When I started school in the early 70's my thoughts were to buy an LS6 Corvette when I graduated, and of course a ragtop.
Fast forward to 1976 and my choice of convertibles were a VW Bug, Cadillac El Dorado, MGB (didn't fit in it), Jensen Interceptor, 450SL, Rolls Corniche, Alfa Romeo, Triumph Spitfire, and a Fiat 124. Everything was underpowered! Based on a Car & Driver article, I bought the Fiat from a dealer that was a friend of my Dads. I still have the car and over the years got it up to 110HP, which for a 2,000 pound car isn't bad and it drives like it's on rails, so not so much straight line performance, but built for the twisties.
Hindsight says I should have bought the 5 years old 454, but that's life.