MythBusters Convertible Car in Rain

[racegirl]

Did anyone watch MythBusters yesterday? Go check it out if you haven't. It's not a Boxster, but a 911 Cabriolet. Neverthless, it was fun!

The myth is: if one drives a convertible with top down fast enough, he won't get wet. Don't read below if you want to watch the show without spoiler.

[*** spoiler spoiler spoiler spoiler spoiler spoiler ***]
To test the myth, they loaned a 911 Cabriolet and found a "driving expert" who trained emergency personnel how to drive to train the show crews. They first played around in a wet parking lot telling people how dangerous hydroplaning is (though it looked like fun to me ) The real test was conducted in Alameda (the autocross site?) if I heard it right.

If one stopped the car to pull up the top, he got soapy wet. Starting from 25mph, the amount of rain fell into the cabin reduced. At 90mph, the cabin was all dry!!! They also did a big spin at 120mph, wohoo~

The slow motion video showing the water being diverted around the cabin without dropping to the passenger was cool to see.
[*** spoiler spoiler spoiler spoiler spoiler spoiler ***]

For those who are physics minded, this is Bernoulli's principle in play.

[The Voxster]

Originally Posted by racegirl

The myth is: if one drives a convertible with top down fast enough, he won't get wet. Don't read below if you want to watch the show without spoiler.

If they'd have just asked, we coulda saved them the cost of doing a show.

[Jeanne T]

Me too. I'm celebrating my year anniversary with the 2003 Boxster S on Saturday. Drove home from the bay area up I-5 in a rainstorm with the windshield wipers on and the top down. It was dry. In my old 356 B I had a spell when the windshield wipers didn't work, and if you went fast enough the windshield stayed clear, with the drops washing upwards. I spent today doing the clay bar thing and making it clean, and I plan on having fun getting it dirty. 75,000+ miles.

[ChrisZang]

Greetings from Thunderhill (Willows)

On my way to Willows I was just treated to something you don't see too often:
* A Thunderstorm
* In California
* In the Summer

Well I figured let's give it a try
I was going steady 75 mph (yes I know in the Mythbusters episode they were going 90). After 30 seconds I had to pull over and put the top up
In all fairness I have to admit that I was in the middle of a storm and the rain came from all directions

I hope it won't rain tomorrow & Sunday

Greetings
Chris

[mikefocke]

Always worked for me until I came to a stoplight. As long as it was light rain. Often I'd just keep running till I came to a bridge under which I could put up the top.

In some of my older '60s roadsters that had tonneau covers, I used to delight in running around with the top down when it was snowing...heat wafting up around me as the passenger portion of the cabin was covered.

[70Sixter]

Coming from San Diego to NC in 88 I found that stopping to put the top on was not necessary. I figured (in Southern Utah) I'd just drive until I HAD to put the top on. Ran into sunshine before I had to put it on.

Doing a bit north of the posted limit seemed to help even more.

And according to Brenoulli the low pressure are in the cabin should suck the beer out of your bottle. No I'd never try that. Really.

[River Rat]

Originally Posted by 70Sixter

And according to Brenoulli the low pressure are in the cabin should suck the beer out of your bottle.

Not possible. I'd have already consumed the entire contents.



More please!

[anjumufa3]

I used to delight in running around with the top down when it was snowing...heat wafting up around me as the passenger portion of the cabin was covered.
dry rot

[jivannuno255]

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David