Aconvertible orcabriolet (/ˌkæbrioʊˈleɪ/) is apassenger car that can be driven with or without aroof in place. The methods of retracting and storing the roof vary across eras and manufacturers.
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 reducedstructural rigidity (requiring significant engineering and modification to counteract the side effects of almost completely 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 includeretractable hardtops (often constructed from metal or plastic) anddetachable hardtops (where a metal or plastic roof is manually removed and often stored in thetrunk).
Other terms for convertibles include cabriolet, cabrio, drop top, drophead coupé, open two-seater, open top, rag top, soft top, spider, and spyder, although companies use many of these terms interchangeably. Thus, nomenclatural consistency is rare.[4] The term cabriolet originated from acarriage 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 anall-weather tourer.[6]
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 onvictoria orlandau carriages) began to appear on cars.[11][12] Examples of early cars with roofs include thephaeton (a two-seat car with a temporary roof), thebrougham or acoupé de ville, having an enclosed passenger compartment at the rear, while the driver sat in front either in the open, or thelandaulet, where the driver has a fixed roof and the passenger compartment has a folding roof. Less expensive cars, such as therunabouts, sportingroadsters, or sturdytouring 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 duringWorld War II familiarizing themselves with smallroadster cars, which were not available in the United States at that time.[13] These roadsters included theMG Midget andTriumph Roadster. The convertible design was incorporated into the mass marketunibody 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 theRambler American[18] and theStudebaker Lark, to the more expensive models, such as thePackard Caribbean,Oldsmobile 98, andImperial 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 peaked in sales around 1965, and fell in popularity over the next five years.[23] Optional air conditioning was gradually becoming more popular, and the availability of sunroofs and T-tops limited the appeal of the open body style. Noise, leaks, and repairs associated with fabric tops also contributed to issues that many customers had.[23] The popularity of convertibles was reduced by the increased travel speeds on roads (resulting in more wind and noise for occupants) and the emergence of more comprehensive 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] American Motors stopped making convertibles after the 1968 model year, Chrysler after 1971, Ford after 1973, and most divisions of General Motors after 1975. Cadillac held out until 1976, when they made about 14,000. The last 200 had a red, white, and blue motif and a dashboard plaque. The very last was offered to the Smithsonian Institution, whose trustees turned it down as it was not at that moment a historic artifact, "Though it might well be in three generations ... or at the Tricentennial."[25] After the lastCadillac 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]
1981 AMC Eagle Sundancer1985 Chrysler LeBaron convertible
Specialized coachbuilders were contracted to make dealer-available cars such as theTarga top versions of theAMC Concord andEagle "Sundancer" as well as theToyota Celica "Sunchaser" as specialty models.[26][27] American Sunroof Company (ASC), which was responsible for popularizing the sunroof option for regular body styles, converted aBuick Riviera into a full convertible that compelled General Motors to market it as part of the 1982 Buick models.[23]Chrysler Corporation also introduced a convertible body style in its 1982 lines that was based on theK-Car. These models were theLeBaron, produced under Chrysler, and the400, manufactured underDodge.[28][29] Ford reintroduced a convertibleMustang for 1983, whileAmerican Motors Corporation (AMC) added a convertible version of theRenault Alliance in 1984.[30][31]
In 1989, Mazda released the first generationMazda MX-5 (called "Miata" in North America), which has become the best-selling convertible with over 1 million cars sold.[32] Also in 1989, Toyota released theToyota Soarer Aerocabin, which uses an electrically operatedretractable hardtop roof.[33] A total of 500 were produced.[34]
A "soft top" is made from a flexible textile material:
Early convertibles used cottoncanvas woven so tightly that it was 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.[36]
A cloth-based material has become more common in recent years.[37]
Other materials are also used in the convertible top. By 1955, the most popular materials werelatex andbutyl rubber fabrics that each accounted for around 35% of the convertible top's weight, with others includedvinyl (12%),jute (8%), along withrayon andacrylic fibers (Orlon), amounting to about 1% each in the compositions.[38]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.[39] 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 the1967 Rambler Rebel convertible.[40]
Rigid removable hardtops, many of which can be stored in a car's trunk/boot, have been available at least since the 1950s.[41][42] 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 theFord Thunderbird (1st-generation and 11th-generation),Mercedes SL (2nd-generation and 3rd-generation),Porsche Boxster,Jeep Wrangler,Ford Mustang Cobra (1995 Only), andMazda MX-5.
During the 1950s and 1960s, detachable hard-material roofs were offered for variousconvertiblesports cars androadsters, including the 1955–1957Ford Thunderbird andChevrolet Corvette, as well as the 1963–1971Mercedes-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.[41] 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.[43]
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, theMazda MX-5 has an accessory hardtop, which is compulsory for some auto racing series.
Aretractable hardtop — also known as "coupé convertible" or "coupé cabriolet" — is a car with an automatically operated, self-storinghardtop (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]
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 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.[44]
A windblocker or wind deflector minimizes noise and rushing air reaching the occupants.[45] According to the engineer responsible for the 2008Chrysler Sebring, its windblocker reduces wind noise by approximately 11 to 12dB.[46]
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 includeMercedes-Benz SLK-Class,Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, andAudi A5/S5.
safety cage construction – a horseshoe-like structure around the passenger compartment
door-mounted side-impactairbag which inflates upward (instead of downward like the typical curtain airbag) to provide head protection even with an open window[47]
Convertibles have offered numerous iterations that fall between the first mechanically simple fabric tops to complex retractable roofs made from hard materials:
Roadster: Aroadster (also calledspider orspyder) 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: Acabrio coach (also calledsemi-convertible) has a retractabletextile roof, similar to a traditional convertible. The difference is that a convertible often has theB-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 thatstructural rigidity is higher (or the vehicle weight is lower) than traditional cabriolets.[48] An example of the cabrio coach is the 2003-10C3 Pluriel,[48] which has a roof with five possible configurations.[49][50]
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 1948Citroën 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 1957Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile, 1957Vespa 400, 1950Nash Rambler Landau Convertible Coupe, theNissan Figaro (1991), theJaguar XJ-SC (1983), the 1957Fiat 500 and its 2007Fiat 500 successor, as well as theMicrolino Spiaginno (2024). The 1984 Heuliez-designedCitroën VisaDécapotable used elements of a fixed-profile convertible.
Peugeot presented aconcept four-doorretractable hardtop convertible, thePeugeot 407 Macarena in 2006.[54] Produced by French coachbuilding specialistHeuliez, 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]
Landaulet: Alandaulet (also known aslandaulette) is where the rear passengers are covered by aconvertible top.[58][59][60] Often the driver is separated from the rear passengers with a partition,[59] as per alimousine.
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 thevictoria 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 (fromCalèche), Folding Head DHC, three-position Drop-head Coupé, orCabriolet toit de 3 positions.[62]
^Cars Of The Sizzling 60s: A Decade Of Great Rides And Good Vibrations (First ed.). Publications International. 1997. pp. 68–69, 307.ISBN9780785324355.
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![Fixed-profile circa 1950 Nash Rambler Convertible "Landau" Coupe[63]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3a1950-nash-001.jpg)
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![Porsche Boxster circa 2004, with detachable clear plastic windblocker and a Z-fold top[64]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aPorsche_Boxster_hr_silver.jpg)
![Citroën C3 Pluriel circa 2007 with roll-back textile roof and removable rigid sidebars[49]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aCitroen_C3_Pluriel_rear_20071104.jpg)
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![Mazda MX-5 circa 2007, with polycarbonate hardtop[65]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aMazda_MX-5_hardtop.jpg)
