Editing Convertible (section)

== History ==
[[File:Daimler Grafton Phaeton 1897 - rear.jpg|thumb|left|1897 [[Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft|Daimler]] Grafton Phaeton]]

Most of the early automobiles were open-air vehicles without any roof or sides.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beginnings of the automobile: the predecessor companies (1886-1920)|url= https://www.daimler.com/company/tradition/company-history/1886-1920.html |website=daimler.com |access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=British Motor Manufacturers (1894-1960), Arnold |url= http://www.britishmm.co.uk/history.asp?id=63 |website=britishmm.co.uk|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110616192632/http://www.britishmm.co.uk/history.asp?id=63 |archive-date=16 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Early American Automobiles Pre 1900|url= http://www.earlyamericanautomobiles.com/1890b.htm |website=earlyamericanautomobiles.com |access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hurtu|url= https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Hurtu |website=gracesguide.co.uk |access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> As car engines became more powerful by the end of the 19th century, folding textile or leather roofs (as had been used on [[Victoria (carriage)|victoria]] or [[Landau (carriage)|landau]] carriages) began to appear on cars.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Evolution of the Convertible- slide 2|url= https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g876/the-evolution-of-the-convertible/?slide=2 |website=popularmechanics.com |date = 25 June 2012|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref><ref name="autofocus.ca">{{cite web |title=A brief history of the convertible |url=http://www.autofocus.ca/a-brief-history-of-the-convertible |website=autofocus.ca |access-date=14 April 2018 |archive-date=14 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914211519/http://www.autofocus.ca/a-brief-history-of-the-convertible |url-status=dead }}</ref> Examples of early cars with roofs include the [[phaeton body|phaeton]] (a two-seat car with a temporary roof), the [[Brougham (car body)|brougham]] or a [[coupé de ville]], having an enclosed passenger compartment at the rear, while the driver sat in front either in the open, or the [[Landaulet (car)|landaulet]], where the driver has a fixed roof and the passenger compartment has a folding roof. Less expensive cars, such as the [[Runabout (car)|runabout]]s, sporting [[Roadster (automobile)|roadsters]], or sturdy [[touring car]]s, remained either completely open air or were fitted with a rudimentary folding top and detachable clear side curtains.

[[File:HelenGeorgia1929Ford1975Gas.jpg|thumb|upright|1928 [[Ford Model A (1927–31)|Ford Model A]] Roadster]]
In the 1920s, when steel bodies began to be mass-produced, closed cars became available to the average buyer, and fully open cars began to disappear from the mainstream market.<ref name="cbsnews.com">{{cite web|title=The up-and-down history of the convertible|url= https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-up-and-down-history-of-the-convertible/ |website=cbsnews.com |date= 13 July 2014 |access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> By the mid 1930s, the remaining small number of convertibles sold were high-priced luxury models.<ref name="autofocus.ca"/> In 1939, [[Plymouth (automobile)|Plymouth]] introduced the first mechanically operated convertible roof powered by two vacuum cylinders.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Evolution of the Convertible- slide 5 |url= https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g876/the-evolution-of-the-convertible/?slide=5 |website=popularmechanics.com |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Deluxe Plymouth for 1939 (brochure) |url= https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1939-Plymouth-Deluxe.pdf |via=xr793.com |page=15 |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref>

