Three-Section Retractable Hardtop With Telescoping Section

A method for reversibly retracting a three-piece roof panel having a front panel engageable with a windshield header, an intermediate panel having a front edge conforming to a rear edge of the front panel, and a rear panel having a front edge conforming to a rear edge of the intermediate panel in the closed position covering a passenger compartment with a front seating area and a rear seating area, to an open position, the method comprising:

• displacing said front panel rearwardly and downwardly over the rear seating area near a beltline;
• stacking said rear panel with respect to said intermediate panel to a relative position below and in front of said intermediate panel;
• and
• displacing said stacking panels rearwardly of the rear seating area.

A convertible top assembly for a vehicle body having a passenger compartment with front and rear seating areas covered by the top in its closed position, comprising:

• a front panel, engageable with a windshield header in the closed position;
• an intermediate panel having a guide rail and a front edge conforming with a rear edge of said forward panel in the closed position;
• a rear panel having a front edge conforming with a rear edge of said intermediate panel in the closed position;
• a drive for reversibly retracting said front panel, said intermediate panel and said rear panel from the closed position to an open position;
• wherein said forward panel is displaced rearwardly and downwardly over the rear seating area of the compartment near a belt line, said rear panel is shifted along said guide rail to a stacked position below and toward the front of said intermediate panel, and displacing said stacked panels rearwardly of said rear seating area at the open position.