Convertible
For the currency reference, see
convertibility. For the stock trading
reference, see convertible security.
A convertible is a type of automobile in
which the roof can retract and fold away,
converting it from an enclosed to an open-air
vehicle. Many different automobile body
styles are manufactured and marketed in
convertible form.
Roof designs vary widely, but a few char-
acteristics are common to all convertibles.
Roofs are affixed to the body of the vehicle
and are usually not detachable. Instead the
roof is hinged and folds away, either into a
recess behind the rear seats or into the boot
or trunk of the vehicle. The roof may operate
either manually or automatically via hydraul-
ic or electrical actuators, and the roof itself
may be constructed of soft or rigid material.
Soft-tops are made of vinyl, canvas or other
textile material, while hard-tops are made of
steel,
aluminum, plastic or other rigid
materials.
Contemporary convertibles are known and
marketed under several different terms due
to the convergence of body styles over the
years. A soft-top convertible may also be re-
ferred to as a cabriolet or cabrio, although
two-seater soft tops often retain the name
roadster, referring to their body style. Hard-
tops are marketed under the terms coupé
cabriolet, coupé convertible or simply re-
tractable hardtop, while two-seaters more
commonly use coupé roadster/roadster
coupé.
Folding textile roof
The collapsible textile roof section (of cloth
or vinyl) over an articulated folding frame
may include linings such as a sound-deaden-
ing layer or interior cosmetic headliner (to
hide the frame) — or both — and may have
electrical or electro-hydraulic mechanisms
for raising the roof. The erected top secures
to the windshield frame header with manual
latches, semi-manual latches, or fully auto-
matic latches. The folded convertible top is
called the stack.
Pros and cons
Convertibles offer the flexibility of an open
top in trade for:
• potentially reduced safety
• poor break-in protection
• deterioration