Abstract: A hardtop convertible roof for a vehicle includes rigid panels that are each retractable and at least two of the panels are directly connected to fixed pivots and rotate about the fixed pivots when being retracted. One of the panels can be directly connected to a fixed pivot that is located between wheel housings on the vehicle. The rearmost roof section can be directly connected to a fixed pivot and rotate rearwardly about the fixed pivot less than about 90° when moving from the raised to stowed position. At least four roof sections can be used wherein one of the roof sections is directly connected to a fixed pivot about which it rotates when moving between the raised and stowed positions.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle having a long roof is provided which includes first through third roofs, supported by the vehicle body, movable between a use position at which the roofs cover the upper part of a vehicle interior R and a non-use position at which the roofs are held in a housing unit to the rear of a body so that the upper part of the vehicle interior R is open. A rear door is supported by the body so as to rotatably open and close between a closed position and an open position further to the rear of the closed position, wherein when the first through third roofs are in non-use position, the roofs are accommodated in the housing unit, piled up one top of the other in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle includes a rigid moveable roof part with an outer surface and an inner surface, a linkage moveable relative to the roof part during an opening movement of the convertible top, and a cover including a flexible sheet-like element. The linkage is disposed between the outer surface of the roof part and the cover in a closed state of the convertible top. The cover is moveable away from the roof part during the opening movement of the convertible top so as to form a space for the linkage.

Abstract: A cabriolet vehicle with a convertible top (12), a stowage space (58) which uses part of the trunk space (60), and a convertible top hatch (30) formed as part of the trunk lid (34), in which the convertible top (12) can be moved between a closed position in which it covers the passenger compartment (14), and a stowage position in which it is held as a folded package in the stowage space (58) which is covered by the convertible top hatch (30). The position of the convertible top (12) can be adjusted upward into an intermediate position by moving the convertible top hatch (30). In the intermediate position, the folded package extends out of the stowage space (58), for providing increased access to the trunk space. The convertible top hatch (30) can be pivoted around a first pivoting device (40, 42, 44) for opening of the stowage space, and the trunk lid (34) can be pivoted around a second pivoting device (38) independently of the convertible top hatch (30) for opening the trunk (60).

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle, comprising a rigid front roof element and a rigid rear roof element having a rear window, said elements being movable between a position in which these elements extend above the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a position in which said elements are folded one on top of the other in the rear luggage compartment of the vehicle, wherein the front element is fixed so as to be articulated with the rear element along a first axis contained between the adjacent edges of the two elements and situated substantially in the continuation of their lower surface, the rear element fixed so as to be articulated with the bodywork along a second axis close to the lower rear edge of this rear element, the movement of the two roof elements between the aforementioned two positions being controlled by a pivoting arm, the front end of which is fixed so as to be articulated with the front element along a third axis situated in front of the first axis, the rear end of said control arm being

Abstract: In a locking arrangement for a hardtop vehicle roof, which is movable between open and closed positions and includes at least front and rear roof parts, which, in the closed position of the vehicle roof, are disposed behind one another, two locking structures with pivotal locking hooks are supported by support plates on the front roof part for engaging locking pins mounted on a windshield frame and, respectively, the rear roof part and are operable by an operating mechanism so as to pivot toward each other for engaging the locking pins and pulling the roof into firm engagement with the windshield frame, and, at the same time, the front and rear roof parts into firm engagement with each other.

Abstract: A stowage space cover of a convertible with a roof (2) which can be opened and lowered into a rear stowage space (3), the stowage space cover (8) containing two elements (9, 10) which are joined to one another, the first element (9) being pivotally supported on the front on the body by means of a pivot bearing (13, 14) so as to pivot up at its rear edge (20), the second element (10) being pivotally supported on the first element (9) so that its front edge (19) can be pivoted up out of its closed position, in which it covers a recess of the first element (9) for stowing of the roof, and can be pivoted up jointly with the first element (9) as the trunk lid. To improve the sequence of movements of the cover, the pivoting support (13, 14) of the first element (9) forms a movable pivoting axis.

