Is a Del Sol considered a convertible?
No, the Del Sol is not a traditional convertible. It uses a removable roof panel in a targa-style setup, which allows open-air driving without a full folding top.
What defines a convertible?
A convertible is typically a car designed to drive with its roof removed or stowed away, using a folding or soft/hard top that can be fully retracted. The defining feature is a roof mechanism that can be completely stored or collapsed to create an open cockpit, usually with dedicated weather sealing and structural considerations to maintain rigidity when open.
The Del Sol roof design and how it’s classified
The Honda Del Sol, introduced in the early 1990s and marketed as the CR-X del Sol in some markets, is a two-seat sports car with a removable roof panel. This setup is commonly described as a targa-style roof rather than a true convertible, because the roof is not a fully retractable, fabric- or metal-top that folds away along the sides of the car. Enthusiasts and dealers often refer to it as a semi-convertible or targa, acknowledging its open-air capability while noting the structural and roof-handling differences from true convertibles.
Enthusiast perspective
In collector and enthusiast circles, the Del Sol is frequently classified as a “targa-style” or “semi-convertible” due to its removable roof panel and two-seat layout. It’s celebrated for open-air driving without the complexity of a full convertible mechanism, but it is not deemed a traditional convertible by most automotive definitions.
Below are the key features that differentiate the Del Sol from a conventional convertible. These points help explain why the Del Sol sits in a unique category rather than being labeled a standard convertible.
- Roof type: removable targa-style panel versus a full retractable soft or hard top
- Open-air exposure: panel removal provides open cockpit, but there is no fully folding top mechanism
- Structural considerations: different reinforcement and rigidity profile compared to most true convertibles
- Marketing and naming: marketed as CR-X del Sol, described as a two-seat sport coupe with a removable roof
- Production window: produced mainly between 1992 and 1998 in its markets
Concluding, the Del Sol offers open-air driving akin to a convertible but, technically, it is best described as a targa-style or semi-convertible rather than a traditional convertible.
Summary
The Del Sol is not a traditional convertible. It features a removable roof panel in a targa-style configuration, delivering open-air driving without a fully retractable roof. While it shares some appeal with convertibles, its roof design and structural approach place it in a distinct category that enthusiasts often classify as a semi-convertible or targa rather than a true convertible.
What qualifies a car as a roadster?
Roadster defines a vehicle that has an open top, two doors, two seats, and is made for sport. It is not a race car by any means, but it is enough to keep the average driver on the edge of his or her seat.
Why was Honda Del Sol discontinued?
Honda stopped making the Del Sol primarily due to declining sales, which were caused by a combination of factors including water leaks from the targa top, a cramped and low-quality interior, and stiff competition from other roadsters like the Mazda Miata. The final model year in 1997 saw fewer than 6,000 units sold in the U.S., making it a financially unviable vehicle for the company.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Honda Del Sol's short production run: 58sAcura AdviceYouTube · Oct 14, 2023
Reasons for the Del Sol's discontinuation
- Declining sales: Sales dropped significantly after its first couple of years, plummeting to under 6,000 units in its final year, which made the car a poor investment for Honda.
- Targa top issues: The removable targa top was a major source of complaints, as it was prone to water leaks and potential damage if not sealed properly, which hurt customer satisfaction.
- Interior and practicality problems: Many owners found the interior cramped and made of cheap materials, and the car lacked storage space, especially for a convertible.
- Market positioning: The Del Sol struggled to find its niche. It was marketed as a sports car but was front-wheel drive and didn't offer the same performance as its competitors like the rear-wheel-drive Mazda Miata, while also being less practical than other cars in the Civic lineup it was based on.
- Competition with the CRX: It was seen by some as an inferior successor to the CRX, lacking the CRX's sharper handling and overall more connected driving experience.
- Structural changes: When the new generation of the Civic chassis was introduced in 1995, it was apparently too long to maintain the structural rigidity needed for a targa top. Honda continued to produce the Del Sol on the older chassis, which likely hurt its appeal and long-term viability.
Is a del sol a convertible?
The del Sol featured a removable aluminum hardtop that stowed onto a hinged frame in the trunk and a motorized drop-down rear window. Manual and automatic "TransTop" roofs were available in select markets. It is the first open-air Honda sold in the United States.
Is a Del Sol considered a sports car?
Called the Honda Civic Del Sol (also known as the CRX Del Sol), the tiny sports car was aimed squarely at the Mazda Miata in terms of performance and positioning.
