View source for Retractable hardtop

{{Short description|Vehicle with a retracting solid roof}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}

[[File:VOLVO C70(in transforming).JPG|thumb|A [[Volvo C70]] with 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 folding textile-based roof used by traditional [[convertible]] cars.

Improved climate control and security benefits are traded against increased mechanical complexity, cost, weight, and often reduced luggage capacity.

A 2006 ''[[New York Times]]'' article suggested the retractable hardtop might herald the demise of the textile-roofed convertible,<ref name="nyt"/> and a 2007 ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' article suggested "more and more convertibles are eschewing soft cloth tops in favor of sophisticated folding metal roofs, making them practical in all climates, year-round."<ref name="wsj">{{cite news|title=Convertibles with Hard Tops |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |first=Matt |last=Vella |date=26 April 2007 |url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB117753756980082567 |access-date=3 February 2014}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Paris - RM auctions - 20150204 - Lancia Belna Eclipse - 1934 - 027.jpg|thumb|1934 [[Lancia Belna]] Eclipse]]
[[File:Paris - Retromobile 2013 - Peugeot 401 Coupé transformable Eclipse - 1935 - 101.jpg|thumb|1934 Peugeot 401D Coupé transformable Eclipse (Pourtout)]]

'''1922''' Ben P. Ellerbeck was granted a patent (U.S. No. 1,379,906 on 31 May 1921) for a retractable hardtop roof design for cars.<ref name="Gosden">{{cite magazine |last1=Gosden |first1=W.E. |title=The first Fliptop? Ellerbeck had a Better Idea |magazine=Special Interest Autos |date=April 1979 |pages=20–21}}</ref> He developed several scale models for the 1922 Automobile Body Builders Exhibition in New York City.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Creager |first1=Reid |title=Going Like 100: the convertible celebrates a milestone birthday, all started by an uncelebrated inventor |magazine=Inventors Digest |date=February 2022 |volume=38 |issue=2 |pages=14–16 |url= https://www.inventorsdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/INV-vol-38-02-February-2022Final.pdf |access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref> In 1922, he modified a 1919 [[Hudson Super Six]] roadster with his manually operated gear and spring "flip top" system.<ref name="Gosden"/> It allowed unimpeded use of the [[rumble seat]] even with the top down.<ref name="drivingtoday">{{cite web |title=Ford Skyliner |work=Driving Today |first=Jack |last=Nerad |url= http://www.drivingtoday.com/greatest_cars/ford_skyliner/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140221195452/http://www.drivingtoday.com/greatest_cars/ford_skyliner/index.html |archive-date=21 February 2014 |access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref> The design was not put into production.<ref name="retractableonline">{{cite web| title=History, Revival |work=Retractable Hardtop Online |url= http://retractable.free.fr/uk/index.html |access-date=3 February 2014}}</ref>

'''1931''' [[Georges Paulin]] made his idea public by applying for a patent on a detachable hard roof design that could ultimately be moved and stowed automatically in a car's rear luggage compartment, under a reverse-hinged rear-deck lid.<ref name=BuchananRed/>

'''1932''' The French patent system granted Paulin patent number 733.380 for his ''Eclipse'' roof system on 5 July 1932.<ref name=BuchananRed>{{cite web|url= http://www.redroom.com/articlestory/the-story-lancia-paulin-and-john-moir |last=Buchanan |first=James |title=The Story of Lancia, Paulin and John Moir |website=redroom.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110726032435/http://www.redroom.com/articlestory/the-story-lancia-paulin-and-john-moir |archive-date=26 July 2011 |access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref>