Abstract: In a vehicle roof which is movable between a closed position and a storage position in a rear storage compartment of a vehicle comprising a rear cover which is pivotally supported such that it can be raised at the rear end thereof from a closed position, in which it covers the storage compartment, to a loading position, in which the rear end of the rear cover is raised, the vehicle roof stored in the rear storage compartment can be raised independently of the rear cover and can be locked with the rear cover in the raised position, in which access to the rear trunk is facilitated.

Abstract: A folding top for a convertible vehicle includes a rear shell component, at least one front shell component, and a central shell component. The at least one front shell component, the central shell component and the rear shell component are able to be arranged as a top over an interior of the convertible vehicle in a closed condition. The at least one front shell component and the central shell component are able to be deposited in a rear area of the convertible vehicle using a first positive control mechanism. The rear shell component can be deposited in the rear area of the convertible vehicle using a second positive control mechanism. The rear shell component is mounted on a rear element that at least partially covers the rear area of the convertible vehicle. In an open condition of the top, the rear element at least partially covers the rear shell component.

Abstract: In a foldable vehicle roof for a convertible vehicle with an operating mechanism including spaced control arms pivotally supported on the vehicle body for moving the vehicle roof between a closed position, in which an interior vehicle space is covered, and an open position, and the vehicle roof includes a rear roof part and a roof part disposed in front of, and adjacent, the rear roof part, the rear roof part is biased in the closed position of the vehicle roof against the vehicle body by way of clamping means engaging one of the control arms with the rear roof part.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle with an upright rear end, such as a station wagon, a van or an SUV, having a rear loading space with a roof extending over the rear loading space to the upright rear end of the vehicle and a loading opening at the rear end extending from the vehicle floor up to the vehicle roof, the roof includes a rear roof part with a pivotal support at the front end thereof so that it can be tilted upwardly to facilitate access to the loading space and a drive mechanism is provided for operating the rear roof part including a releasable coupling permitting uncoupling of the rear roof part from the pivotal support for transferring the rear roof part into an upright position in the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle, comprising a front roof element, an intermediate roof element and a rear roof element. These three elements can move between positions in which they cover the vehicle cabin, to ones in which they horizontally cover the rear boot of the vehicle. Linkages are provided to move these three elements from one set of positions to the other.

Abstract: In a folding vehicle roof, particularly for passenger cars, comprising roof parts of which one forms a support for an adjacent follower roof part, the support roof part is supported on the vehicle body, and the follower roof part is supported on the support roof part each by a four-link operating mechanism forming, with the support roof part, a connecting linkage in the form of a parallelogram having connecting points to four link operating mechanisms defined by corner points of congruent essentially rectangular connecting triangles.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof including two rigid roof parts which are movable between a closed position in which they cover an interior vehicle space and an open position in which the roof parts are deposited in a storage compartment, an operating mechanism is provided which comprises a main pivot arm, which is pivotally supported on the vehicle body and a common carrier, which is supported on the main pivot arm by an operating structure which permits the common carrier to move relative to the main pivot arm and the rigid roof parts are supported on the common carrier such that they are movable together with the common carrier relative to the main pivot arm.

Abstract: In a cabriolet motor vehicle (10) with a foldable roof, especially a foldable hardtop (12), with a rigid rear window (18) which is movable between a closed position in which it covers the vehicle interior, and a stowage position in which it is held in the stowage space (54) in the vehicle (10), the hardtop (12) has a front roof part (14) which can be connected to a transverse roof support (20) which borders the windshield and a rear roof part (16) which can be moved relative to it and which is coupled to it. Furthermore, the rear window (18) is made on a rear window element (18) which can be moved relative to the vehicle body and relative to the rear roof part (16).

Abstract: The vehicle (2) has a partition wall (26) with a generally C-shaped longitudinal section that is situated in front of a volume (V3) swept by the rear roof portion (4). The wall (26) extends from the front bottom zone (13) of the trunk (16), firstly rearwards, then upwards, and then at least in part forwards so as to bear against the top stiffening beam (50). The partition wall (26) extends between two side walls (27) to which it is fixed so as to form a receptacle (51) defining a useful central first volume (V1a) that is accessible from inside the passenger space (25).

