a 10mph boost in top speed to 125mph over the six-cylinder model, though none were especially quick thanks to the car’s barn-door aerodynamics.
19. 1985 Jaguar XJ-S 5.3 Cabriolet
It seems strange that it took Jaguar so long to create a convertible version of the XJ-S, and when it did it was a targa-style design rather than being fully open.
The first XJ-S Cabriolet came with the new AJ6 3.6-litre straight-six, the V12 model only arriving two years afterwards.
The XJ-S 5.3 Cabriolet was an undoubtedly elegant machine, though the conversion to a drop-top meant the back seats were sacrificed for added luggage space.
A thickly padded rear hood and the lift-out roof panels made it a good bet for year-round use.
The model was dropped in 1987 and a new XJ-S 5.3 Convertible arrived in 1988 with a fully retractable soft-top that gave a more elegant profile.
20. 1992 Mercedes-Benz 600SL
The Mercedes-Benz 600SL, or SL600 as it became from 1993, was the ultimate open-top model from the German firm.
It combined the high-tech R129 roadster body with the company’s 6-litre V12 known as the M120 within Mercedes.
The 24-valve motor generated 389bhp and its all-aluminium construction meant the V12 model weighed much the same as the 500SL with its V8 motor.
Top speed was limited to 155mph, while 0-62mph came up in 6.1 secs, making it the fastest of the standard factory-built SL cars of this generation.
Like all R129 SLs, the 600 came with a removable hardtop and an electrically operated soft-top, while a four-speed automatic gearbox was standard for the V12 version.
21. 1995 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster
Lamborghini had teased the world with an open-top version of the Diablo at the 1992 Geneva motor show.
This model with its cut-down windscreen was never offered by the factory, but several replicas were built by German firm Koenig.
When Lamborghini did eventually produce a Diablo Roadster, it was based on the four-wheel-drive VT model that had arrived in 1993.
The Roadster took until 1995 to appear on the price list and used the same 485bhp 5.7-litre V12.
The Roadster featured a carbonfibre roof panel that was manually removed and then stored on dedicated fixings over the engine lid.
Lamborghini had to alter the Roadster’s engine cover to ensure proper cooling for the V12.
22. 1999 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante
Some dismiss the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante’s V12 engine wrongly as a pair of Ford V6s joined together, yet this was a great engine developed by Cosworth.
The 5.9-litre V12 gave the DB7 the performance to match its looks thanks to 420bhp, offering 0-62mph in less than 5 secs and 165mph flat out in convertible form – the coupé was good for 185mph.
The Volante had first been seen in 1996 with the supercharged 3.2-litre engine, two years after the coupé, but Aston introduced the Vantage models together at the 1999 Geneva motor show.
The soft-top used a folding fabric roof and was operated electrically.
23. 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG
It might seem odd to include the Mercedes-Benz R129 twice, but the SL73 AMG was a completely re-engineered car.
It turned Mercedes’ relaxed V12 roadster into a true supercar thanks to the AMG’s reworked engine that delivered 518bhp.
With that sort of firepower, the SL73 AMG dashed off 0-62mph in 4.8 secs but, just as remarkably, the car could function just as ably as the 600SL/SL600 as an everyday, luxury roadster.
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