droptop

A droptop is a vehicle with a roof that can be lowered or removed, typically referring to a convertible or cabriolet. The term is an informal variant of drop-top and is often used interchangeably with convertible in casual speech and some automotive media.

Droptops come in several roof configurations. Soft-topped models use fabric or vinyl that folds or rolls away; hard-topped versions use retractable metal or composite roofs. Some designs have a fully automatic roof that stacks behind the rear seats or into a trunk, while others require manual operation. The choice affects weight, rigidity, and weatherproofing.

Historically, droptop designs emerged in the early days of motor vehicles, with convertible models becoming especially popular from the 1920s onward. In British English, a two-door convertible is often called a drophead coupé, a term that parallels the American droptop usage. Modern droptops range from affordable convertibles to luxury and performance cars.

In culture, droptops are closely associated with leisure driving, summer road trips, and sporty styling. They present practical considerations, such as reduced stiffness in the unroofed state, greater wind exposure, HVAC needs, and trunk space limitations when the roof is down.

See also: Convertible, Cabriolet, Roadster.