Abstract: A convertible roof system includes a front roof section, a rear roof section, an automatically power actuator and a linkage mechanism. In another aspect of the present invention, the front and/or rear roof sections are rigid, hard-top roofs. A further aspect of the present invention provides that the outside surfaces of the roofs have a generally vertical orientation when in their open and retracted positions.

Abstract: A lowerable motor vehicle roof with two rigid roof elements (4, 6) which are located in succession in the closed state. The first roof element (4) can be moved via a driving connecting rod mechanism (10), which is made as a double rocker and which engages the sides of the front roof element, to the rear into a stowed position which is lowered in the convertible top compartment (14). The rear roof element (6) is coupled to the front roof element (4) via a connecting rod (28) which is connected to the connecting rod mechanism (10) and is guided on it via a sliding guide (34, 32) such that the rear roof element (6), when the front roof element (4) is moved, first, travels into a position which overlaps it and is then entrained into the stowed position. The closing of the vehicle roof has the reverse sequence of motions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle retractable roof comprising three rigid roof elements (1, 2, 3) mobile between a position wherein they cover the vehicle passenger compartment (4) and a position wherein, they are stowed inside the vehicle rear deck (5), the front element (1) being capable of sliding relative to the intermediate element (2) and the latter being capable of sliding relative to the rear element (3) through pins (6, 7; 8, 9) borne by the front element (1) and by the intermediate element (3) engaged in slide rails (10, 11; 12, 13) extending along the intermediate (2) and rear (3) elements. The invention is characterised in that the displacement of the rear element (3) towards the rear deck (5) is controlled by a pivoting arm (14) articulated a fixed point (15) of the vehicle body and articulated to said rear element (3) and by a slide rail (17) extending inside the rear deck (5) wherein is engaged a pin (18) integral with the rear part of the rear element (3).

Abstract: A hardtop convertible roof apparatus is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, rigid, hardtop front and/or rear roof sections are employed. A further aspect of the present invention provides a header latch assembly capable of conveniently and reliably latching the front roof section to a front header. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a panel-to-panel latch assembly is provided that selectively couples the front roof section to the rear roof section in response to the latching of the front roof section to the front header.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof with rigid roof parts movable between a closed position in which the roof parts are disposed behind one another on a vehicle body to cover an interior vehicle space and a storage position in which they are disposed in a storage compartment behind the interior vehicle space, each of the roof parts is supported individually on the vehicle body by an operating mechanism by which it is movable between the closed and the storage position while remaining in the same orientation which it has in its closed position, the front roof parts being disposed in the storage compartment below the rear roof part.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle has three rigid roof sections. A plurality of links and levers connect to the three roof sections and control and guide the three roof sections in an optimal manner as they move from a closure position covering a compartment of the vehicle to a storage position in a rear boot of the vehicle.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle has three rigid roof sections. A plurality of links and levers connect the three roof sections. The links and levers along with a slide on at least one roof section control and guide the three roof sections in an optimal manner as they move from a closure position covering a cabin of the vehicle to a storage position in a rear boot of the vehicle. The dimensions of the roof sections and boot allow the roof sections to fit into the boot.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle has three rigid roof sections. A plurality of links and levers connect to the three roof sections and control and guide the three roof sections in an optimal manner as they move from a closure position covering a compartment of the vehicle to a storage position in a rear boot of the vehicle. The roof section and boot dimensions allow the roof sections to fit into the boot.

Abstract: In a roof storage compartment cover of a vehicle, particularly for passenger cars, which have a roof that is movable between a closed position in which the roof covers an interior vehicle space and an open position in which the roof is deposited in a storage compartment behind the interior vehicle space, the storage compartment has a cover including a front cover part and a rear cover part which are supported by a support console and can be moved by a support mechanism out of the way to provide a passage for transferring the roof into and out of the storage compartment, the rear cover part being pivoted below the front cover part and being locked therein by pivoting the support console employing the roof operating mechanisms.