'''1934''' Paulin's ''Eclipse'' retractable hard roof <ref name="nyt">{{cite news| title = New Again: The Hideaway Hardtop |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Rob |last=Sass |date=10 December 2006 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/automobiles/10RETRACT.html?ex=1323406800&en=a440f0f4ff67f836&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss | access-date=6 March 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151029090916/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/automobiles/10RETRACT.html?ex=1323406800&en=a440f0f4ff67f836&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss |archive-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> was first presented on the [[Peugeot 401|Peugeot 401D Éclipse Décapotable]], a low convertible coupé.<ref name=AutoWeek>{{cite news |title=1935 Peugeot Model 401D Eclipse: The first retractable hardtop |website=autoweek.com |first=Brooks T. |last=Brierley |url= https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2119691/1935-peugeot-model-401d-eclipse-first-retractable-hardtop/ |date=17 June 2001 |accessdate=31 March 2021}}</ref><ref name=mainspot>{{cite web |title=From the Zero to the Eclipse |url= http://peugeot.mainspot.net/hist11.shtml |website=Peugeot.mainspot.net |access-date=31 March 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100117200913/http://peugeot.mainspot.net/hist11.shtml |archive-date=17 January 2010}}</ref> In 1933, Paulin showed his designs to premier coachbuilder [[Carrosserie Pourtout|Marcel Pourtout]], who hired him as lead designer, and in 1934 they equipped first a Peugeot 401D, followed by a 601C, with "Eclipse" roofs and bodywork, on chassis provided by [[Darl'mat|Emile Darl'mat]]. The same year, a [[Lancia Belna]], a French-built Lancia Augusta, was also built as an Eclipse.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa15/paris/lots/r105-1934-lancia-belna-eclipse-by-pourtout/181559 |title=1934 Lancia Belna Eclipse by Pourtout |access-date=9 June 2019}}</ref>

[[File:1938Peugeot402LE4Y IMG 7281.jpg|thumb|Factory [[Peugeot 402|Peugeot 402 Eclipse Decapotable]] (1938) ]]
'''1935''' Peugeot purchased Paulin's patent, and introduced the first factory production, power-operated, retractable hardtop in 1935, the [[Peugeot 402|"402BL Éclipse Décapotable"]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yN8DAAAAMBAJ&q=Popular+Science+1935+plane+%22Popular+Mechanics%22&pg=PA253 |title=Disappearing Top On Auto Worked By Push Button |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=February 1935 |page=253 |volume=63 |issue=2 |access-date=14 August 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=QdsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA43 |title=Latest Foreign Auto Has Disappearing Top |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=January 1936 |page=53 |volume=65 |issue=1 |access-date=14 August 2013 }}</ref> of which some 470 were built.<ref name="nyt"/> Pourtout build custom examples, designed by Paulin, on other makes including [[Delage]] and [[Panhard]] as well as the "Eclipse" coupé-convertibles based on the [[Peugeot 301]], [[Peugeot 401|401]], [[Peugeot 601|601]], [[Peugeot 302|302]], and [[Peugeot 402|402]].<ref name="nyt"/>

[[File:1941 Chrysler LeBaron Thunderbolt - rvl.jpg|thumb|1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt concept car]]
'''1941''' [[Chrysler]] introduced a retractable hardtop [[concept car]], the Chrysler Thunderbolt.<ref>{{cite web |author=((Auto Editors of ''Consumer Guide'')) |title=1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt Roadster |url= https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1941-chrysler-thunderbolt-roadster.htm |website=auto.howstuffworks.com |date=29 November 2007 |access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Vanderbilt Cup Races - Blog - Mystery Friday Foto #4 Solved: The 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt concept car with links to Tucker 1044 and 1937 Chrysler's Chrysler |url= https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_friday_foto_4_an_early_concept_car |website=vanderbiltcupraces.com |date=30 January 2023 |access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref>

'''1947''' American [[Playboy Automobile Company]] marketed one of the first series produced convertibles, with a retractable roof consisting of more than one section. Ninety-seven production models were made until the company's bankruptcy in 1951.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Radu |first1=Vlad |title=Remembering the Playboy, America's First Production Convertible With a Retractable Hardtop |url= https://www.autoevolution.com/news/remembering-the-playboy-america-s-first-production-convertible-with-a-retractable-hardtop-190494.html |work=autoevolution |date=6 June 2022 |access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref>

