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economist suntribune thursday sept 5 2002 21 for some women a convertible is a lifeboat rhonda wheeler by rhonda wheeler wheelbase communications dana jackson used to live a sheltered life private edu cation sunday school pleated uniforms curfews the whole shebang she wasnt one of those carefree girls who would take a dare a bet or just any old type or risk she was for lack of a better word practical at 37 that all changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer i looked back at my life and saw that i hadnt lived it to its fullest she says that was my wakeup call to start living so she cashed in a few savings bonds and bought the car of her dreams a soft- pink 1957 chevy belair convertible another love affair with the rag- top begins it wasnt a practical choice she admits considering the alltoobrief topdown cruising season in her area but this is a woman who was all done with being practical i used to focus on the end result i thought about tomorrow but when i was diagnosed i was forced to start living in the moment because i didnt know if there would be a tomorrow i do what makes me happy now that usually means cruising downtown in her con vertible and she doesnt give a hoot about how rustled shell look after putting the pedal to the metal in her clas sic it helps that her hairs the length of freshly cut grass when im driving with the top down and i can feel the sun on my face and the wind in my hair oh now thats the life thats living sometimes im so happy i sing at the top of my lungs i dont care whos looking brian mulroney no not that brian mulroney on the other hand is in it for the ogle factor as the kids are saying these days hes well pre served and he knows it the tanned trim toned and recently divorced he asked me to throw that in for him mulroney a soon-to-be- retired investment broker spends much of his spare time tooling around town in his 2001 mustang convertible top down music up muscle shirt on heads turn sure i drive this car because i want to be seen he says i like to be looked at no surprise there not for a guy whose vanity plates read htstuf and who repeatedly runs his hands through a thick head of silvering hair that kinda matches the colour of his car is silver fox a new shade true he did buy the convertible largely for its image but once you get past his cheesy pickup lines and goofy mustached grin you find a guy who has worked hard all his life built a career and a home for his family and now wants to enjoy himself for nearly 35 years i worked in one high rise after another windows or not you still feel like a caged ani mal the stang allows him to run wild inon his horse sort of like a knight in shining armour minus a big sword and with much less chafing i would imagine jackson and mulroney couldnt be more different hes mature beefy dark and about to start a new life shes young skinny pale and uncertain about hers but they have at least one thing in common theyre both looking for an escape longing for the freedom that only a ragtop can offer that im guessing is the real appeal of the convert ible it is about being free from whatever you feel tied down to says jackson whos about to head into her sec- ond round of chemotherapy when im in my car thats what i feel free im not worrying about being sick or any thing all im thinking about is driving about living in the moment rhonda wheeler is a journalist with wheelbase communications a worldwide supplier of automotive news features and reviews you can email her at rhon- dawheelbasecomcom this message brought to you as a community service of the economist suntribune lease rates are those offered by mini rnancial services only on approved credit msrp for a 2002 mini cooper is 2495000 at a lease rate of 775 over 36 months is 29900 per month a down payment of 5341 000 is required as well as first months lease payment security deposit of approximately one months lease payment transport and preparation 129500 and all taxes upon signing options are available at an extra cost together with tax license registration and insurance annual kilometres limited to 20000 01 5 per excess kilometre delivery must be taken by september 30 2002 mini cooper above shown with 16 wheels included in the optional sport package available for an additional 30 per month please see dealer for complete details 2002 mini canada a division of bmw canada inc mini and the mini logo are trademarks of bmw ag used under licence by bmw canada inc mini markham a division of towncountry bmw 8111 kennedy road at hwy 407 kennedy 905 5138900 visit our web site at wwwminimarkhamcom hwy7 minima 407 rkharr p 0 c steeles 0 0 c- c