Abstract: A locking device in an apparatus for opening and closing the roof of a vehicle includes a bracket secured to the vehicle body and having a pair of hooks, a handle pivotally mounted on a door receivable within an opening formed in the roof, links pivotally mounted on the handle, and a shaft unit secured to one ends of the links and having a pair of plungers engageable with the hooks to couple the handle to the bracket. The plungers can be pushed inwardly on the shaft unit against the force of a compression spring to permit the plungers to be disengaged from the hooks, thereby uncoupling the handle from the bracket. This enables the door to be swung open.