{{Multiple image |align=right |header= |total_width= 
| image1 = Tentoonstelling RAI. Wagen met dichte kap merk Playboy, Bestanddeelnr 902-7262.jpg
| width1 = {{#expr: (875 / 1167 * 220 * 1156 / 908) round 0}}
| caption1 =  |alt1 = 
| image2 = Tentoonstelling RAI. Wagen met open kap merk Playboy, Bestanddeelnr 902-7263.jpg
| width2 = 220
| caption2 = 
| footer = The 1948 Playboy car with its top in a closed and open configuration }}

'''1953''' [[Ford Motor Company]] spent an estimated [[United States dollar|US$]]2 million (US${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|2000000|1953}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}) to engineer a [[Continental Mark II]] with a servo-operated retractable roof. The concept was rejected for cost and marketing reasons.<ref name="drivingtoday"/> Engineering work was used by Ford for the retractable mechanism in their 1957 through 1959 flagship [[Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner]].

'''1955''' Brothers Ed and Jim Gaylord showed a prototype, called the [[Gaylord Gladiator]], at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, but the car failed to reach production.<ref>{{cite web| title=1950 Gaylord concept cars |website=auto.howstuffworks.com |author=((Auto Editors of ''Consumer Guide'')) |date=13 November 2007 |url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1950s-gaylord-concept-cars.htm |archive-url= http://web.archive.org/web/20210117132912/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1950s-gaylord-concept-cars.htm |archive-date=17 January 2021 |access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref>

'''1956''' After working for 4,000 hours and investing $100 in the whole car, Raymond P. Meyette built a one-piece power-operated hardtop convertible using a 1952 Nash Ambassador chassis.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Sand |first1=George X. |title=They told him it could not be built - so he built it himself: A Hardtop Convertible |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=December 1956 |volume=106 |issue=6 |pages=138–139 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=q-EDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Mechanics+after+four+years+of+trial+and+error+Raymond+P.+Meyette+hardtop+convertible&pg=PA138 |access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref>

[[File:1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner.JPG|thumb|1958 [[Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner]] with roof in mid folding action]]
'''1957''' [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] introduced the [[Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner|Fairlane 500 Skyliner]] in the United States. Further development of the 1953 Continental Mark II retractable proposal cost an estimated [[United States dollar|US$]]18 million (US${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|18000000|1957}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/ford-skyliner/ |first=Aaron |last=Severson |title=Raising the Roof: The Ford Skyliner 'Retrac' |date=26 April 2009 |work=Ate Up With Motor |access-date=9 December 2016}}</ref> The Skyliner was a [[halo car]] with little luggage space and was priced double the baseline Ford [[sedan (car)|sedan]]. A total of 48,394 were built from 1957 until 1959.<ref name="drivingtoday"/> Its mechanism contained ten power relays, ten [[limit switch]]es, four lock motors, three drive motors, eight circuit breakers, as well as {{convert|610|ft|m}} of electrical wire.<ref name="drivingtoday"/> It could raise or lower the top in about 40 seconds.  The retractable top was noted for its complexity and usual reliability in the pre-transistor era.<ref>{{cite book |last=Willson |first=Quentin |title=The Ultimate Classic Car Book |year=1995 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=0-7894-0159-2 |url-access=registration |url= https://archive.org/details/ultimateclassicc00quen }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=((Auto Editors of ''Consumer Guide'')) |url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1957-1959-ford-fairlane-skyliner.htm/printable |title=1957-1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner |website=auto.howstuffworks.com |date=20 July 2007 |access-date=14 August 2013 }}</ref> 

'''1989''' [[Toyota]] introduced a retractable hardtop, the [[Toyota Soarer#Z20 series (1986–1991)|MZ20 Soarer Aerocabin]]. The car featured an electric folding hardtop and was marketed as a two-seater with a cargo area behind the front seats. Production was 500 units.

'''1995''' The [[Mitsubishi GTO]] Spyder by ASC was marketed in the U.S.<ref name="retractableonline"/> The design was further popularized by such cars as the 1996 [[Mercedes-Benz SLK]].<ref name="nyt"/> and 2001 [[Peugeot 206|Peugeot 206 CC]].

