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Wikipedia

Convertible

January 09, 2023

For other uses, see Convertible (disambiguation).
"Cabriolet" redirects here. For the horse carriage, see cabriolet (carriage). For the armchair, see cabriolet (furniture).

A convertible or cabriolet (/ˌkæbrioʊˈleɪ/) is a passenger car that can be driven with or without a roof in place. The methods of retracting and storing the roof vary among eras and manufacturers.

2006–2007 Mazda MX-5/Miata roadster
1951 Hudson convertible[1]
2001 BMW M3 convertible

A convertible car's design allows an open-air driving experience, with the ability to provide a roof when required. A potential drawback of convertibles is their reduced structural rigidity (requiring significant engineering and modification to counteract the effects of removing a car's roof).[2][3]

The majority of convertible roofs are of a folding construction framework with the actual top made from cloth or other fabric. Other types of convertible roofs include retractable hardtops (often constructed from metal or plastic) and detachable hardtops (where a metal or plastic roof is manually removed and often stored in the trunk).

Terminology

Other terms for convertibles include cabriolet, cabrio, drop top, drophead coupé, open two-seater, open top, rag top, soft top, spider, and spyder. Consistency is rare about the current use of cabriolet in preference to convertible.[4] The term cabriolet originated from a carriage cabriolet: "a light, two-wheeled, one-horse carriage with a folding top, capable of seating two persons"; however, the term is also used to describe other convertibles.[5]

In the United Kingdom, the historical term for a two-door convertible is drophead coupé, and a four-door convertible was called an all-weather tourer.[6]

History

 
1897 Daimler Grafton Phaeton
 
1928 Ford Model A Roadster
 
1981 AMC Eagle Sundancer
 
1984 Chrysler LeBaron

Most of the early automobiles were open-air vehicles without any roof or sides.[7][8][9][10] As car engines became more powerful by the end of the 19th century, folding textile or leather roofs (as had been used on victoria or landau carriages) began to appear on cars.[11][12] Examples of early cars with roofs include the phaeton (a two-seat car with a temporary roof), the brougham or a coupé de ville, having an enclosed passenger compartment at the rear, while the driver sat in front either in the open, or the landaulet, where the driver has a fixed roof and the passenger compartment has a folding roof. Less expensive cars, such as the runabouts, sporting roadsters, or sturdy touring cars, remained either completely open air or were fitted with a rudimentary folding top and detachable clear side curtains.

In the 1920s, when steel bodies began to be mass-produced, closed cars became available to the average buyer, and fully open cars began to disappear from the mainstream market.[13] By the mid 1930s, the remaining small number of convertibles sold were high-priced luxury models.[12] In 1939, Plymouth introduced the first mechanically operated convertible roof powered by two vacuum cylinders.[14][15]

Demand for convertibles increased as a result of American soldiers in France and the United Kingdom during World War 2 experiencing the small roadster cars that were not available in the United States at the time.[13] These roadsters included the MG Midget and Triumph Roadster. The convertible design was incorporated into the mass-market unibody by Hudson in 1948.[16][17] United States automakers manufactured a broad range of convertible models during the 1950s and 1960s – from economical compact-sized models such as the Rambler American[18] and the Studebaker Lark, to the more expensive models, such as the Packard Caribbean, Oldsmobile 98, and Imperial by Chrysler.[19] Automakers often included a convertible body style as an available body style in a model range.[20][21][22]

Convertibles in the U.S. market reached a sales peak in 1965 and fell in popularity over the next five years.[23] Optional air conditioning became more popular and the availability of sunroofs and T-tops limited the appeal of the open body style as well as the noise, leaks, and repairs associated with fabric tops.[23] The popularity of convertibles was reduced by the increased travel speeds on roads (resulting in more wind and noise for occupants) and proposed vehicle crash safety standards in the United States.[13][24]

The market share of convertibles fell to two or three percent of total sales and the U.S. automakers discontinued the body style from their lineups.[23] After the last Cadillac Eldorado convertible was made in 1976, the only factory convertibles sold in the United States were imported. Making convertibles on the assembly line was both expensive and time consuming, thus not worth the problems needed to sell the limited number of cars.[23]

Specialized coachbuilders were contracted to make dealer-available cars such as the Targa top versions of the AMC Concord and Eagle "Sundancer" as well as the Toyota Celica "Sunchaser" as specialty models.[25][26] American Sunroof Company (ASC), which was responsible for popularizing the sunroof option for regular body styles, converted a Buick Riviera into a full convertible that compelled General Motors to market it as part of the 1982 Buick models.[23] Chrysler Corporation also introduced convertible body style in its 1982 lines based on the K-Car. These were the LeBaron, and for Dodge, the 400.[27][28] Ford reintroduced a convertible Mustang for 1983 while American Motors Corporation (AMC) added a convertible version of the Renault Alliance in 1984.[29][30]

In 1989, Mazda released the first generation Mazda MX-5 (called "Miata" in North America), which has become the best-selling convertible with over 1 million cars sold.[31] Also in 1989, Toyota released the Toyota Soarer Aerocabin, which uses an electrically operated retractable hardtop roof.[32] A total of 500 were produced.[33]

Models dedicated to the convertible body style include the Mazda MX-5, Porsche Boxster, and Opel Cascada.[34]