Abstract: A convertible roof for an automotive vehicle is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, a retraction mechanism couples first, second and third roof sections to a vehicle. Another aspect of the present invention employs a flexible cable interconnecting a rear linkage with a forward pivot assembly to pivot the first roof section relative to the second roof section. Another aspect of the present invention provides that the three roof sections are substantially horizontally oriented in a stowed position.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof including two rigid roof parts which are movable between a closed position in which they cover an interior vehicle space and an open position in which the roof parts are deposited in a storage compartment, an operating mechanism is provided which comprises a main pivot arm, which is pivotally supported on the vehicle body and a common carrier, which is supported on the main pivot arm by an operating structure which permits the common carrier to move relative to the main pivot arm and the rigid roof parts are supported on the common carrier such that they are movable together with the common carrier relative to the main pivot arm.

Abstract: In a removable vehicle roof supported by way of an operating mechanism on a vehicle body for movement between a closed position, in which the vehicle roof covers an interior vehicle space and a storage position in which the roof is deposited in a vehicle storage compartment, a spring element is supported on the vehicle body and connected to the roof operating mechanism in such a way as to bias the operating mechanism in each of the two end positions of the roof in a direction toward the other end position so as to facilitate movement of the vehicle roof out of each end position.

Abstract: The vehicle (2) has a partition wall (26) with a generally C-shaped longitudinal section that is situated in front of a volume (V3) swept by the rear roof portion (4). The wall (26) extends from the front bottom zone (13) of the trunk (16), firstly rearwards, then upwards, and then at least in part forwards so as to bear against the top stiffening beam (50). The partition wall (26) extends between two side walls (27) to which it is fixed so as to form a receptacle (51) defining a useful central first volume (V1a) that is accessible from inside the passenger space (25).

Abstract: A convertible vehicle (1) with a roof (4) consisting of at least two parts, comprising a rear roof part (6) and a roof part (5) which is in the forward position when the roof is closed, where, when the roof is open, the rear roof part (6) is essentially vertical and the roof part (5) in the forward position with respect to the direction of travel (F) is essentially parallel to the rear part, is designed in such a way that a common drive (14), one of which is on each side of the vehicle, is used to move both the rear roof part (6) and the roof part (5) in front to open and close the roof (4).

Abstract: A retractable hardtop for use with a vehicle includes a rear section pivotally coupled to the vehicle and a front section pivotally coupled to the rear section for movement of the hardtop between an extended position defining a roof over a passenger compartment in the vehicle and a retracted position at least partially stowed in a storage compartment. A balance link extends between one end pivotally coupled to the vehicle and an opposite end pivotally coupled to the front panel. A center panel opening is defined between the front and rear panels. A center panel is operatively coupled to the balance link for movement in and out of the center panel opening during movement of the hardtop between the extended and retracted positions, respectively.

Abstract: The retractable roof for a vehicle comprises several rigid roof elements (1, 2, 3), able to move between a position in which they cover the passenger compartment (4) of the vehicle and a position in which they are stored inside the rear boot of the vehicle, the roof elements (1, 2, 3) being, when they cover the passenger compartment (4), connected to each other and to the front and rear parts of the bodywork by locks controlled by rods (7) extending inside the roof elements, driven in rotation by an electric motor (8) housed in a rear roof element.

Abstract: A retractable hard top for convertibles, in particular for four-seated convertibles, includes, sequentially, a first, front section, a second section, a third section and a fourth, rear section. Each section has a front, first edge portion and a rear, second edge portion. The first and the second sections substantially form the roof ceiling in the closed position of the hard top, while the third section forms the C-pillar and includes the backlite. The sections are pivotally connected by a linkage which compactly folds the top for storage in a storage compartment. All three sections are inverted and nest within one another, with their respective first edge portions being positioned in the longitudinal vehicle direction behind the second edge portions.

Abstract: A hardtop convertible roof for a vehicle includes rigid panels that are each retractable and at least two of the panels are directly connected to fixed pivots and rotate about the fixed pivots when being retracted. One of the panels can be directly connected to a fixed pivot that is located between wheel housings on the vehicle. The rearmost roof section can be directly connected to a fixed pivot and rotate rearwardly about the fixed pivot less than about 90° when moving from the raised to stowed position. At least four roof sections can be used wherein one of the roof sections is directly connected to a fixed pivot about which it rotates when moving between the raised and stowed positions.

