Convertible#Retractable hardtop roof
A convertible top denotes the removable or fold-away roof of a convertible.
Basics
Today, the hood is a complex assembly consisting of the external, visible envelope, a moving, running in scissors, usually steel substructure that contains forward for clamping to the windshield of the bow, a feeding (not at all obscure ), and an inner roof skin (also not at all obscure ). Increasingly, motor actuations on convertible tops are installed. Comprising, besides the actual folding operation, the latch on the windshield.
In addition, decades even hardtops are known which can be mounted in place of the fabric soft top in winter, and more recently as a replacement of the fabric roof now kofferraumversenkbare folding roof structures such as the Mercedes SLK and Peugeot 206
Advantages of flexible masking compared to folding roof structures are of lower technical costs ( costs, particularly in the collision repair ) and a greater usable luggage compartment with the roof open.
Flexible soft top ( soft top )
Soft top is the English name for the soft top of a convertible of flexible material. As a top material PVC or fabric is usually used.
Flexible Canopies need some attention. When folding of many models must be carefully paid attention to the " Fold Insert ", lest components such as the rear window damage or even tear the roof of kinks. In many earlier English models, the scissors linkage are delicate objects that can the inexperienced fingers caught, and require much time for proper opening and closing. In addition, convertible tops are available in some areas target of vandalism attacks by being damaged with knife cuts, so it is advisable to park a convertible in a garage. Many older convertible tops with cotton fabric, it can not tolerate even when they are wet stowed under the tonneau. When the sun comes out again, and the vehicle then without a ventilation of the top, comes into the garage, arise frequently unpleasant odors and mold formation. Avoid plastic fabric canopies that, but are usually more sensitive to tearing.
Padded fabric top
In previous decades, there were only two convertible providers with padded Hide: VW ( Beetle and Golf cabriolet ) and the Mercedes SL series. Since the boom of the convertibles in the 1980s, however, several manufacturers are fed, high-order masking passed. Only with a lined hood a convertible is available all year round. The widespread introduction of high quality Canopies took the convertible the reputation of the third car and the toy of rich people, and enabled its users to use the Convertible is the only car all year, that is, without in the winter due to cold and drafts to resort to another vehicle.
Other convertible top designs without hood feeding show under the umbrella inside large parts of the supporting structure with shear joints and Spriegelstangen.
Folding roof ( retractable hardtop )
Over time were increased vehicles with a folding roof of solid materials on the market. Fold the roof usually in several segments in the trunk. This design is referred to in English as a retractable hardtop (RHT ) ( retractable hardtop ).
The first mass produced vehicle with a metal roof was the Peugeot 401 Eclipse of 1935., The American mass production, Ford offered in model years 1957, 1958 and 1959, the four-seat Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable Convertible Coupé, the metal roof in an over the conventional coupe extended trunk could be accommodated. In three years, created 48,400 copies, which are among the most wanted classic cars.
Four decades later, Mercedes -Benz took up the idea of the retractable metal roof with the SLK introduced in 1996 again. Other convertibles and roadsters received similar roof mechanisms, such as Lexus, Opel, BMW or even the Mazda MX 5, which can be ordered even in two variants, with a fabric roof folding or fixed roof.
With this roof made of steel and plastic, in the partially glass inserts (Renault Mégane CC, Nissan Micra ) or a sunroof (VW Eos ) are integrated, the Cabriolet can also be used as a coupe, so that the model name Coupé-Cabriolet has been established. The third -generation Mercedes- Benz SLK can be ordered with the so-called Magic Sky Control as an extension of the conventional roof with either a tinted panoramic vario-roof or panoramic vario- roof. On request here, the transparent glass roof stains seconds dark.