Retractable HardTops
Mar 24th, 2008 by Art Deco
Retractables
A ‘retractable’ is a new term for an old idea - a convertible with a metal roof that stows away in the trunk compartment, as opposed to a ‘hardtop convertible’ a term applied to a car with both a lightweight folding soft top and a separate removable metal or fiberglass hard top.
In theory, the removable hardtop came off the car in the spring, and it stayed in the garage untill winter approached and the owner had to bolt the top back on for winter driving. And some did exactly that, but because of the inconvenience of putting on and taking off the top, many people ended up leaving the hard top on year round, leading to them being called ‘phony convertibles’.
2. Today’s Retractables
After the demise of the Skyliner, retractable metal roofs essentially disappeared in America for over forty years.
In 1998 Mercedes-Benz introduced the SLK 230. An high performance luxury two seater, the SLK was still not exactly a mass market car, but it sold successfully to up market buyers who wanted a ‘more practical’ convertible that they could drive year round and park at the airport or on the street.
The technology improved quickly and the cost of manufacturing dropped enough that retractable hardtops offered as options on mid price cars sold well in Europe (especially in Britain), which allowed further cost savings. Today they are offered on even inexpensive cars like the Ford Focus in Europe, and the Mazda Miata in the US.
There are approximately a dozen retractables either on sale now (2007 model year) or announced for 2008. Mercedes, BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Lexus, Volvo, Peugeot, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Opel, Renault, Volkswagen, Ford of Europe, and General Motors Pontiac Division all have retractables on the market, and more are expected to follow next year.
They are really all weather cars that you can drive and park anywhere - in a rough section of town, a mall or motel parking lot, or even leave at the airport for a week without worrying about someone slicing though the expensive top to steal a stereo.
Red and white 1957 Skyliner swallowing it's roof
3. The Retractable Skyliner - 1957
Retractable metal roofs are not a new idea; The first patent dates to the 1920s and Ford built the first popular one in 1957 for the Fairlane 500.
It was called the Skyliner - a huge luxurious car that could seat six on two bench seats, but was fitted with only two doors and an oversized trunk that held the one piece electrically operated roof, and a pair of small suitcases.
It was a mechanical marvel in it’s day - the day of the first Corvettes and Thunderbirds, tail fins and drive in movies - back when Ford and Chevrolet were locked into a battle for market share and no one in the USA had ever heard of Japanese cars.
It was a great gimmick. And it brought people into the showrooms in waves. Ford sold over 20,000 Skyliners in 1957, and although they probably lost money on every one of them, they attracted so much attention that Ford managed to beat Chevrolet in total sales that year.
Three years later, the novelty had worn off, sales were down to under 13,000 cars per year and Ford discontinued it’s cool but costly retractable hardtop.
Today a Skyliner is about the only Ford from that period that is very desirable collectable car.
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