Abstract: In a vehicle roof which is movable between a closed position, in which the roof covers an interior vehicle space, and an open position and wherein the roof part includes a locking bolt for engagement with an adjacent vehicle part when the roof is in a closed position, the roof part and the adjacent vehicle part each has a guide tube incorporated therein and the locking bolt is movably supported in one of the adjacent guide tubes and, upon closing of the vehicle roof, is insertable into the adjacent guide tube and lockable thereto so that the guide tubes and the locking bolt form a continuous tube structure with a common axis when the vehicle roof is in the closed position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle retractable roof, comprising front (1), intermediate (2) and rear (3) roof elements. The displacement of the rear element (3) towards the rear deck is controlled by at least an arm (6) articulated to the vehicle chassis and to the rear element (3). The rear element (3) is linked to the intermediate element (2) through two levers (9, 10) forming a deformable quadrilateral. The intermediate element (2) is linked to the front element (1) through two other levers (15, 16) forming a deformable quadrilateral. The arm (16) is linked in articulation to one (10) of the two levers linking the rear (3) and intermediate (2) elements, through a hinge link (21). The other lever (9) linking the rear (3) and intermediate (2) elements is linked to one (16) of the levers linking the intermediate (2) and front (1) elements through a hinge link (24).

Abstract: The invention concerns a roof retractable into the rear deck (5) of a vehicle. The retractable roof includes a front roof element (3) and a rear roof element (1) linked together by an intermediate element (2). Displacement of the elements (1, 2, 3) is controlled by a first mechanism for controlling and guiding the displacement of the rear element (1) towards a stowed position wherein the element (1) extends substantially horizontally to the upper part of the rear deck (5); the first mechanism co-operating with a second mechanism for controlling the lifting of the intermediate element (2) relative to the rear element (1), then for superposing the intermediate element (2) above the rear element in the rear deck (5); the second mechanism co-operating with a third mechanism for controlling the pivoting downwards of the front element (3) during its movement towards the rear deck (6) up to a position wherein the element extends substantially vertically to the front of the rear deck (5).

Abstract: In a vehicle roof support and operating arrangement by which a vehicle roof top can be moved between closed and open positions while supported on a component carrier which also supports a roof top operating mechanism and which is connected to the vehicle body, the component carrier includes a front transverse frame member, a rear transverse frame member and two side frame members extending between, and interconnecting, the front and rear transverse frame members so as to form a closed rigid support frame reinforcing the vehicle body.

Abstract: A modular bulkhead assembly is provided for a convertible roof system for an automobile. The convertible roof system is mounted to the bulkhead or wall member including left and right linkage assemblies, an electronic control unit, and a hydraulic control system. The bulkhead module can then be assembled into a vehicle as a modular unit. The electronic control unit can then be connected to the vehicle power supply by connection of wire harnesses from the electrical control unit.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a front first roof part (3) and a following second roof part (4) which can be displaced between a closed position which covers the motor vehicle interior and a lowered position in a rear roof storage space (10) which exposes the motor vehicle interior. The front roof part (3) is movably supported by a laterally arranged multiple hinge linkage (14, 15) on the second roof part (4) and is raisable over the second roof part (4) when being lowered. In order to devise a stable and still space-saving support for the front roof part (3), the rear connecting rod (15) of the multiple hinge linkage (14, 15) is supported on the second roof part (4) to be able to pivot around a pivot axis (29) which is set back from its front edge (22) and swings upward out of the roof surface (23) of the second roof part (4) when the roof (1) is being lowered.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof comprising a front, an intermediate and a rear roof part supported on a vehicle body so as to be movable between a closed position, in which the roof parts cover an interior vehicle space, and an open position, in which the roof parts are deposited in a storage compartment behind the interior vehicle space, wherein the rear roof part is pivotally supported on the vehicle body, the front roof part is movable under the intermediate roof part in parallel relationship therewith and the intermediate roof part is supported so as to be movable together with the front roof part into the storage compartment onto the rear roof part already pivoted into the storage compartment so as to form in the storage compartment a roof part packet with the rear roof part disposed at the bottom with its outer surface facing downwardly and the intermediate roof part disposed on top of the packet and the front roof parts is disposed between the rear and intermediate roof parts with the top surfaces of both th

