Mercedes-Benz 300 D Landaulet Limousine

Landau, when used in referencing an automobile, generally means a simulated convertible. A convertible is a type of automobile in which the vehicle's roof can retract and fold away converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle

It is originally a coachbuilding term for a type of carriage; see Landau (carriage). Bus manufacturingA coachbuilder is a manufacturer of bodies for Carriages or Automobiles The trade dates back several centuries A carriage is a wheeled vehicle for people usually horse-drawn A landau is a Coachbuilding term for a type of four-wheeled convertible Carriage. Many coachbuilding terms transferred over to automobile usage, since coachbuilders began making motor car bodies instead, and because customers were familiar with coachbuilding terms. The landau, however, was not a style that transferred well to the automobile. A forward view was generally insisted upon by passengers, so the half-landau landaulet style (instead of the landau), became a more popular choice. The landaulet opens over the rear seats, but not the front. Some of these vehicles were inaccurately described as "landaus".

In the 1920s and 1930s, especially in the United States, the term "landau" became used for a simulated convertible, in which a fixed roof of a sedan with solid rear quarters was covered with fabric or leather and fitted with side landau bars to make it appear like a convertible top. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the This became the commonly accepted definition of "landau" in North American usage thereafter.

1950 Nash Rambler convertible Landau

After World War II, the term fell into disuse. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including However, landau became a model name when Nash Motors introduced the Rambler in 1950. Also see Kelvinator and American Motors Corporation Nash Motors was an Automobile manufacturer based in Kenosha Wisconsin, in The new compact car was available during its first year of production only as a "convertible landau". A compact (North America small family (European or c-segment car is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini The Rambler's canvas top opened from the windshield header all the way to the back and stowed in the trunk area. This unique convertible design featured steel framed roof rails around the car's side windows. The Rambler's strong body structure eliminated the internal bracing that was normally needed on other open cars. Essentially it was a cabrio coach. A cabrio coach or semi-convertible is a type of car that has a retractable Textile Roof, and derives from Cabriolet.

The landau description was revived during the 1960s. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 There was a trend for making "fake convertibles" by applying vinyl roofs on regular cars. Vinyl roof refers to a Vinyl covering for an automobile's top Some of these vehicles were called "landaus" by their manufacturers, and many were fitted with landau bars on the rear quarters. Some used the term "Town Landau", and this generally meant a wider rear pillar with no rear quarter windows, or a partial vinyl roof that was applied only over the rear seat area (and is thus reminiscent of a town car). Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. Some are still in production while others are of historical interest only

A landau roof is also commonly used on the North American hearse; very long closed rear quarters, a vinyl roof, and huge, polished landau bars have been the preferred hearse style since before World War II. For the extreme metal band see Hearse (band A hearse is a Funeral Vehicle, a conveyance for the Coffin World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

A (simulated) landau bar on a 1967 Ford Thunderbird