The book, The Great American Convertible (An Affectionate Guide), represents a narrative and photographic record of the convertible's history from the first open air 1913 Ford Model T to the Cadillac Bicentennial El Dorado built in 1976.  This book is filled with practical advice about how to locate, buy and maintain a secondhand convertible, including a checklist of key questions to ask before money changes hands.  There is also a short preview of "future" convertibles with innovations such as "lift-offs" and "sun roofs".  Noticeably absent from this book section is any mention of future convertibles because the Federal safety provisions were such in 1977 that this possibility did not appear to be very likely.  The book, The Great American Convertible (An Affectionate Guide) includes the following major sections: 1) Part I - In The Beginning...; 2) Part II - A Colorful catalogue of 16 Selected Ragtops; 3) Part III -  You Are What You Drive; 4) Part IV - The Driver As Dormouse; 5) Appendix I - Getting Serious About Investment; 6) Appendix II - A Sample Ragtop Resurrection; 7) Appendix III - How Much Gold Is Left In Them Thar Hills? and 8) Appendix IV - Where The Toys Are.  In addition to an informative narrative this book includes the following features: 1) Approximately 60 black and white photographs; 2) About 48 color photographs and ; 3) Approximately 89 black and white illustrations.  This book is 142 pages and is in excellent condition.  The authors are Robert Wieder and George Hall.  Edition published in 1977.