'''2006''' Peugeot presented a concept four-door retractable hardtop convertible, the [[Peugeot 407 Macarena]].<ref name="Edmunds">{{cite web |title=¡Hey, Macarena! Heuliez Creates an Open-Top Peugeot 407 |work=Edmunds |date=28 January 2006 |url= http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109085 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061219010531/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId%3D109085 |archive-date=19 December 2006}}</ref> Produced by French coachbuilding specialist [[Heuliez]], the Macarena's top folded in about 30 seconds.<ref name="Edmunds"/> It has a reinforcing beam behind the front seats incorporating LCD screens into the crossmember for the rear passengers.<ref name="Edmunds"/>

== Construction ==
[[File:2008 BMW 320Ci Cabrio Schliessen 2.jpg|thumb|Closing of the retractable hardtop of a [[BMW 3 Series (E90)#Convertible (E93)|BMW 3-series (E93)]] ]]

Retractable hardtops are commonly made from between two and five sections of metal or plastic and often rely on complex dual-hinged [[Trunk (car)|trunk/boot]] lids that enable the trunk lid to both receive the retracting top from the front and also receive parcels or luggage from the rear. The trunk also often includes a divider mechanism to prevent the loading of luggage that would conflict with the operation of the hardtop.

=== Variations ===
* The [[Volkswagen Eos]] features a five-segment retractable roof where one section is an independently sliding transparent sunroof.<ref name="wsj"/>
* The [[Mercedes-Benz SL-Class|Mercedes SL]] hardtop features a glass section that rotates during retraction to provide a more compact "stack."
* The [[Mazda MX-5 (NC)|third-generation Mazda MX-5]] was available with an optional power retractable hardtop in place of the standard folding-textile soft-top. Compared to the regular soft-top, the hardtop weighed {{convert|77|lb|abbr=on}} more. It did not reduce cargo capacity.<ref name="autoweek.com">{{cite web|url= http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061009/FREE/61003001/1004|title=2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hardtop |access-date=6 March 2011 |website=autoweek.com |first=Mark |last=Vaughn |date=10 September 2006}}</ref> The hardtop roof was polycarbonate and manufactured by the German firm Webasto.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.caranddriver.com/news/2007-mazda-mx-5-miata-hardtop-car-news |title=2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata Hardtop |work=Car and Driver |date=1 September 2006 |access-date=28 June 2018}}</ref>
* The retractable hardtop used on the [[Chrysler Sebring]] (and its successor the [[Chrysler 200]]) was marketed alongside a soft-top. According to development engineer Dave Lauzun, the [[Karmann|Karmann-made]] tops were installed into identical body designs and used the same automatic tonneau cover, luggage divider, and luggage space.<ref name="youtube.com">{{cite web | title=2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible |first=Dave |last=Lauzun |website=Autonetwork.com |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiIEyCFR9Gg  |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/jiIEyCFR9Gg |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live| access-date=3 February 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The retractable version featured an underbody cross-brace not included in the softtop.

== Comparison with soft tops ==
The retractable hardtop's advantages include:
* More weatherly when the roof is raised
* More secure than fabric tops<ref name="wsj" /><ref name="automobilemag.com">{{cite magazine |url= http://www.automobilemag.com/features/great_drives/0908_luxury_hardtop_convertible_comparison/index.html |title=Great Drive: Luxury Hardtop Convertible Comparison |magazine=Automobile |date=August 2009 |access-date=14 August 2013 }}</ref>
* Increased [[Torsion (mechanics)|structural rigidity]]
* May enable consolidation/simplification of a manufacturer's car lineup; for example, the [[BMW Z4]] ([[BMW E89|E89]]) was offered only as a coupé-convertible (hardtop), compared to the preceding [[BMW E85|E85]] generation that had separate coupé and cabriolet (soft-top) variants.

