MAD dogs and Englishmen may go out in the midday sun, but to be really barking, try top-down motoring at night - in winter.

Since taking on the Astra Coupe Convertible, a series of late nights at Fleet Towers working on various studied pieces of prose have meant there is little chance for me to try out the benefits of wind-in-hair transport during the day. Undeterred, I put the car through its paces under the moonlight as the temperature plummeted to just below brass monkey territory.

With the heated seats and heater on full, it was an experience I actually rather enjoyed, in a 'world of David Icke' sort of way.

However, the roof has been reluctant to open recently, I suspect simply through lack of use, and one of the front foglights has come loose, which will entail a visit to our local dealership. I will provide a full update in the next full test.