Convertible top with in-folding side rails

A convertible soft top for a motor vehicle, said convertible soft top comprising:

• a front portion and a hard panel rear portion having an extended position and a retracted position;
• said front portion having a header element and a pair of in-folding side rails, each of said pair of in-folding side rails having a front rail and a rear rail, said front rail having a front end pivotally attached to said header element and a rear end pivotally attached to said rear rail, and said rear rail having a front end pivotally attached to said front rail and a rear end pivotally attached to said hard panel rear portion;
• said front rail and said rear rail operable to fold inwardly towards a center line plane;
• said front portion also having a plurality of bows and a fabric cover, said plurality of bows being generally parallel to each other and transverse to said pair of in-folding side rails in an extended position and pivotally attached to said pair of in-folding side rails;
• said rear portion having a four bar linkage and a connecting link between said four bar linkage and said front portion;
• and
• said front portion and said rear portion operable to fold into a clamshell configuration with said front portion located on top of said rear portion.

A convertible soft top for a motor vehicle, said convertible soft top comprising:

• a front portion and a hard panel rear portion having an extended position and a retracted position;
• said front portion having a headliner, a fabric cover and a pair of in-folding side rails, each of said pair of in-folding side rails having a front rail and a rear rail, said front rail having a front end pivotally attached to said header element and a rear end pivotally attached to said rear rail, and said rear rail having a front end pivotally attached to said front rail and a rear end pivotally attached to said hard panel rear portion;
• said front rail and said rear rail operable to fold inwardly towards a center line plane;
• said front portion also having a forward bow, a middle bow and a rearward bow, said bows being generally parallel to each other and transverse to said pair of in-folding side rails in an extended position;
• said bows each pivotally attached to said pair of in-folding side rails;
• said fabric cover extending across and attached to each of said bows;
• said rear portion having a four bar linkage and a connecting link between said four bar linkage and said front portion;
• and
• said front portion and said rear portion operable to fold into a clamshell configuration with said front portion located on top of said rear portion.