Roof types

Textile

 
BMW Z8 with a fabric roof in up position

A "soft top" is made from a flexible textile material:

  • Early convertibles used cotton canvas woven so tightly that it is waterproof. Automakers had problems in securing raw materials to fulfill orders after World War II, including canvas in various shades for convertible tops, therefore limiting their manufacture.[35]
  • A cloth-based material has become more common in recent years.[36]

Other materials are also used in the convertible top. By 1955, the most popular materials were latex and butyl rubber fabrics that each accounted for around 35% of the convertible top's weight, with others included vinyl (12%), jute (8%), along with rayon and acrylic fibers (Orlon), amounting to about 1% each in the compositions.[37] Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material was used for many convertible tops. The material consists of two layers: a top layer made of PVC, which has a specific structure depending on the vehicle model, and a lower layer made of fabric (usually cotton).

The collapsible textile roof section over an articulated folding frame may include linings such as a sound-deadening layer and/or an interior cosmetic lining, to hide the frame.

The folded convertible mechanism with the top is called the stack.[38] Designs that fold down to a lower stack height offer a smoother silhouette for the car with the top down while concealed side rails allow room for three passengers in the back seat such as on the 1967 Rambler Rebel convertible.[39]

Detachable hardtop

 
1938 Peugeot 402 retracting its one-piece detachable hard roof

Rigid removable hardtops, many of which can be stored in a car's trunk/boot, have been available at least since the 1950s.[40][41] These usually provide greater weatherproofing, soundproofing, and durability compared to fabric-based tops; some are available with integrated rear-window defrosters and windscreens. Examples include the Ford Thunderbird (1st-generation and 11th-generation), Mercedes SL (2nd-generation and 3rd-generation), Porsche Boxster, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Mustang Cobra (1995 Only), and Mazda MX-5.

During the 1950s and 1960s, detachable hard-material roofs were offered for various convertible sports cars and roadsters, including the 1955–1957 Ford Thunderbird and Chevrolet Corvette, as well as the 1963–1971 Mercedes-Benz W113 series of two-seaters. Because the convertible top mechanism is itself expensive, the hard roof was customarily offered as an additional, extra-cost option. On early Thunderbirds (and Corvettes through 1967), buyers could choose between a detachable hardtop and a folding canvas top at no additional cost, but paid extra for both.

The metal-framed "Carson top" was a popular addition for the 1930s Ford convertibles or roadsters because it turned these models into an almost instant hardtop.[40] The design mimicked a convertible top, but lacking the bulky folding mechanisms enabled the removable hardtop to have a much lower and more rakish profile.[42]

Improvements in canvas tops have rendered the detachable hard roof less common in part because the top cannot be stored inside the vehicle when not in use, requiring a garage or other storage facility. Some open cars continue to offer it as an option. For example, Mazda MX-5s has an accessory hardtop, which is compulsory for some auto racing series.

Retractable hardtop

 
A Volvo C70 retractable hard roof with folding segments
Main article: Retractable hardtop

A retractable hardtop — also known as "coupé convertible" or "coupé cabriolet" — is a car with an automatically operated, self-storing hardtop (as opposed to the textile-based roof used by traditional convertibles).

The benefits of improved climate control and security are traded off against increased mechanical complexity, cost, weight, and often reduced luggage capacity.[citation needed]

Other design features

 
MG TD open two-seater with tonneau cover over the passenger seat and luggage space

Tonneau cover

Main article: Tonneau

Folding textile convertible tops often fail to completely hide their internal mechanism or can expose their vulnerable underside to sun exposure and fading. A tonneau cover provides a solution.

Rear window

Rear windows are often part of the roof assembly. Traditionally, the rear window in a soft-top was made from plastic; however, more recently some convertibles have used glass for the rear window.[43]

Windblocker

A windblocker or wind deflector minimizes noise and rushing air reaching the occupants.[44] According to the engineer responsible for the 2008 Chrysler Sebring, its windblocker reduces wind noise by approximately 11 to 12 dB.[45]

Several convertibles are available with a heating duct to the neck area of the seat, which is often called an "Air Scarf". Examples of cars with this feature include Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, and Audi A5/S5.

Safety

Modern safety features specifically for convertibles include:

Variations

Convertibles have offered numerous iterations that fall between the first mechanically simple fabric tops to complex retractable roofs made from hard materials:

Roadster: A roadster (also called spider or spyder) is an open two-seat car with emphasis on sporting appearance or character. Initially, an American term for a two-seat car with no weather protection, usage has spread internationally and has evolved to include two-seat convertibles.

Cabrio coach: A cabrio coach (also called semi-convertible) has a retractable textile roof, similar to a traditional convertible. The difference is that a convertible often has the B-pillar, C-pillar and other bodywork removed. However, the cabrio-coach retains all bodywork to the top of the door frames and just replaces the roof skin with a retractable fabric panel.

An advantage of a cabrio coach is that retaining more of the car's original structure means that structural rigidity is higher (or the vehicle weight is lower) than traditional cabriolets.[47] An example of the cabrio coach is the 2003-10 C3 Pluriel,[47] which has a roof with five possible configurations.[48][49]

 
Fiat 500 Cabrio with fabric roof folded to the rear

Fixed-profile: In contrast to convertibles where the entire bodywork above the beltline (doors, roof, side pillars, side bodywork) is replaced with a folding or retractable roof, the fixed profile convertible retains portions of fixed bodywork including the doors, side pillars, and side elements of the roof — while a center fabric portion slides back and accordions at the rear. As an example, Citroën's 1948 Citroën 2CV featured rigid bodysides and two doors on each side, along with a sunroof that rolled back on itself and extended to the rear bumper in place of a separate trunk lid. Other fixed-profile convertibles include the 1957 Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile, 1957 Vespa 400, 1950 Nash Rambler Landau Convertible Coupe, the Nissan Figaro (1991), the Jaguar XJ-SC (1983) as well as the 1957 Fiat 500 and its 2007 Fiat 500 successor. The 1984 Heuliez-designed Citroën Visa Décapotable used elements of a fixed-profile convertible.

Four-door: Most convertibles have two doors. However, four-door convertibles have been mass-produced. Examples include the 1940-41 Cadillac Series 62, 1931 Chrysler Imperial Dual Cowl Phaeton and 1961-67 Lincoln Continental.[50] Current production four-door convertibles include the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Mini Cooper Cabriolet.[51][52][53]

Peugeot presented a concept four-door retractable hardtop convertible, the Peugeot 407 Macarena in 2006.[54] Produced by French coachbuilding specialist Heuliez, the Macarena's top can be folded in 60 seconds,[54] with a steel reinforcing beam behind the front seats incorporating LCD screens for the rear passengers into the crossmember.[54]

Off-road: Several off-road vehicles have been produced with removable soft tops.[55] Examples include the Jeep Wrangler, Suzuki Vitara, Suzuki Jimny,[56] Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender, Mercedes-Benz G-Class[57] as well as early models of the Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defender. Typically, the soft tops attach to the roll cage or to the installation points on the vehicle's body.

Landaulet: A landaulet (also known as landaulette) is where the rear passengers are covered by a convertible top.[58][59][60] Often the driver is separated from the rear passengers with a partition,[59] as per a limousine.

In the second half of the 20th century, landaulets were used by public figures (such as heads of state) in formal processions. They are now rarely used, for fear of terrorist attacks.

Victoria-Cabriolet: reminiscent of the victoria carriage style, a three-position convertible. No rear side windows and equipped with a soft top that can be raised partway, leaving the area above the front seats folded back.[61] This body style had a short period of popularity, mainly in the 1930s. Other names include Cabriolet/Coupé Milord (or just Milord), Calash (from Calèche), Folding Head DHC, three-position Drop-head Coupé, or Cabriolet toit de 3 positions.[62]

Gallery

Open car and roadster

  •  

    Ford Model T circa 1925, with minimal weather protection

  •  

    Bentley 4½ Litre 1929 with luxury snap-on and thumbscrew sidescreens

  •  

    Aero 500 from 1929

  •  

    Ford Phaeton 1934 open four-door touring car

  •  

    1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster

  •  

    MG TD circa 1953, with manual soft top and detachable sidescreens with plastic windows

  •  

    Lancia D23 Spyder 1953

  •  

    1955 Porsche 550 Spyder

Convertibles

Retractable hardtop

See also

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to convertibles.

References

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  2. ^ Garrett, Jerry (8 October 2006). "2007 Volkswagen Eos: In Praise of a Convertible Goddess". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
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  39. ^ "1967 AMC Data Book - Rambler Rebel convertible". oldcarbrochures.org. p. 34. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  40. ^ a b Howley, Tim (April 2006). "A History of Hardtops". Hemmings Classic Car. Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  41. ^ "356 Porsche Removable Hardtops". derwhites356literature.com. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
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  45. ^ . Chrysler Group (Press release). 30 March 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2022 – via prnewswire.
  46. ^ "Volvo C70 - safety, the next generation". autoblog.com.
  47. ^ a b "The Semi-Convertible or Cabrio Coach: It's About Being Chic and Strong at the Same Time". autoevolution.com. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  48. ^ a b . Archived from the original on 5 November 2007.
  49. ^ "Citroen C3 Pluriel". honestjohn.co.uk. 28 May 2003. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  50. ^ Auto editors of Consumer Guide (1997). Cars Of The Sizzling 60's: A Decade Of Great Rides And Good Vibrations (First ed.). Publications International. pp. 68–69, 307. ISBN 9780785324355.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  51. ^ "Jeep history in the 2000s". jeep.com. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  52. ^ "2017 Jeep Wrangler". edmunds.com. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  53. ^ "2022 Mini Convertible". cars.com. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  54. ^ a b c . Edmunds. 18 January 2006. Archived from the original on 19 December 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  55. ^ "Evolution Of The Convertible SUV". autowise.com. March 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  56. ^ "Suzuki Jimny 2005 - 2012". autoevolution.com. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  57. ^ "2018 Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet". caranddriver.com. 12 February 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  58. ^ Georgano, Nick (2001). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Routledge. p. 216. ISBN 978-1-57958-367-5.
  59. ^ a b Clough, Albert L. (1913). A dictionary of automobile terms. The Horseless Age Company. p. 185. LCCN 13003001. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  60. ^ The Merriam-Webster new book of word histories. Merriam-Webster. 1991. pp. 358–359. ISBN 9780877796039. LCCN 91029965. Retrieved 25 June 2022. The motor landaulet was essentially an enclosed sedan or coupe with a folding top at the extreme rear quarter, over the rear seat.
  61. ^ Haajanen, Lennart W. (2017), Illustrated Dictionary of Automobile Body Styles (Second ed.), McFarland, p. 34, ISBN 9780786499182, retrieved 25 June 2022 – via Google Books
  62. ^ Haajanen, p. 35
  63. ^ Niedermeyer, Paul (25 January 2021). "Junkyard ClassicMiat/Automotive History: 1955 Rambler Cross Country – How Rambler Won The Compact And Price Wars Of The 1950's And Saved AMC". Curbside Classic. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  64. ^ "2007 Porsche Boxster". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  65. ^ Vaughn, Mark (10 September 2006). . Autoweek. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.

