Abstract: A convertible vehicle body has front rear retractable roof panels which fit behind a rear seat back and a power system for retracting the roof panels, the power system also providing a mechanism for forwardly inclining the rear seat when the roof panels are to be retracted. The vehicle body may also include a power-operated rear quarter window and the power system for retracting the same in sequence with the roof panels.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle body structure having a rigid front roof panel covering the front top portion of the passenger compartment and a rear roof panel covering the rear portion of the passenger compartment. The front roof panel is supported by an inverted U-shaped swingable pillar and the rear roof panel is mounted on the rear body structure through mounting arms. The front and rear roof panels are retracted in the rear body section in a fore-and-aft jaxtaposed relationship.

Abstract: An arrangement for concealing a windshild wiper of an automobile comprises a structural portion for forming a hollow space for receiving the windshield wiper in a body of the automobile, a cover structure including a pair of plate members each provided for covering the hollow space and mounted on the body to be rotatable and movable up and down, a cover support mechanism for supporting the cover structure so as to cause the plate members selectively to be placed at respective first operating positions with their respective outer surfraces succeeding smoothly to an outer surface of an exterior panel member, such as a hood, and extending contiguously for closing the hollow space containing the windshield wiper and to be moved to get partially under the exterior panel member to be placed at respective second operating positions for opening the hollow space, and a driving device for driving the cover structure through the cover support mechanism to keep the plate members in the respective first operating position

Abstract: A rear windowpane wiper stowage system for an automobile comprises a rear windowpane, a rear spoiler secured to an automobile rear body structure in the vicinity of the rear windowpane, a rear wiper assembly having a wiper blade supported for movement back and forth across the windowpane and normally retained at a home position when the rear wiper assembly is not in use, a lid member hingedly mounted on the rear spoiler for movement between opened and closed positions for opening and closing the hatch, respectively, and a drive mechanism for driving the lid member from the closed position towards the opened position and also from the opened position towards the closed position when the rear wiper assembly is used and not used, respectively. The rear spoiler has a hollow defined in at least a portion thereof and also has a hatch defined therein in communication with the hollow in the vicinity of the rear windowpane.

Abstract: An open-top vehicle body structure including a foldable hood and a linkage for extending and folding the hood. At each side, a reversible motor is provided for actuating the linkage. In order to synchronize the operation of the motors at the respective sides, a connecting rod or flexible shaft is provided and connects together the output shafts of the motor. The linkage includes a swingable pillar of an inverted U-shape having opposite leg portions mounted on the body section for swinging movement about a transverse extending horizontal axis. The hood is connected at a front edge portion to the swingable pillar and at a rear edge portion to a part of the body located rearwardly of the swingable pillar. A rigid roof panel is removably mounted between a swingable pillar and a front windshield. The rotation of the motors produces a swingable movement of the pillar.

Abstract: A vehicle door structure including a door panel assembly made of an outer panel of a plastic material and an inner panel of a plastic material which are connected together at front, rear and lower edge portions. A reinforcement frame is provided in the door panel assembly and includes a front member extending substantially along the front edge portion of the door panel assembly, a rear member extending substantially along the rear edge portion of the door panel assembly and a longitudinal member extending between the front and rear members. The longitudinal member is connected with the front member through a gusset plate rigidly so that a sideward rigidity of the door structure can be ensured.