Abstract: A vehicle body structure having a passenger compartment and a roof structure covering the passenger compartment, the roof structure including a rigid front roof panel and a rigid rear roof panel which are connected together through a hinge mechanism. The rear roof panel is pivotably mounted on the rear body for swinging movement about a swinging axis. A linkage is provided so that when the rear roof panel is moved from an extended position where the roof structure covers the top portion of the passenger compartment to a retracted position wherein the roof panels are retracted into the rear body section, the front roof panel is folded over the rear roof panel with the inside of the front roof panel faced to the inside of the rear roof panel.

Abstract: A tensioning arrangement for a top cover of a motor vehicle includes a tensioning device arranged in loop-shaped longitudinal edges of the top cover which, on the one hand, is connected with a forward, transversely extending frame part and on the other with a pivotal support of the foldable top. In order to be able to compensate relatively great length changes of the top cover conditioned on weather and/or manufacture, the tensioning device of the tensioning arrangement cooperates at its one end with a tensioning spring and at its other end with a spring-loaded pivot lever, whereby a clamping bolt arranged at the pivot lever is supported in a closing position of the foldable top at a free end of a lateral longitudinal girder of the foldable top and tensions the tension spring by way of the tensioning device.

Abstract: An open top automobile body including a rigid roof panel extending between the front windshield section and a hoop member of a substantially inverted U-shape mounted at the opposite leg portions to the rear fenders for fore-and-aft swinging movements between an erected position and a retracted position. A foldable hood is provided between the hoop member and the rear body section to provide a rear windshield section. The roof panel is connected at the rear edge through a hinge mechanism with the hoop member so that the roof panel can be retracted into the rear body section together with the hoop member. A locking member prevents a relative rotation of two links of the hinge mechanism with respect to each other when the hoop member is in the erected position and the roof panel is placed between the front windshield and the hoop member.

Abstract: A motor vehicle in conjunction with a removable hard top connected to a frame cage. The trunk lid of the vehicle is rearwardly hinged, such that it may be rasied from its front portion towards the rear of the vehicle. While the trunk lid is raised, the top may be rotated about the frame cage so that it rests within the trunk of the vehicle.

Abstract: A folding frame for convertible top motor vehicles which stows compactly so as to minimize loss of passenger compartment space, the frame formed by a pair of pillar members pivotally anchored in body spaces alongside the rear passenger compartment, each pillar member having a unitary side rail pivotally connected to its upper end and extending forwardly above and alongside the passenger compartment with the frame in the raised position. The connected pairs of pillar members and side rails define a side window opening, and support a plurality of bow members over which the top material is stretched to enclose the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle having a convertible top includes internal body reinforcement members including a belt line reinforcement assembly attached to the upper back panel and the upper portion of the body quarter panels. The belt line reinforcement assembly is connected to quarter panel reinforcements to form a box-like structure having an aperture therethrough which disposes the trunk and passenger compartments of the vehicle in communication. The quarter panel reinforcement members are attached to the body quarter panels and the wheelhouse panels of the vehicle. A cross-support member attached to the rear seat riser portion of the compartment floor pan and rocker panel reinforcement are also provided. A header is mounted to the upper edge of the vehicle windshield and is provided with a recessed rear portion for receiving the front cross-bow of the convertible top in a flush alignment with the upper surface of the header.

Abstract: A convertible top for a passenger motor vehicle, with the convertible top including a top covering, longitudinally extending side members, and a main bow. The main bow is coupled to the body portion of the motor vehicle and is connected by an articulated lever system to the longitudinally extending side members, with the top covering, in an area behind the main bow resting on at least one reinforcement bow. To reduce the number of components and prevent the generation of wind noises, the reinforcement bow is spaced from but attached to the main bow and a rigid form-unit is interposed between the main bow and reinforcement bow, with the top covering resting on the rigid-form unit.