Demand for convertibles increased as a result of American soldiers in France and the United Kingdom during [[World War II]] familiarizing themselves with small [[roadster (automobile)|roadster]] cars, which were not available in the United States at that time.<ref name="cbsnews.com"/> These roadsters included the [[MG T-type|MG Midget]] and [[Triumph Roadster]]. The convertible design was incorporated into the mass market [[Vehicle frame#Unibody|unibody]] by Hudson in 1948.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Corey |title=Rare Rides: A Hudson Commodore Brougham From 1950, Complete With Celebrity Ownership |url= https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/03/rare-rides-a-hudson-commodore-brougham-from-1950-complete-with-celebrity-ownership/ |website=thetruthaboutcars.com |date=7 March 2019 |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Salmi |first1=Steve |title=1948 Hudson 'step-down' was a brilliant car with tragic flaws |url= https://www.indieauto.org/2022/02/10/1948-hudson-step-down-was-a-brilliant-car-with-tragic-flaws/ |work=Indie Auto |date=11 February 2022 |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref> United States automakers manufactured a broad range of convertible models during the 1950s and 1960s&nbsp;– from economical compact-sized models such as the [[Rambler American]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=AFIEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Rambler+American+lowest+priced+convertible&pg=PP2 |title=All new! A convertible with Rambler Excellence (advertisement) |date=2 June 1962 |magazine=Life |volume=50 |issue=22 |access-date=26 December 2022 |via=Google Books}}</ref> and the [[Studebaker Lark]], to the more expensive models, such as the [[Packard Caribbean]], [[Oldsmobile 98]], and [[Imperial (automobile)|Imperial]] by Chrysler.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mort |first1=Norm |title=American 'Independent' Automakers: AMC to Willys 1945 to 1960 |date=15 September 2010 |publisher=Veloce Publishing |isbn=9781845842390 |pages=29–30 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yZo8GKToqqcC&dq=last+Packard+convertible&pg=PA30 |access-date=26 December 2022 |via=Google Books}}</ref> Automakers often included a convertible body style as an available body style in a model range.<ref>{{cite web |title=1967 Rambler Rebel brochure |url= http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/AMC/1967_AMC/1967_Rambler_Rebel_Brochure/slides/1967_Rambler_Rebel-13.html |website=oldcarbrochures.org |access-date=10 March 2022 |page=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=LaChance |first1=Dave |title=Daytona Delight - 1964 Studebaker Daytona |magazine=Hemmings Classic Car |date=July 2006 |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/daytona-delight-1964-studebaker-daytona |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Schild |first1=James J. |title=Original Dodge and Plymouth B-Body Muscle 1966-1970 |date=2004 |publisher=MotorBooks International |isbn=9781610591324 |page=78 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=SUfwxG5O-uAC&dq=Dodge+convertible+sedan+wagon+hardtop&pg=PA78 |access-date=26 December 2022 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

Convertibles in the U.S. market peaked in sales around 1965, and fell in popularity over the next five years.<ref name="ASCbrought">{{cite web |last1=Hunting |first1=Benjamin |title=How ASC brought convertibles back from the dead |url= https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/how-asc-brought-convertibles-back-from-the-dead/ |work=Hagerty |access-date=26 December 2022 |date=15 February 2022}}</ref> Optional air conditioning was gradually becoming more popular, and the availability of sunroofs and T-tops limited the appeal of the open body style. Noise, leaks, and repairs associated with fabric tops also contributed to issues that many customers had.<ref name="ASCbrought"/> The popularity of convertibles was reduced by the increased travel speeds on roads (resulting in more wind and noise for occupants) and the emergence of more comprehensive vehicle crash safety standards in the United States.<ref name="cbsnews.com"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Evolution of the Convertible- slide 8 |url= https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g876/the-evolution-of-the-convertible/?slide=8 |website=popularmechanics.com |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref>

The market share of convertibles fell to two or three percent of total sales and the U.S. automakers discontinued the body style from their lineups.<ref name="ASCbrought"/> American Motors stopped making convertibles after the 1968 model year, Chrysler after 1971, Ford after 1973, and most divisions of General Motors after 1975. Cadillac held out until 1976, when they made about 14,000. The last 200 had a red, white, and blue motif and a dashboard plaque. The very last was offered to the Smithsonian Institution, whose trustees turned it down as it was not at that moment a historic artifact, "Though it might well be in three generations ... or at the Tricentennial."<ref>{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Lynton |title=The gilt edged Cadillac |date= 6 April 1976 |work=The Guardian |page=4}}</ref>  After the last [[Cadillac Eldorado]] convertible was made in 1976, the only factory convertibles sold in the United States were imported. Making convertibles on the assembly line was both expensive and time-consuming, thus not worth the problems needed to sell the limited number of cars.<ref name="ASCbrought"/>

