Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Klaus Brandel

Frank Leopold

Fritz B Kochy

Bernhard Neumann

Gerhard Helmsing

Horst Hullmann

A cabriolet motor vehicle is provided, which comprises a roof constructed from at least two roof segments, which may be brought into an open position, rear roof columns stiffened by an upper roof cross member ('Targa part'), and a rollbar ('Targa bar') situated in the area between a front frame and the Targa part, and is distinguished in that the at least two roof segments are stackable using a movement mechanism into a roof segment stack situated between the Targa bar and the target part, and the roof segment stack is pivotable into the passenger compartment using at least one connecting rod attached to the upper roof cross member of the Targa part.

Cabriolet

A pre-assembled module for the cockpit zone of a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car, which is adapted to be mounted as one single unit inside the vehicle body and which incorporates essentially the following components: an instrument board including all instruments and accessories commonly contained therein, fuse box and electric wiring, heater with controls and air distribution system; furthermore a steering system including steering wheel, steering column enclosure and steering support means; also pedals for clutch and brake, including mounting brackets. The vehicle body includes a fire wall and fire wall support member to which the aforementioned components and accessories are connected when in the installed position. The fire wall and fire wall support member are separated from the body shell and serve as an assembly base for the unit. In the installed position, the fire wall and fire wall support member are sealingly connected with the respective adjacent body panels. The advantage of a unit as described in the foregoing specifications is that those components which are commonly considered to be part of the cockpit zone, but which are situated on the other side of the fire wall, i.e., in the engine compartment, can also be incorporated into the pre-assembly operation of the module. This simplifies assembly operations to a great extent and reduces the over-all manufacturing costs of the vehicle.

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Wiesbaden, Germany

Klaus Brandel