Further reading

  • Adler, Dennis (2011). Convertibles. First Gear series. Minneapolis, MN: Motorbooks. ISBN 9780760340202.
  • Hirsch, Jay; Weith, Warren (1979). The Last American Convertibles. New York: Collier Books; London: Collier Macmillan. ISBN 0-02-080010-X.
  • Holmes, Mark (2007). Ultimate Convertibles: Roofless Beauty. London: Kandour. ISBN 978-1-905741-62-5.
  • Langworth, Richard M (1988). The Great American Convertible. New York: Beekman House. ISBN 0-517-65581-0.
  • Wieder, Robert; Hall, George (1977). The Great American Convertible: An Affectionate Guide. Garden City, NY: Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-13123-2.

January 09, 2023
convertible, other, uses, disambiguation, cabriolet, redirects, here, horse, carriage, cabriolet, carriage, armchair, cabriolet, furniture, convertible, cabriolet, passenger, that, driven, with, without, roof, place, methods, retracting, storing, roof, vary, a. For other uses see Convertible disambiguation Cabriolet redirects here For the horse carriage see cabriolet carriage For the armchair see cabriolet furniture A convertible or cabriolet ˌ k ae b r i oʊ ˈ l eɪ is a passenger car that can be driven with or without a roof in place The methods of retracting and storing the roof vary among eras and manufacturers 2006 2007 Mazda MX 5 Miata roadster1951 Hudson convertible 1 2001 BMW M3 convertible A convertible car s design allows an open air driving experience with the ability to provide a roof when required A potential drawback of convertibles is their reduced structural rigidity requiring significant engineering and modification to counteract the effects of removing a car s roof 2 3 The majority of convertible roofs are of a folding construction framework with the actual top made from cloth or other fabric Other types of convertible roofs include retractable hardtops often constructed from metal or plastic and detachable hardtops where a metal or plastic roof is manually removed and often stored in the trunk Contents 1 Terminology 2 History 3 Roof types 3 1 Textile 3 2 Detachable hardtop 3 3 Retractable hardtop 4 Other design features 4 1 Tonneau cover 4 2 Rear window 4 3 Windblocker 4 4 Safety 5 Variations 6 Gallery 6 1 Open car and roadster 6 2 Convertibles 6 3 Retractable hardtop 7 See also 8 References 8 1 Further readingTerminology EditOther terms for convertibles include cabriolet cabrio drop top drophead coupe open two seater open top rag top soft top spider and spyder Consistency is rare about the current use of cabriolet in preference to convertible 4 The term cabriolet originated from a carriage cabriolet a light two wheeled one horse carriage with a folding top capable of seating two persons however the term is also used to describe other convertibles 5 In the United Kingdom the historical term for a two door convertible is drophead coupe and a four door convertible was called an all weather tourer 6 History Edit 1897 Daimler Grafton Phaeton 1928 Ford Model A Roadster 1981 AMC Eagle Sundancer 1984 Chrysler LeBaron Most of the early automobiles were open air vehicles without any roof or sides 7 8 9 10 As car engines became more powerful by the end of the 19th century folding textile or leather roofs as had been used on victoria or landau carriages began to appear on cars 11 12 Examples of early cars with roofs include the phaeton a two seat car with a temporary roof the brougham or a coupe de ville having an enclosed passenger compartment at the rear while the driver sat in front either in the open or the landaulet where the driver has a fixed roof and the passenger compartment has a folding roof Less expensive cars such as the runabouts sporting roadsters or sturdy touring cars remained either completely open air or were fitted with a rudimentary folding top and detachable clear side curtains In the 1920s when steel bodies began to be mass produced closed cars became available to the average buyer and fully open cars began to disappear from the mainstream market 13 By the mid 1930s the remaining small number of convertibles sold were high priced luxury models 12 In 1939 Plymouth introduced the first mechanically operated convertible roof powered by two vacuum cylinders 14 15 Demand for convertibles increased as a result of American soldiers in France and the United Kingdom during World War 2 experiencing the small roadster cars that were not available in the United States at the time 13 These roadsters included the MG Midget and Triumph Roadster The convertible design was incorporated into the mass market unibody by Hudson in 1948 16 17 United States automakers manufactured a broad range of convertible models during the 1950s and 1960s from economical compact sized models such as the Rambler American 18 and the Studebaker Lark to the more expensive models such as the Packard Caribbean Oldsmobile 98 and Imperial by Chrysler 19 Automakers often included a convertible body style as an available body style in a model range 20 21 22 Convertibles in the U S market reached a sales peak in 1965 and fell in popularity over the next five years 23 Optional air conditioning became more popular and the availability of sunroofs and T tops limited the appeal of the open body style as well as the noise leaks and repairs associated with fabric tops 23 The popularity of convertibles was reduced by the increased travel speeds on