Hardtop Convertibles - What Are You Missing?
A convertible is a sporty car – a status symbol and a dream car. But very few are lucky enough to drive one. Yes – because these are expensive automobiles. A convertible is a type of car designed for its roof to retract and fold away. There are two types of roofs – the soft top and the hardtop convertibles. The number of passengers for both the soft and hardtop convertibles is very limited – usually two but some can accommodate four.
Brands Of Hardtop Convertibles
These cars are marketed using different names. You have to be acquainted with the terms used in order not to be confused. When you hear the name cabriolet, cabrio or spyder, these are the soft – top variations. Because of the body style of the two-seater soft-tops they are called roadster. Hardtops are simply called retractable hardtops but some other names have also been attached such as coupe, cabriolet and coupe convertible. Two seater of the retractable hardtop is called coupe roadster or roadster coupe.
The designs of the roofs are designed with different styles. But common to all, the roof is affixed to the body. The attachment is through hinges that allow for the roof to recess and be concealed behind the rear seats or for some models – to the trunk. Recession of the roof can be manual or automatic. Automatic operation is either through the use of hydraulic and electrical actuators.
Materials For Hardtop Convertibles
Hardtops can be made of different materials – aluminum, steel or plastic and can vary from two to five rigid sections with complex trunk lids. The construction of the retractable top is very complex. From the front, the trunk lid will receive the retractable top to be stored in the trunk. At the same time, this area will be the luggage compartment. The mechanism will prevent luggage loading in order not to hinder the retraction of the hardtop.
Different manufacturers have their unique construction variation. A Mercedes Benz car has a glass section which is rotating at retraction. A Volkswagen is equipped with five segments with one of them being a sunroof – sliding and transparent. The Cadillac has aluminum hardtop that would require a vertical clearance for retraction. The Volvo has a button to activate the capability of the hardtop to retract in the trunk.
Other manufacturers of the hardtop convertibles are Mazda with a hardtop made of polycarbonate, Opel Astra with three-piece retractable hardtop and Daihatsu with the ultra compact class. Chrysler has manufactured and marketed two types – the soft and hardtops.
Hardtop convertibles are expensive cars yet many dream to be able to drive one. With the roof retracted, every body will be impressed and aspire to be in the driver’s seat. These cars are not flawless – they have their own disadvantages. But any car of this category will always be dream come true to any automotive addict.