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof which is movable between a closed position, in which it covers a vehicle interior, and a storage position and which includes rigid roof shells which, in the closed position, are disposed end to end adjacent one another, at least one of the roof shells includes a center section and side sections which are pivotally connected to the center section and the center sections are displaced in the storage position of the roof shells upwardly relative to the respective side sections so as to be received within one of the roof shells thereby to reduce the volume required for the storage of the roof shells in the storage position thereof.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof including rigid front intermediate and rear roof parts, which are movable between a closed position, in which the roof parts are arranged, in the longitudinal vehicle direction, one after the other so as to cover an interior of a vehicle body, and a storage position, in which the roof parts are disposed in a rear roof storage compartment which is provided with a compartment lid pivotally supported on the vehicle body, so that it can be raised for the transfer of the rigid roof parts between their closed positions and their positions in the roof storage compartment, the rear roof part is supported on the roof storage compartment lid, the intermediate roof part is supported directly on the vehicle body and the front part is supported on the intermediate roof part in such a way that in the storage compartment all the roof parts are disposed in the same orientation on top of one another.

Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle includes a rear top part attached pivotably to the convertible vehicle and a front, movably mounted top part. In a closed state of the top, the front top part and the rear top part are disposed over the convertible vehicle in a closed state of the top. In an open state of the top, the front top part and the rear top part are disposed behind front seats of the convertible vehicle with the front top part disposed below the rear top part.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a front roof part (3), a middle roof part (4) and a rear roof part (5), which can be moved between a closed position which covers the motor vehicle interior and a lowered position in a rear convertible top compartment (10) which exposes the motor vehicle interior, the middle roof part (4) being pivotally supported via a first connecting rod arrangement (12, 13) on the body and the front roof part (3) being movably supported by a second connecting rod arrangement (14, 15) on the middle roof part (4) and being displaced over the middle roof part (4) during lowering. For space-saving lowering of the roof parts, it is provided that the rear roof part (5) is pivotally supported by a third connecting rod arrangement (16, 17) on the middle roof part (4), and when the roof (1) is lowered, is displaced over the middle roof part (3 or 4) so that the three roof parts (3, 4, 5) are deposited on top of one another in an identically cambered orientation.

Abstract: A retractable hard top for convertibles, in particular for four-seated convertibles, includes, sequentially, a first, front section, a second section, a third section and a fourth, rear section. Each section has a front, first edge portion and a rear, second edge portion The first and the second sections substantially form the roof ceiling in the closed position of the hard top, while the third section forms the C-pillar and is open rearwardly, and the fourth section includes the backlite and closes the opening in the third section. The sections are pivotally connected by a linkage which compactly folds the top for storage in a storage compartment. All four sections are inverted and nest within one another, with their respective first edge portions being positioned in the longitudinal vehicle direction behind the second edge portions.

Abstract: A convertible roof for an automotive vehicle is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, a convertible roof includes first, second and third roof sections. At least one of the roof sections rotates over one hundred and eighty degrees when moving from a raised position to a stowed position. Another aspect of the present invention employs a balance link interconnecting the second roof section and the vehicle. Another aspect of the present invention provides that a substantial portion of one of the roof sections is positioned below a top of a vehicle wheel well.

Abstract: A vehicle with a folding hard roof is provided with a rear passenger space between front and rear seats that is suitably expanded by turning a rear seatback forward down and then moving the rear seatback backward so as to receive the folding hard roof retracted therein.

Abstract: A convertible roof for an automotive vehicle is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, a convertible roof includes first, second and third roof sections. At least one of the roof sections rotates over one hundred and eighty degrees when moving from a raised position to a stowed position. Another aspect of the present invention employs a balance link interconnecting the second roof section and the vehicle. Another aspect of the present invention provides that a substantial portion of one of the roof sections is positioned below a top of a vehicle wheel well.

Abstract: The system comprises at least a first front roof element hinged relative to the rear roof element and a controller for pivoting of the first front roof element relative to the rear roof element. A guide arrangement for guiding the rear roof element and the controller for controlling the first front roof element are arranged in such a manner as to guide the first front roof element along a predetermined path to a retracted position in which the first front roof element is stowed in a substantially vertical position behind the back seat of the vehicle.