[[File:1981 AMC Eagle Sundancer 4WD convertible 2014-AMO-NC-f.jpg|thumb|1981 AMC Eagle Sundancer]]
[[File:1985 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible, front right, 06-04-2023.jpg|thumb|1985 Chrysler LeBaron convertible]]
Specialized coachbuilders were contracted to make dealer-available cars such as the [[Targa top]] versions of the [[AMC Concord]] and [[AMC Eagle|Eagle]] "Sundancer" as well as the [[Toyota Celica]] "Sunchaser" as specialty models.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Niedermeyer |first1=Paul |title=The AMC I Forgot About: Sundancer – The Only Way To Top A Concord Or Eagle |url= https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/the-amc-i-forgot-about-sundancer-the-only-way-to-top-a-concord-or-eagle/ |work=Curbside Classic |date=24 January 2014 |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=ODonnell |first1=Jim |title=Rare SunChaser! 1980 Toyota Celica Convertible |url= https://barnfinds.com/rare-sunchaser-1980-toyota-celica-convertible/ |work=Barn Finds |date=27 November 2020 |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref> American Sunroof Company (ASC), which was responsible for popularizing the sunroof option for regular body styles, converted a [[Buick Riviera]] into a full convertible that compelled General Motors to market it as part of the 1982 Buick models.<ref name="ASCbrought"/> [[Chrysler Corporation]] also introduced a convertible body style in its 1982 lines that was based on the [[Chrysler K platform|K-Car]]. These models were the [[Chrysler LeBaron|LeBaron]], produced under Chrysler, and the [[Dodge 400|400]], manufactured under [[Dodge]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/02/business/the-us-convertible-making-a-comeback.html |title=The U.S. Convertible Making a Comeback|last=Holusha|first=John |work=The New York Times |date=2 March 1981 |access-date=14 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/29/automobiles/the-k-car-variations-on-a-theme-helped-to-save-chrysler.html |title=The K Car: Variations on a Theme Helped to Save Chrysler |newspaper=The New York Times |date=29 January 1984 |access-date=14 August 2019}}</ref> Ford reintroduced a convertible [[Ford Mustang|Mustang]] for 1983, while [[American Motors Corporation]] (AMC) added a convertible version of the [[Renault Alliance]] in 1984.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stone |first1=Matthew L. |title=Mustang 5.0 and 4.6, 1979-1998 |publisher=MotorBooks International |isbn=9781610591089 |page=28 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=gURwClIjeFkC&dq=Mustang+convertible+reintroduced&pg=PA28 |date=1998 |access-date=26 December 2022 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Ross |first1=Daniel Charles |title=AMC's Sunny Side Up |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=October 1984 |volume=161 |issue=10 |page=99 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=f-QDAAAAMBAJ&dq=AMC+introduced+convertible&pg=PA99 |access-date=26 December 2022 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

In 1989, Mazda released the first generation [[Mazda MX-5]] (called "Miata" in North America), which has become the best-selling convertible with over 1 million cars sold.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mazda builds 1 millionth MX-5 |url= https://www.autoblog.com/2016/04/25/mazda-millionth-mx-5-miata/ |website=autoblog.com |access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> Also in 1989, Toyota released the [[Toyota Soarer#Z20 series (1986–1991)|Toyota Soarer]] Aerocabin, which uses an electrically operated [[retractable hardtop]] roof.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Soarer Aerocabin Found In LA |url= http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/06/toyota-soarer-aerocabin/ |website=speedhunters.com |date=June 2015 |access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> A total of 500 were produced.<ref>{{cite web|title=This One Of 500 Toyota Soarer Aerocabin Can Be Yours |url= https://www.carscoops.com/2016/09/this-one-of-500-toyota-soarer-aerocabin/ |website=carscoops.com |date= 21 September 2016 |access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref>

Models dedicated to the convertible body style include the [[Mazda MX-5]], [[Porsche Boxster]], and [[Buick Cascada|Opel Cascada]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Buick Cascada Buyer's Guide |url= https://www.motortrend.com/cars/buick/cascada/ |work=MotorTrend |access-date=25 June 2022}}</ref>