OPEN OBSESSION

Spring •
Into Summer

Valentina
is home to
Danskin
Workout
Clothes for the
fuller figure.

Bike Shorts,
Sports Bras and
more for
summer fun.

Sizes IX to 4X

(continued from page 61)

GRILLE

is

Sizzling With Hot
Summer Savings!
50% off

One dinner entree with the
purchase of a second dinner entree
of equal or greater value.

Present this ad Monday thru Friday
during July or August, 1993. Not Valid in
conjunction with any other offer.

ENJOY OUR CONTEMPORARY
FRESH SEAFOOD CUISINE
646-7001

For reservations & catering
280 N. Woodward
Downtown Birmingham

Applegate Square • Southfield • 354-4560

LINGERIE

Complete your
wardrobe from our
extensive selection of
bras, girdles and lingerie.
From 32 to 52 A-H.

Specializing in Personal Fittings.

ONE OF LOU'S MOST

.1,T1' AND SUPPORT

•PROPS • VIDEO GAMES • JUKE BOX
• PIN BALL MACHINES • ETC.
Plus
THE LATEST GAMES AT
THE MOST REASONABLE PRICES

ARE ITS BEST QUALITY.

PERFECT FOR THE

SPRING SEASON!

Mention this
ad and take an
Extra 10% Off
your purchase.

Our Entire Place Is Available
For Your Private Party

265 S. Woodward • Birmingham

642-2555

(Just south of the Birmingham Theatre)
Validated Free Parking

Children, Adults or Business Groups
•
A Great Alternative For Rain Outs!
•
IF YOU CAN'T HAVE YOUR PARTY
AT OUR PLACE

LET US RENT YOU .. .

SOPHISTICATED GROUP.

Hours: 9:30-6 Daily except Thurs. 9:30-8:30, Closed Sunday

WE'VE GOT THE PLACE
FOR YOUR NEXT PARTY

"Where Experienced
Fitters Make The
Difference"

31005 ORCHARD LAKE RD.
Just South of 14 Mile • Look For The Pink
Awning To The South Rear Of F & M

Open 7 Days A Week

626-5020

success soon followed. While the
artificial soft tops continued to sell
in ever-increasing numbers, a
young German immigrant named
Heinz Prechter set up shop sell-
ing a European compromise be-
tween the responsible sedan and
the wind-blown convertible. It was,
of course, the sun roof. Prechter
rented space in the North Holly-
wood shop of legendary custom-
car builder George Barris and
began sawing holes in the steel
roofs of American sedans. The de-
mand for sunroofs grew way be-
yond his ability to cut holes alone;
so he moved his American Sun-
roof Company into a factory in
west L.A. Soon the Big Three
were placing their own orders, and
Prechter was filling them in a new
Detroit factory.
Now that we had our sun-
burned noses back, we Americans
were ready to put the whole top
down again, and Lee Iacocca was
ready for us. He had saved
Chrysler with the dumb K-ca•-
sold millions of the things, even to
people who hated them— and he
was determined to make us love
them. His elixir would be the
Chrysler LeBaron. Powerful, prac-
tical and relatively cheap, the
LeBaron also was available as just
about the prettiest ragtop built in
modern times.
Today's convertible icon is the
incredible Mazda Miata. Intro-
ducing it in 1989 Mazda promised
a true spoits.ca• that, unlike those
beloved old MGs, wouldn't spend
half its life in the maintenance
garwe. The car combines the con-
vertible's new-found civility with
the classic feel and excitement of
the old English roadsters.
Much of the romance of the
convertible has been destroyed by
modern conveniences. No longer
does the decapitated car flop and
twist uncontrollably. No longer -
does the windshield vibrate
enough to render the rearview
min-or useless (except as a third
sun visor). They are safe, even
weatherproof, and their aerody-
namic windshields have virtually
eliminated the blown coif of
courage.
Of course, today's youth enters
the convertible market untainted
by memories of yellowed vinyl
windows, cracked-leather seats
and the hot wind of the highway
in their faces. As for me, although
I consider myself an accom-
plished, creative professional; I
know I'm still emotionally vulner-

62 • SUMMER 1993 • STYLE

f