roads resulting in more wind and noise for occupants and proposed vehicle crash safety standards in the United States 13 24 The market share of convertibles fell to two or three percent of total sales and the U S automakers discontinued the body style from their lineups 23 After the last Cadillac Eldorado convertible was made in 1976 the only factory convertibles sold in the United States were imported Making convertibles on the assembly line was both expensive and time consuming thus not worth the problems needed to sell the limited number of cars 23 Specialized coachbuilders were contracted to make dealer available cars such as the Targa top versions of the AMC Concord and Eagle Sundancer as well as the Toyota Celica Sunchaser as specialty models 25 26 American Sunroof Company ASC which was responsible for popularizing the sunroof option for regular body styles converted a Buick Riviera into a full convertible that compelled General Motors to market it as part of the 1982 Buick models 23 Chrysler Corporation also introduced convertible body style in its 1982 lines based on the K Car These were the LeBaron and for Dodge the 400 27 28 Ford reintroduced a convertible Mustang for 1983 while American Motors Corporation AMC added a convertible version of the Renault Alliance in 1984 29 30 In 1989 Mazda released the first generation Mazda MX 5 called Miata in North America which has become the best selling convertible with over 1 million cars sold 31 Also in 1989 Toyota released the Toyota Soarer Aerocabin which uses an electrically operated retractable hardtop roof 32 A total of 500 were produced 33 Models dedicated to the convertible body style include the Mazda MX 5 Porsche Boxster and Opel Cascada 34 Roof types EditTextile Edit BMW Z8 with a fabric roof in up position A soft top is made from a flexible textile material Early convertibles used cotton canvas woven so tightly that it is waterproof Automakers had problems in securing raw materials to fulfill orders after World War II including canvas in various shades for convertible tops therefore limiting their manufacture 35 A cloth based material has become more common in recent years 36 Other materials are also used in the convertible top By 1955 the most popular materials were latex and butyl rubber fabrics that each accounted for around 35 of the convertible top s weight with others included vinyl 12 jute 8 along with rayon and acrylic fibers Orlon amounting to about 1 each in the compositions 37 Polyvinyl chloride PVC material was used for many convertible tops The material consists of two layers a top layer made of PVC which has a specific structure depending on the vehicle model and a lower layer made of fabric usually cotton The collapsible textile roof section over an articulated folding frame may include linings such as a sound deadening layer and or an interior cosmetic lining to hide the frame The folded convertible mechanism with the top is called the stack 38 Designs that fold down to a lower stack height offer a smoother silhouette for the car with the top down while concealed side rails allow room for three passengers in the back seat such as on the 1967 Rambler Rebel convertible 39 Detachable hardtop Edit 1938 Peugeot 402 retracting its one piece detachable hard roof Rigid removable hardtops many of which can be stored in a car s trunk boot have been available at least since the 1950s 40 41 These usually provide greater weatherproofing soundproofing and durability compared to fabric based tops some are available with integrated rear window defrosters and windscreens Examples include the Ford Thunderbird 1st generation and 11th generation Mercedes SL 2nd generation and 3rd generation Porsche Boxster Jeep Wrangler Ford Mustang Cobra 1995 Only and Mazda MX 5 During the 1950s and 1960s detachable hard material roofs were offered for various convertible sports cars and roadsters including the 1955 1957 Ford Thunderbird and Chevrolet Corvette as well as the 1963 1971 Mercedes Benz W113 series of two seaters Because the convertible top mechanism is itself expensive the hard roof was customarily offered as an additional extra cost option On early Thunderbirds and Corvettes through 1967 buyers could choose between a detachable hardtop and a folding canvas top at no additional cost but paid extra for both The metal framed Carson top was a popular addition for the 1930s Ford convertibles or roadsters because it turned these models into an almost instant hardtop 40 The design mimicked a convertible top but lacking the bulky folding mechanisms enabled the removable hardtop to have a much lower and more rakish profile 42 Improvements in canvas tops have rendered the detachable hard roof less common in part because the top cannot be stored inside the vehicle when not in use requiring a garage or other storage facility Some open cars continue to offer it as an option For example Mazda MX 5s has an accessory hardtop which is compulsory for some auto racing series Retractable hardtop Edit A Volvo C70 retractable hard roof with folding segments Main article Retractable hardtop A retractable hardtop also known as coupe convertible or coupe cabriolet is a car with an automatically operated self storing hardtop as opposed to the textile based roof used by traditional convertibles The benefits of improved climate control and security are traded