A convertible or cabriolet is a vehicle that can convert between an open car and an enclosed one.
Cabrio /ˈkæbriːˌəʊ/ is short for cabriolet /ˌkæbrɪəʊˈleɪ/, originally a french expression for a light, two-wheeled, one-horse carriage with a folding top, capable of seating two persons. Cabriolet literally translated means little caper; so called from its light movement. Caper is a playful skipping movement or an illicit or ridiculous activity or escapade.
Hard tops – Cars with a removable or retractable solid roof or roof segments
| Coupé Convertible* or Coupé Cabriolet |
Car with a multi segment rigid roof which can be folded and stored in the boot. (BMW 3series, VW Eos) |
| Targa* | Semi-convertible with a fully removable hard top roof panel. (Porsche 911Targa, 914) |
| T-bar* | Similar to the Targa top. Has 2 removable panels and retains a central narrow roof section along the front to back axis of the car (Pontiac TransAm, Nissan ZX) |
| Detachable hardtop | A rigid roof which can be removed completely. Often for use in winter on roadsters or spyders with non-isolated soft-tops (older Mercedes SL) |
| Roadster | 2 seater convertible (Mercedes SLK or SL) |
Soft tops – Cars with a removable or retractable fabric roof
| Drop Head Coupé | 2-door, 4 seater with a fully padded and isolated fabric top and fully closing side windows. (Rolls Royce Phantom, Mercedes E and S class convertible) |
| Phaeton* | 4 door open car without side windows but a removable fabric top. |
| Ragtop* | Open car with removable basic soft top, without side windows and often no doors (Mini Moke). Also often used as slang for a soft top convertible |
| Roadster | 2 seater convertible (Mazda MX5, Porsche Boxter) |
| Spider or Spyder | Small 2 seat convertible with minimalistic or no roof (Porsche Spyder) |
| Semi-convertible* or cabrio coach |
Retractable or removable top which retains fully framed windows. (Fiat 500, Citroën 2CV, Nissan Figaro) |
| Landaulet* | A semi-enclosed convertible with an enclosed front cabin and an open rear. (BMW Baur) |
| Town Car* | A semi-enclosed convertible with an open front and enclosed rear cabin. |
* for example pictures click here
