Abstract: An operating mechanism for operating a sliding and tilting roof panel includes an electric motor driving the panel through a cable. A rack and a pinion are arranged so that the rack will be pushed by the cable and the pinion will be rotated by the rack. A switch operating member engages with the pinion so as to be moved according to the rotation of the pinion. Additionally, first and second limit switches are operated by the switch operating member. The first limit switch is operated to cut off the actuation of the motor when the roof is slid to its fully closed position, and the second limit switch is operated to cut off the actuation of the motor when the roof is tilted to its fully closed position, so that the roof is automatically stopped at its fully closed position when the roof is slid or tilted. The first and second limit switches are so arranged that just when the first limit switch starts to be operated the second limit switch takes a position just short of operation.