off against increased mechanical complexity cost weight and often reduced luggage capacity citation needed Other design features Edit MG TD open two seater with tonneau cover over the passenger seat and luggage space Tonneau cover Edit Main article Tonneau Folding textile convertible tops often fail to completely hide their internal mechanism or can expose their vulnerable underside to sun exposure and fading A tonneau cover provides a solution Rear window Edit Rear windows are often part of the roof assembly Traditionally the rear window in a soft top was made from plastic however more recently some convertibles have used glass for the rear window 43 Windblocker Edit A windblocker or wind deflector minimizes noise and rushing air reaching the occupants 44 According to the engineer responsible for the 2008 Chrysler Sebring its windblocker reduces wind noise by approximately 11 to 12 dB 45 Several convertibles are available with a heating duct to the neck area of the seat which is often called an Air Scarf Examples of cars with this feature include Mercedes Benz SLK Class Mercedes Benz SL Class and Audi A5 S5 Safety Edit Modern safety features specifically for convertibles include rollover protection structures ROPS with pyrotechnically charged roll hoops hidden behind the rear seats that deploy under rollover conditions heated rear window for improved visibility boron steel reinforced A pillars safety cage construction a horseshoe like structure around the passenger compartment door mounted side impact airbag which inflates upward instead of downward like the typical curtain airbag to provide head protection even with an open window 46 Variations EditConvertibles have offered numerous iterations that fall between the first mechanically simple fabric tops to complex retractable roofs made from hard materials Roadster A roadster also called spider or spyder is an open two seat car with emphasis on sporting appearance or character Initially an American term for a two seat car with no weather protection usage has spread internationally and has evolved to include two seat convertibles Cabrio coach A cabrio coach also called semi convertible has a retractable textile roof similar to a traditional convertible The difference is that a convertible often has the B pillar C pillar and other bodywork removed However the cabrio coach retains all bodywork to the top of the door frames and just replaces the roof skin with a retractable fabric panel An advantage of a cabrio coach is that retaining more of the car s original structure means that structural rigidity is higher or the vehicle weight is lower than traditional cabriolets 47 An example of the cabrio coach is the 2003 10 C3 Pluriel 47 which has a roof with five possible configurations 48 49 Fiat 500 Cabrio with fabric roof folded to the rear Fixed profile In contrast to convertibles where the entire bodywork above the beltline doors roof side pillars side bodywork is replaced with a folding or retractable roof the fixed profile convertible retains portions of fixed bodywork including the doors side pillars and side elements of the roof while a center fabric portion slides back and accordions at the rear As an example Citroen s 1948 Citroen 2CV featured rigid bodysides and two doors on each side along with a sunroof that rolled back on itself and extended to the rear bumper in place of a separate trunk lid Other fixed profile convertibles include the 1957 Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile 1957 Vespa 400 1950 Nash Rambler Landau Convertible Coupe the Nissan Figaro 1991 the Jaguar XJ SC 1983 as well as the 1957 Fiat 500 and its 2007 Fiat 500 successor The 1984 Heuliez designed Citroen Visa Decapotable used elements of a fixed profile convertible Four door Most convertibles have two doors However four door convertibles have been mass produced Examples include the 1940 41 Cadillac Series 62 1931 Chrysler Imperial Dual Cowl Phaeton and 1961 67 Lincoln Continental 50 Current production four door convertibles include the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Mini Cooper Cabriolet 51 52 53 Peugeot presented a concept four door retractable hardtop convertible the Peugeot 407 Macarena in 2006 54 Produced by French coachbuilding specialist Heuliez the Macarena s top can be folded in 60 seconds 54 with a steel reinforcing beam behind the front seats incorporating LCD screens for the rear passengers into the crossmember 54 Off road Several off road vehicles have been produced with removable soft tops 55 Examples include the Jeep Wrangler Suzuki Vitara Suzuki Jimny 56 Ford Bronco Land Rover Defender Mercedes Benz G Class 57 as well as early models of the Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defender Typically the soft tops attach to the roll cage or to the installation points on the vehicle s body Landaulet A landaulet also known as landaulette is where the rear passengers are covered by a convertible top 58 59 60 Often the driver is separated from the rear passengers with a partition 59 as per a limousine In the second half of the 20th century landaulets were used by public figures such as heads of state in formal processions They are now rarely used for fear of terrorist attacks Victoria Cabriolet reminiscent of the victoria carriage style a three position convertible No rear side windows and equipped