The retractable hardtop's disadvantages include:
* Higher initial cost
* Increased mechanical complexity
* Potentially diminished passenger and trunk space compared to a soft-top convertible.<ref name="motortrend.com">{{cite magazine |first=Arthur |last=St. Antoine |url= http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/convertibles/112_1005_luxury_convertible_comparison/ |title=Luxury Convertible Comparison: 2010 Audi A5 vs 2010 BMW 335i vs 2009 Infiniti G37 vs 2010 Lexus IS 350 |magazine=Motor Trend |date=May 2010 |access-date=3 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url= http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2007-vw-eos-vs-audi-a4-bmw-328i-volvo-c70-saab-9-3-comparison-tests |title=2007 VW Eos vs. Audi A4, BMW 328i, Volvo C70, Saab 9-3 – Comparison Tests |website=caranddriver.com |date=June 2007 |first=Tony |last=Swan |access-date=3 February 2014}}</ref> 
* Higher weight and center of gravity than soft-top convertibles, potentially reducing [[automobile handling|handling]].<ref name="caranddriver.com">{{cite magazine |url= http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/10q1/2010_audi_a5_2.0t_quattro_vs._2010_bmw_328i_2009_infiniti_g37_2010_lexus_is350c-comparison_tests |first=Tony |last=Swan |title=2010 Audi A5 2.0T Quattro vs. 2010 BMW 328i, 2009 Infiniti G37, 2010 Lexus IS350C – Comparison Tests |magazine=Car and Driver |date=March 2010 |access-date=3 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="motortrend.com"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* Potential need for more than minimum clearance while operating the hardtop. For example, the [[Volvo C70]] requires {{convert|6.5|ft|m|0}} of vertical clearance during operation,<ref name="volvoownerdoc">{{cite web |title=2007 Volvo C70 |website=volvocars.com, C70 owner documentation, Page 93 |url= http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/2007/2007_C70/07c70_04.htm |access-date=3 February 2014}}</ref> the [[Cadillac XLR]] requires {{convert|6|ft|10+1/2|in|0|abbr=on}} of vertical clearance and the [[Mercedes SLK]]'s trunk lid extends rearward while lowering or lifting the top.

== List of retractable hardtop models ==
{{main|List of coupé convertibles}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed" style="font-size:90%; line-height:130%">
File:Mazda MX-5 hardtop.jpg|[[Mazda MX-5 (NC)|Mazda Miata Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT)]] c. 2007, with polycarbonate hardtop<ref name="autoweek.com"/>
File:Cadillac XLR 2006.jpg|[[Cadillac XLR]] c. 2007, aluminum hardtop made by a joint venture of [[Mercedes-Benz]] and [[Porsche]]<ref name="mtrend">{{cite magazine |title=2004 Cadillac XLR |magazine=Motor Trend |date=August 2002 |first=Jack |last=Keebler |url= http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/112_0208_cadxlr |access-date=6 March 2011}}</ref>
File:Daihatsu.copen.arp.750pix.jpg|[[Daihatsu Copen]] c. 2001, a retractable hardtop in the Japanese [[Kei car|Kei]] class
File:Paris 2006 - Ford Focus CC.JPG|[[Ford Focus (second generation, Europe)#Coupé-Cabriolet|Ford Focus CC]] c. 2006, its retractable hardtop final assembly by [[Pininfarina]]
File:Chevrolet SSR.jpg|[[Chevrolet SSR]] c. 2004, [[pickup truck]] retractable hardtop engineered by [[American Specialty Cars|ASC]]
File:Volkswagen Eos Front-view.JPG|[[Volkswagen Eos]] c. 2007, the five-segment top includes a sliding sunroof made by [[OASys (Automotive)|OASys]]
File:Opel_Astra_TwinTop_(H,_Facelift)_%E2%80%93_Heckansicht,_15._Mai_2011,_Wuppertal.jpg|[[Opel Astra]] Twintop (2005-2012), three-part roof stores in the upper half of the boot for luggage space below it
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

[[Category:Automotive styling features]]
[[Category:Automotive technologies]]
[[Category:Hardtop convertibles| ]]