What was the first car with a retractable hardtop?
The first car to feature a retractable hardtop was the 1934 Peugeot 401 Eclipse. This innovative design allowed the car's roof to fold down automatically, transforming it from a coupe to a convertible at the push of a button. This groundbreaking feature paved the way for the development of retractable hardtops in modern automobiles.
The Peugeot 401 Eclipse: A Pioneering Design
The Peugeot 401 Eclipse was a mid-sized sedan produced by the French automaker Peugeot from 1934 to 1937. What set it apart from other cars of its time was the inclusion of a retractable hardtop, a feature that had never been seen before in a production vehicle.
The retractable hardtop mechanism on the Peugeot 401 Eclipse was a complex and innovative engineering feat. The roof, made of steel, would fold down into the trunk of the car at the push of a button, transforming the vehicle from a coupe to a convertible in a matter of seconds. This allowed drivers to enjoy the open-air experience of a convertible while still maintaining the structural integrity and weather protection of a hardtop.
The Impact of the Retractable Hardtop
The introduction of the Peugeot 401 Eclipse marked a significant milestone in automotive history. It demonstrated the potential for retractable hardtops to become a mainstream feature in the industry. While the 401 Eclipse was not a commercial success, it paved the way for the development of more advanced and user-friendly retractable hardtop systems in the decades that followed.
Today, retractable hardtops are a common sight on many modern automobiles, from sports cars to luxury sedans. The technology has evolved significantly, with faster and more reliable mechanisms that provide a seamless transition between the coupe and convertible configurations. The Peugeot 401 Eclipse's pioneering design laid the foundation for this innovation, forever changing the way we think about the versatility of car roofs.
What was the first power convertible top?
1939 Plymouth Convertible
Another innovation that saved the convertible from its 1920s nadir was the power-operated convertible top, which Plymouth introduced in 1939. The innovation made raising and lowering the top (done manually before) a much faster and less labor-intensive operation.
What is a retractable hardtop convertible called?
Soft-top convertibles, on the other hand, feature a retractable top made of polyester, vinyl and canvas, with a glass or plastic rear window. These hardtop convertible cars are also called coupe cabriolets, and French manufacturers such as Peugeot were among the first to build the concept.
How many years did Ford make the retractable hardtop?
three years
For three years, from 1957 to 1959, Ford produced this unique convertible with a steel top that folded into the trunk.
Why was the Edsel car so unpopular?
Introduced in a recession that catastrophically affected sales of medium-priced cars, Edsels were considered overhyped, unattractive, distinguished by a vertical grille said to resemble a horse collar, and low quality.
What was the first folding hard-top?
1935 Peugeot purchased Paulin's patent, and introduced the first factory production, power-operated, retractable hardtop in 1935, the "402BL Éclipse Décapotable", of which some 470 were built.
Did Edsel make a retractable hardtop?
They gave their car a retractable roof. This was doable because entry-level Edsels shared the same body as the Ford Fairlane models. From 1957-59 the automaker's low-priced brand offered a retractable metal roof on a top-end Skyliner model.
What was the first car with a retractable roof?
1935 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Decapotable
The earliest known car with a hardtop folding roof was the 1935 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Decapotable. Since then, there have been many manufacturers who have had commercial success with convertibles.
Did Ford make a retractable hardtop?
The Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner is a two-door full-size retractable hardtop convertible, manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company for model years 1957–1959. However, early into the 1959 model year, its name was expanded to Fairlane 500 Galaxie Skyliner.
What was the first year of the T tops?
1948
It was first used in a 1948 prototype by The American Sportscar Company or “Tasco.” The 1968 Chevrolet Corvette coupe was the first U.S.-built production automobile to feature a T-top roof.
What is the value of a 1959 Ford Skyliner?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $26,350 for a 1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner? The highest selling price of a 1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner at auction over the last three years was $105,300.