with a soft top that can be raised partway leaving the area above the front seats folded back 61 This body style had a short period of popularity mainly in the 1930s Other names include Cabriolet Coupe Milord or just Milord Calash from Caleche Folding Head DHC three position Drop head Coupe or Cabriolet toit de 3 positions 62 Gallery EditOpen car and roadster Edit Ford Model T circa 1925 with minimal weather protection Bentley 4 Litre 1929 with luxury snap on and thumbscrew sidescreens Aero 500 from 1929 Ford Phaeton 1934 open four door touring car 1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster MG TD circa 1953 with manual soft top and detachable sidescreens with plastic windows Lancia D23 Spyder 1953 1955 Porsche 550 SpyderConvertibles Edit 1936 Packard One Twenty Convertible Victoria with the top in the semi open second position Fixed profile circa 1950 Nash Rambler Convertible Landau Coupe 63 Skoda 450 from 1957 Mercedes Benz 300d landaulet in operation Skoda Felicia from 1959 Lincoln Continental circa 1962 four door with automatic self storing tonneau Jaguar E type 1963 with vinyl foldable tonneau installed and snap secured Mercedes SL 1964 available with a detachable hardtop 1966 Rolls Royce Phantom V landaulet Cadillac Eldorado 1972 with detachable two part fully rigid parade boot tonneau cover Citroen 2CV fixed profile convertible circa 1975 with roll back roof and rigid doors ZIL 410441 parading on Victory Day 2011 Rolls Royce Corniche circa 1986 with a manually installed tonneau cover Cadillac Allante circa 1993 with detachable rigid plastic tonneau cover Volkswagen New Beetle circa 2003 with raised textile top Porsche Boxster circa 2004 with detachable clear plastic windblocker and a Z fold top 64 Citroen C3 Pluriel circa 2007 with roll back textile roof and removable rigid sidebars 48 A Fiat 500 2007 fixed profile convertible Jaguar XK circa 2008 with heatable glass rear window and fully automatic cloth topRetractable hardtop Edit 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Daihatsu Copen circa 2001 with retracted hardtop kei class Chevrolet SSR circa 2004 a retractable hardtop convertible pickup truck Ford Focus CC circa 2006 with its roof retracted Mazda MX 5 circa 2007 with polycarbonate hardtop 65 Cadillac XLR circa 2007 with aluminum hardtop concealed by tonneau cover Volkswagen Eos circa 2007 with five segment top and independent sunroofSee also Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to convertibles Targa top NASCAR Convertible Division Vinyl roof SunroofReferences Edit Hudson Hornet Generation I Convertible Rigas Meistardarbnica 2015 Retrieved 25 June 2022 Garrett Jerry 8 October 2006 2007 Volkswagen Eos In Praise of a Convertible Goddess The New York Times Retrieved 6 March 2011 What You Should Know Before Buying a Convertible Edmunds Retrieved 6 March 2011 Convertible and Cabriolet what s the difference Convertible Car Magazine 31 December 2016 Retrieved 10 March 2022 Definition Cabriolet dictionary com Retrieved 10 March 2022 Beattie Ian 1977 The Complete Book of Automobile Body Design Haynes Publishing Group pp 36 42 43 ISBN 0854292179 Beginnings of the automobile the predecessor companies 1886 1920 daimler com Retrieved 14 April 2018 British Motor Manufacturers 1894 1960 Arnold britishmm co uk Archived from the original on 16 June 2011 Early American Automobiles Pre 1900 earlyamericanautomobiles com Retrieved 14 April 2018 Hurtu gracesguide co uk Retrieved 14 April 2018 The Evolution of the Convertible slide 2 popularmechanics com 25 June 2012 Retrieved 14 April 2018 a b A brief history of the convertible autofocus ca Retrieved 14 April 2018 a b c The up and down history of the convertible cbsnews com Retrieved 14 April 2018 The Evolution of the Convertible slide 5 popularmechanics com 25 June 2012 Retrieved 14 April 2018 The Deluxe Plymouth for 1939 brochure PDF p 15 Retrieved 26 December 2022 via xr793 com Lewis Corey 7 March 2019 Rare Rides A Hudson Commodore Brougham From 1950 Complete With Celebrity Ownership thetruthaboutcars com Retrieved 26 December 2022 Salmi Steve 11 February 2022 1948 Hudson step down was a brilliant car with tragic flaws Indie Auto Retrieved 26 December 2022 All new A convertible with Rambler Excellence advertisement Life Vol 50 no 22 2 June 1962 Retrieved 26 December 2022 via Google Books Mort Norm 15 September 2010 American Independent Automakers AMC to Willys 1945 to 1960 Veloce Publishing pp 29 30 ISBN 9781845842390 Retrieved 26 December 2022 via Google Books 1967 Rambler Rebel brochure oldcarbrochures org p 13 Retrieved 10 March 2022 LaChance Dave July 2006 Daytona Delight 1964 Studebaker Daytona Hemmings Classic Car Retrieved 26 December 2022 Schild James J 2004 Original Dodge and Plymouth B Body Muscle 1966 1970 MotorBooks International p 78 ISBN 9781610591324 Retrieved 26 December 2022 via Google Books a b c d e Hunting Benjamin 15 February 2022 How ASC brought convertibles back from the dead Hagerty Retrieved 26 December 2022 The Evolution of the Convertible slide 8 popularmechanics com 25 June 2012 Retrieved 14 April 2018 Niedermeyer Paul 24 January 2014 The AMC I Forgot About Sundancer The Only Way To Top A Concord Or Eagle Curbside Classic Retrieved 26 December 2022 ODonnell Jim 27 November 2020 Rare SunChaser 1980 Toyota Celica Convertible Barn Finds Retrieved 26 December 2022 Holusha John 2 