You know how there are many kinds of things? As in, there’s a thing, and there are other kinds of that thing? You know, like how there’s Sopressata salami and Felino salami? Well, that concept applies to things other than salami, if you can believe it. Like cars, which you can think of as a sort of salami of transportation. Well, among cars are convertibles, and among convertibles are a peculiar subset that look like that Opel one up there. Does this sort of convertible have a name? I’m not so sure it does. Maybe we should give it one, right now. Or at least after you finish your salami.
Here’s a few other examples of these sorts of convertibles, raging from Morris Minors to the fairly recent Fiat 500c, Crosleys, and interestingly, the Citroën Pluriel, which has removable side arches that can be removed, making it perhaps the only convertible that can transition from the “normal” type to the type I’m talking about, almost like a Genoa salami that can transform, via dark magik, into pepperoni.
The difference in this type of convertible is the existence of either window frames on the doors or roof rails at each side. In these convertibles, when the top is down, there is still upper structure on the sides of the car, above the beltline. With all windows down, the effect is pretty close to a full convertible, but not quite; it’s a bit less open, and there’s still some sense of being “inside” even though it’s mostly open. Kind of like a roofless sukkah, perhaps made of cotto salami.
I think maybe we could call these framed convertibles, or perhaps fenced convertibles. I’m open to other ideas, though! Playpen convertibles? Rolltops? Bordered convertibles?
I’d love to hear your ideas!
Also, salami.
I hate to be a spoilsport, but the referenced photo has the name clearly shown in it, ie. “Cabrio-Coach”. Case closed.
Semi-convertible?
Pseudovertible?
Subvertible?
Pervertible?
Not a Pervertible they are well defined as “the top stays up, the driver goes down”.
You know, I don’t think these are convertibles at all. The presence of door frames, B and C pillars, and even sail panels betray that notion.
Just like a removable panel hardtop isn’t really a convertible, these aren’t convertibles.
These are just “pull-back tops” on top of regular cars. Most of the time they’re soft tops, but there are some pull-back hard tops.
My favorite version of this is the Morris Marina Mumford convertible, some examples of which have fixed frames for the door glass, no frames for the rear side glass, and a central hoop which not only has fixed glass on its sides but also across its top:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52501753216_553fabf0df_c.jpg
Thread necromancy but that’s fucking wild
U-tops
I’ve always called them “rolltop convertibles” and have heard it a few times.
But I agree that we don’t have a widely accepted term, and there are some good funny suggestions here.
There is this further variation on the hard, soft, sunroof, “convertible”.
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1974-79-renault-17-gordini-convertible-coupe
They functioned rather well although the hard plastic shell cover was a little cumbersome.
I always called these “Canvas Top”, but that may be a JDM thing.
They remind me of a sardine tin, so I am going to call them sardine convertibles
I was thinking the same.
You beat me to it! I was going to suggest a ‘Sardinian” top, as Fancy Kristin might call hers.
They’re not fully convertible, but they are altered . . . How ’bout “alterables”?
(Actually, I vote for “combover convertibles”. Genius.)
In German they’re “cabriolimousines”.
And, no Nash Rambler?
How can you write an article like this and not include a 2CV photo? I’m sad.
My first thought was that we should call these “railtops,” riffing on ragtops.
Coachwork builder Karroserie Baur used to do their work on the BMW E30 to make the E30 Baur. Even a widebody M3 version which of course was pure sex.
https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.php?title=File:M3Baur.jpg
2 or 4 door Toupee
This is the correct answer.
maybe Coupee’
Quick google dive brought me to multiple references to “fixed profile” convertibles. Which is the lamest name ever.
I think here is what we do……find other objects that notably only open on top. Like a roll-top desk. We then translate that name to French and Italian (bureau à roulettes or scrivania arrotolabile, respectively). Hmmm….Italian sounds more fun there. So let’s swap desk with roof, tetto arrotolabile. Getting closer. Then let’s throw some esperanto in there….tetto rulita. Almost there! Enhance. Tettoru. It’s a tettoru. I should get to work….
Wikipedia seems to claim Cabrio Coach or semi-convertible, which is…okay, I guess?
Cabrio-Coach is always what I’ve called them. The Germans also call them Cabriolimousine (“limousine” meaning Sedan). Nash called it a “Convertible Landau” on the 1950-52 Rambler.
I think that in 1953, Nash called theirs a Rambler Custom “Landau” fixed-pillar convertible.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mugland/50253144467/in/album-72157681788020090/
I think it’s technically a Landaulet. Certainly if you Google that term you get a lot of cars matching the description. Although yes, Nash did indeed call a version of the Rambler “Landau”, I think they were wrong. ????
Bond randomly even drove one once.
Connery drives a Triumph Stag when he impersonates a thief in Diamonds are Forever.
I was offered a Triupmh Stag as a trade for an old Jeep. At the time, my heart was too filled with fear of that tiny V8.
The Stag is more of a basket-handle convertible, but with a T-handle instead of a simple hoop, although when the windows are up, the chrome window frames give it the look of a fully framed side panel. It’s actually a convertible rather than a pull-back roof.
The Stag is a fun little car, but nowhere near as fun as one might expect. The biggest problem with the Stag was rivalry within its own brand. The performance wasn’t any better than a TR6.
Landauletissimo?
Combover convertibles. There’s always part of a roof there, the middle part you have to move into position.
That’s it, Autopian needs to have COTD, and this needs to be the first winner.
$kaycog lurking around here anywhere?
I have the Morris Minor. The rear glass is fixed.
The temptation to remove the read glass and door frames is strong especially as it’s to be just a fun run around go to the beach car.
Has anybody ever seen a car with a Bimini Top?
Hmmm…
You mean something like a jolly with doors?
There was the original Jaguar XJS cabriolet with a 2-piece top. I believe you cold put the rear portion down and leave the targa top on. That would be bimini-ish.
https://www.streetsideclassics.com/vehicles/2274-dfw/1986-jaguar-xj-sc-cabriolet
Interesting. The ’05 MINI Cooper convertible I had featured a sunroof within the soft top. You could go full up..sunroof..or full open.
I’m thinking of something more Jollyish though
Good point, the overhead parts are not structural on the Minor, they’re just window supports. Open the doors on a Minor convertible and there’s nothing above the rocker panels but blue sky.
Right. The door glass frame is a bolt on insert. The rear though attaches to the “b” (kinda) post and is fixed in place. They look nice with the sides opened up. You can find images online. That, though, takes away from the goofy classic look.
I dunno….
I’ve been a passenger in Minor convertibles for the best part of 40 years of my life and I never twigged that those bits were fixed.
I know what the backseat passenger with the glasses is thinking……..
“Little Jack Horner sat in the corner eating his Christmas Pie,
He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum, and said, ‘Holy Shit am I high” !
I’ve always heard these referred to as canvas tops
I see it now…
DT: “I dare you to write about a fiat while also mentioning salami 16 times”
Torch: “challenge accepted!”
Also, I’d like to think of them as half-assed convertibles. They’re the car version of my father constantly reminding me that I only ever did half a job when I was young.
Overachieving Sunroof
Somebody pls bring Jason some salami