Open top type automobile body structure

An open top automobile body including a body structure having a front windshield section, opposite side panels and a rear section, a hoop member of a substantially inverted U-shape having a pair of leg portions swingably mounted respectively on the opposite side panels for movement between an erected position wherein the hoop member extends substantially upright and a retracted position wherein the hoop member is retracted in the rear section, a rigid roof panel adapted to be placed between the front windshield section and the hoop member in the erected position, said roof panel having a rear edge portion connected through hinge means to said hoop member, said rear section of the body being provided with a space for receiving said roof panel when it is retracted, said hinge means including a first link pivotably mounted at one end on said hoop member for swingable movement about a first axis and a second link having one end secured to said roof panel and a portion spaced apart from said one end and pivotably connected with the other end of the first link for swingable movement about a second axis, said hoop member being provided with a slide pin extending laterally inwardly from the hoop member, said first link being formed at an intermediate portion with a groove for receiving said slide pin so that the first link is locked on the hoop member when the slide pin is engaged with the groove in the first link to allow the second link to pivot about the second axis.

An open top automobile body including a body structure having a front windshield section, opposite side panels and a rear section, a hoop member of a substantially inverted U-shape having a pair of leg portions swingably mounted respectively on the opposite side panels for movement between an erected position wherein the hoop member extends substantially upright and a retracted position wherein the hoop member is retracted in the rear section, a rigid roof panel adapted to be placed between the front windshield section and the hoop member in the erected position, said roof panel having a rear edge portion connected through hinge means to said hoop member, said hoop member having a front edge provided with weather seal means which is adapted to be engaged with a rear edge portion of the roof panel when the hoop member is in the erected position and the roof panel is placed between the front windshield and the hoop member, foldable hood means between said rear section and the hoop member in the erected position, said hood means having a front edge portion attached to the hoop member and a rear edge portion attached to the rear section, said rear section of the body being provided with a space for receiving said roof panel, said hoop member and said hood means when they are retracted, said hinge means including a first link having one end connected with said hoop member and a second link having one end connected to said roof panel, a further portion of said second link being pivotably connected with the other end of the first link, support means for supporting said roof panel on said hoop member when the hoop member is being moved between the erected position and the retracted position.