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Even an imbecile could see the advantage of being able to wind up a tin helmet instead of a fabric hoodie when conditions take a turn for the worse.
Mercedes was first to wow the world with a folding metal roof more than ten years ago, but Peugeot's 206CC, at less than half the price of Stuttgart's finest, was more impressive.
sun-searching Brits to chase down those rays while slipping under company lists banning canvas-clad liabilities.
Of course, the reality wasn't quite as rosy. There were glitches that could render roof mechanics frustratingly immobile, and it wasn't uncommon to see early cars desperately seeking out their nearest Peugeot dealer instead of the sun.
The cars also suffered from the odd groan and questionable structural rigidity, and shrugged its wheelarches if you dared squeeze two into the '+2' seating.
Almost seven years on and the world now seems full of folding hardtops, such has been the Pug's influence. But can the new CC address its predecessor's failings and teach the class a new trick or two?
Based upon the recent 207, things start promisingly. A sharply raked screen differentiates it from the humble hatch, while there's less of a pronounced bulge at the rear than before.
Inside it's typical 207, which is no bad thing. Everything is clear, easier to find and well built. Better still, it refused to rattle despite feeling stiffly sprung. The cars we also drove mostly resisted the dreaded shake and flex movement that haunts many a convertible hatch, although those thick pillars hinder visibility a little.
We drove the top-of-the-range GT models with larger 17-inch wheels that happily avoid crashing over bumps and treat the driver to a taut drive with only mild body roll.
On fast roads there was a little extra wind noise emanating over the shoulder and from the large wing mirrors, but overall both would be fine for even long distance cruising.
Despite being no firecracker, the 1.6 110PS diesel is a smooth flexible engine and rarely feels a chore, and while the 150PS petrol 1.6 (there's also a 1.4 90PS and 120PS 1.6) might not propel the 207CC at supercar speeds, it feels even more suited to the task of hauling something approaching quite a heavy little car.
Both engines have five-speed gearboxes.
Safety kit is good with five airbags, and there's plenty of strengthening to lessen the effects of chopping off the roof. And for the first time there are also a pair of chromium roll hoops that aid rollover comfort should the worst ever happen.
Does the 207CC right the wrongs of the 206? Almost. It's quieter, better to drive and better to look at, but sadly the rear seats remain a poor joke and boot space is still halved at the drop of the top.
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