Often just called convertibles, these vehicles have a roof that either moves out of the way or comes off. This is mostly done for driving pleasure, but it often drastically changes (in comparison to the standard version) the car's driving characteristics.
The major visual difference is usually the shape of the roof, since it has to either fit in the trunk, or is made from a fabric which stretches over a metal frame.
Why Convertibles Are Usually Heavier (video by Engineering Explained)
One would think that replacing a metal roof with a cloth one would reduce weight because cloth is lighter than metal. However, due to the lack of a supporting structure in the top half of the middle of the vehicle, designers have to compensate with a rigid floor, and the amount of metal required to make that support is heavier than the metal roof would have been.
- 1896 Daimler Motor-Lastwagen
- 1966-1972 Ford Bronco
- 1981-1986 Jeep Scrambler CJ-8
- 1983-1987 Subaru Brat
- 1989-1991 Dodge Dakota Convertible
- 1992-1998 AM General Hummer
- 1999-2006 Hummer H1
- 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR
- 2020- Jeep Gladiator
Convertible Pickup Trucks
Since pickup trucks are generally thought of as a work vehicle, converible pickup trucks tend to be uncommon. Here is a list of converible pickup trucks, in chronological order: