About Us
Our mission is to have fun and safely enjoy our open-air vehicles on scenic highways and byways, while enjoying the friendship and camaraderie of others who appreciate the joys of driving, travel, and good people.
The OpenAir Classic is an annual four-day, fun-focused, convertible tour open to any convertible of any make of vintage [view our definition here]. Tour routes explore spectacular scenic byways and back roads that make open-air, tops-down cruising in a convertible such a pleasure. The tour is intentionally limited to 200 cars with a driver and navigator. No prior rally experience is required as routes are “at your own pace” with clear and easy-to-follow, turn-by-turn instructions. If you love open-air driving, this convertible tour was made for you!
OpenAir Tours was officially launched in January of 2006. After 13 successful years organizing tours for the Wisconsin Convertible Classic (WCC), organizers Gary and Mae Knowles of Madison, and fellow enthusiasts Mike and Donna Peroutka of Green Bay, joined forces to keep the spirit of topless touring alive. At the end of 2021, Mike and Donna retired to have more time for personal travel and family.
Alex Knowles, who experienced the first convertible tour from his car seat, is now an official organizer in 2022. Both he and his fiancé, Samantha Wagner, are now assisting with planning and staffing the tour. Previous participants Mary Beth and Felix Savino also will assist as volunteers with tour operations.
Together, the team selects destinations and hotels, sets routes, directs the tours and oversees promotions and operations. We’ll all be working on the tour to ensure that you have a great time!
The Unsung Heroes
(there are many!)
There have been many behind-the-scenes heroes over the years helping to keep us safely on the road. Volunteers, family friends, local officials, law enforcement officers, business owners, good Samaritans, and fellow enthusiasts have made success a key component of our tours.
With their help, continued encouragement, and support we strive to make your convertible tour adventures memorable! Thank you to each and every volunteer, past, present and future! You help keep the wheels turning!
Meet the organizers
Gary and Mae Knowles
Gary is responsible for making the best weekend in August a Wisconsin tradition. He was the co-founder and co-director of the Wisconsin Convertible Classic and the Wisconsin Sports Car and GT Classic. A life-long auto enthusiast and former rally driver, he has traveled nearly every red and blue highway in the state and region.
He served as Director of Communication for the Wisconsin Tourism Division for fourteen years, leading tours for journalists and VIPS into every nook and cranny of the state. He edited the award-winning Wisconsin Auto Tours Adventures Guide, and many other Wisconsin travel publications. Gary later authored two editions of The Great Wisconsin Touring Book – 30 Spectacular Auto Tours, published by Wisconsin Trails.
Gary is a freelance travel writer and past president of the Midwest Travel Journalists Association. He regularly ‘tells people where to go’ as a radio show guest and through his ‘Gary Getaways’ column in the Journal and Topics newspaper chain.
Mae, who continues her role as an administrative director, began her discovery of the bounty and beauty of the state of Wisconsin as the director of Wisconsin’s agricultural ambassador program, Alice in Dairyland. Mae can tell you why there are tents over those fields in Marathon County, where to find the world’s largest grower of horseradish and how to shop for the best cheese curds. She recently retired from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Talk to her about roundabouts!
Their current topless ride is a 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK 320. Past convertibles include ‘93 and ’95 Oldsmobile Cutlasses and a ‘61 Buick Electra 225 rag-top.
