Beautiful story! I got bitten by the convertible bug nearly 2 decades ago. The car has slowly evolved from an anemic Slant six, to a strong Doug Dutra built Slant six, to a junkyard Magnum swap, to a Hughes Engines 408 and now to a supercharged 408.
I find solace in seeing other folks afflicted with the same bug. Vive la difference!!
I was afflicted with the convertible bug FOUR decades ago with the purchase of the '68 GTS. Still have it along with the '67 Barracuda. One of these days both cars will be finished again. Side by side a few years ago.