Construction

• The Volkswagen Eos features a five-segment retractable roof where one section is itself an independently sliding transparent sunroof.
• The Mercedes SL hardtop features a glass section that rotates during retraction to provide a more compact "stack."
• The Mazda MX-5 retractable hardtop is manufactured by the German firm Webasto and is marketed alongside a largely identical folding-textile convertible, with an increase of 77lbs The retractable does feature an underbody cross-brace not included in the softop.
• The Volvo C70, it's retractable hardtop manufactured by Webasto and a button to power-activate the raising of the folded top stack within the trunk to access cargo below. The Cadillac XLR requires 6'-10½" of vertical clearance.
• The retractable hardtop may, such as in the case of the Mercedes SLK, require additional rear clearance behind the car during operation of the top, the trunklid extending rearward while retracting or raising the top.

The retractable hardtop relies on battery power, and in the event of battery failure, can leave a retracted roof vulnerable to a downpour. Volvo includes an emergency roof cover with each Volvo C70. — but never saw production. 1935 Peugeot introduced the first production, power-operated retractable hardtop in 1935, the 402 Éclipse Décapotable, Though successful, the concept was rejected for marketing reasons. Produced by French coachbuilding specialist Heuliez, the Macarena's top can be folded in 60 seconds, and to incorporated a steel reinforcing beam behind the front seats, incorporates LCD screens for the rear passengers into the crossmember. » :View: 1957 TV ad for the Ford Skyliner featuring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.


   :View: Peugeot 407 Macarena, with top retracting. » :View: Photographs of a 1938 Peugeot 402 Éclipse Décapotable


   :View: time lapse photograph of Mercedes SLK, with top retracting » :View: Sales brochure of the 1995 Mitsubishi Spyder

List of retractable hardtop models

Early Models

Gaylord (1956)

Later Models