Abstract: A retractable Targa roof system having a windshield header, a pair of side pillars, a rollbar, a backlight, a single pivoting roof panel and at least one pivot-carrying buttress. The rigid roof panel has at least one fixedly attached swing arm independent of the side pillars and pivotally articulated to said buttress. The buttress pivot is positioned between the bases of the side pillars in transverse direction and substantially above the belt line of the vehicle. Various arrangements of the system allow for a rearward rotary motion to bring the roof panel into either externally retracted position above a forward-hinged deck lid, or internally retracted position under a rear-hinged deck lid.