March 1981 The U S Convertible Making a Comeback The New York Times Retrieved 14 August 2019 The K Car Variations on a Theme Helped to Save Chrysler The New York Times 29 January 1984 Retrieved 14 August 2019 Stone Matthew L 1998 Mustang 5 0 and 4 6 1979 1998 MotorBooks International p 28 ISBN 9781610591089 Retrieved 26 December 2022 via Google Books Ross Daniel Charles October 1984 AMC s Sunny Side Up Popular Mechanics Vol 161 no 10 p 99 Retrieved 26 December 2022 via Google Books Mazda builds 1 millionth MX 5 autoblog com Retrieved 14 April 2018 A Soarer Aerocabin Found In LA speedhunters com June 2015 Retrieved 14 April 2018 This One Of 500 Toyota Soarer Aerocabin Can Be Yours carscoops com 21 September 2016 Retrieved 14 April 2018 2019 Buick Cascada Buyer s Guide MotorTrend Retrieved 25 June 2022 The Last Roadster Cars and Parts Vol 43 2000 p 42 Retrieved 26 December 2022 via Google Books Stroll Daniel 2009 Muscle Car Interior Restoration Guide CarTech p 120 ISBN 9781932494983 Retrieved 26 December 2022 via Google Books Jacobs Milton 1957 Fabrics and Fibers for Passenger Cars Automobile Manufacturers Views 1955 Compared with 1950 Issue 152 of Marketing research report U S Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service Marketing Research Division pp 8 40 41 Retrieved 26 December 2022 via Google Books Powell James C 25 April 2006 Convertible vehicle top stack mechanism freepatentsonline com Retrieved 26 December 2022 1967 AMC Data Book Rambler Rebel convertible oldcarbrochures org p 34 Retrieved 26 December 2022 a b Howley Tim April 2006 A History of Hardtops Hemmings Classic Car Hemmings Motor News Retrieved 26 December 2022 356 Porsche Removable Hardtops derwhites356literature com Retrieved 15 April 2018 Auto Editors of Consumer Guide 19 September 2007 Pisano Ogden Buick Profile of a Custom Car howstuffworks com Archived from the original on 29 November 2020 Retrieved 10 March 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link Convertible Buying Guide consumerreports org Retrieved 29 April 2018 Convertible buying info Top down driving edmunds com Retrieved 29 April 2018 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible s Solid Structure and Systems Deliver Smooth Driving Tight Handling and a Quiet Ride Chrysler Group Press release 30 March 2007 Archived from the original on 13 October 2012 Retrieved 10 March 2022 via prnewswire Volvo C70 safety the next generation autoblog com a b The Semi Convertible or Cabrio Coach It s About Being Chic and Strong at the Same Time autoevolution com 15 April 2015 Retrieved 5 April 2018 a b Citroen C3 Pluriel 2003 Review Archived from the original on 5 November 2007 Citroen C3 Pluriel honestjohn co uk 28 May 2003 Retrieved 3 February 2014 Auto editors of Consumer Guide 1997 Cars Of The Sizzling 60 s A Decade Of Great Rides And Good Vibrations First ed Publications International pp 68 69 307 ISBN 9780785324355 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link Jeep history in the 2000s jeep com Retrieved 8 May 2018 2017 Jeep Wrangler edmunds com Retrieved 8 May 2018 2022 Mini Convertible cars com Retrieved 25 June 2022 a b c Hey Macarena Heuliez Creates an Open Top Peugeot 407 Edmunds 18 January 2006 Archived from the original on 19 December 2006 Retrieved 25 June 2022 Evolution Of The Convertible SUV autowise com March 2018 Retrieved 8 May 2018 Suzuki Jimny 2005 2012 autoevolution com Retrieved 8 May 2018 2018 Mercedes Maybach G650 Landaulet caranddriver com 12 February 2017 Retrieved 8 May 2018 Georgano Nick 2001 Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile Routledge p 216 ISBN 978 1 57958 367 5 a b Clough Albert L 1913 A dictionary of automobile terms The Horseless Age Company p 185 LCCN 13003001 Retrieved 1 September 2014 The Merriam Webster new book of word histories Merriam Webster 1991 pp 358 359 ISBN 9780877796039 LCCN 91029965 Retrieved 25 June 2022 The motor landaulet was essentially an enclosed sedan or coupe with a folding top at the extreme rear quarter over the rear seat Haajanen Lennart W 2017 Illustrated Dictionary of Automobile Body Styles Second ed McFarland p 34 ISBN 9780786499182 retrieved 25 June 2022 via Google Books Haajanen p 35 Niedermeyer Paul 25 January 2021 Junkyard ClassicMiat Automotive History 1955 Rambler Cross Country How Rambler Won The Compact And Price Wars Of The 1950 s And Saved AMC Curbside Classic Retrieved 25 June 2022 2007 Porsche Boxster conceptcarz com Retrieved 6 March 2011 Vaughn Mark 10 September 2006 2007 Mazda MX 5 Miata Power Retractable Hardtop Autoweek Archived from the original on 4 June 2011 Retrieved 6 March 2011 Further reading Edit Adler Dennis 2011 Convertibles First Gear series Minneapolis MN Motorbooks ISBN 9780760340202 Hirsch Jay Weith Warren 1979 The Last American Convertibles New York Collier Books London Collier Macmillan ISBN 0 02 080010 X Holmes Mark 2007 Ultimate Convertibles Roofless Beauty London Kandour ISBN 978 1 905741 62 5 Langworth Richard M 1988 The Great American Convertible New York Beekman House ISBN 0 517 65581 0 Wieder Robert Hall George 1977 The Great American Convertible An Affectionate Guide Garden City NY Doubleday ISBN 0 385 13123 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Convertible amp oldid 1129777069, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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