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Like many people during this period of lockdown and self-isolation, I've been reminiscing about fonder times.
Thankfully (some may disagree), many of our memories are in the form of posts on various social media platforms, which makes them easier to remember, I guess.
One that stands out from years ago is when I had the Volkswagen Golf MkVI GTI cabriolet to test. Splashed in Tornado Red and wearing lovely 18-inch 'Detroit' wheels it looks the part but stands out with a black cloth roof.
This car caused a fuss wherever I drove it, with even the most ardent boy racers tipping their proverbial hats when we were stationary at a robot.
The MkVI GTI cabriolet, the only drop-top to wear the coveted badge in South Africa, uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that developed 155kW and 280Nm sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
It could reach 100km/h from standstill in under seven seconds and run out of puff at 238km/h.
The sixth-generation Golf was voted the 2009 World Car of the Year, so it comes off a great base.
By removing the roof off a car, it loses it most of structural rigidity. It weighs 140kg more than the hatch, that's 933 Guadeloupean bananas.
The GTI impressed by not having much scuttle shake, which convertibles are usually dogged by and played both roles of being a cruiser and rewarding when driven with gusto.
What I enjoyed about the soft-top GTI was how it embodied youthfulness, how it took just 10 seconds to drop the electric roof, and smiles would appear from people young and old.
Inside, it wasn't anything to write home about, just a well-put-together cabin with powerful seat warmers to keep your buns toasty if you felt like venturing out for a drive with the top down in winter.
The GTI isn't showy or loud, or about how it goes about things but since the MkV it has been on brand with balancing the act of offering top class and performance in an irresistible package.
Sharing this experience about the time has made me realise how the joy of cars connects people, and breaks down barriers.
Let's continue to do that once we're able to share our passion for cars again.
