Honda Del Sol TransTop: A Sports Car with a Magic Roof

The model name of Honda’s Del Sol sports car translates from Spanish to “of the sun.” It had a manually removable targa panel that opened the roof. However, in Japan and Europe, Honda offered a Del Sol TransTop with a neat party trick—a wholly automated hardtop mechanism years ahead of its time.

One with this feature is recently for sale on eBay in Mesa, Ariz.

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Top-Down Cruiser

The Honda Del Sol is primarily remembered for being one of Honda’s rare missteps in the 1990s. The small sports car was intended to replace the CRX hot hatch, but the Del Sol was a relaxed cruiser for sun worshippers, not a sports car with sharp steering and knife-edge handling.

Disappointment from weekend autocrossers notwithstanding, the Del Sol came at a fortuitous time, giving Honda an open-top option during the convertible craze kicked off by the Mazda Miata.

American-market Honda Del Sols were sold between 1993 and 1997. They were available with several engine options. The most powerful was the Del Sol VTEC, introduced in 1994. It put Honda’s Formula 1-derived variable valve timing technology to great use, extracting an impressive 160 horsepower from a 1.6-liter twin-cam inline-four.

A Transformative Roof

American Del Sols came with a single roof option: an aluminum panel that drivers could remove by hand. Unlike traditional convertible hardtops that formed the roof and rear pillars in one large piece, the panel is small enough to stow in the Del Sol’s compact trunk. It is the best of both worlds.

Owners had a solid roof option rather than an easily damaged convertible fabric top. At the same time, it isn’t so cumbersome that it had to be left at home. The car easily accommodates weather changes.

In Japan, the Del Sol’s TransTop option introduced in 1992 makes it even easier to transform the car. With the push of a button, the trunk lid rises vertically until it is a few centimeters higher than the roof. Then, two tiny arms emerge from the underside of the trunk, connect to the targa roof, and pull it back beneath the trunk panel. The trunk is then lowered to the closed position.

There are a few downsides to the TransTop. Since it doesn’t require human hands (and strength) to remove, the panel is steel rather than aluminum. With the motorized mechanism, the total weight increases by around 100 pounds.

The trunk doesn’t have hinges. So the only way to open the trunk is to wait for the mechanism to raise and lower. Plus, the system eats into trunk space. Nevertheless, the design predates folding hardtop convertibles by several years.

Imported Entertainment

The Japanese-spec Del Sol SiR, like the car offered on eBay, produces a total of 170 horsepower. That’s 10 more than the top US trim. A downside for some enthusiasts might be this example’s automatic transmission.

The Del Sol TransTop comes to the US via the UK and has some rust bubbles to show for it. It also needs several maintenance items and has some scrapes and dents. But that’s reflected in the $8,750 asking price.

With the hindsight of 30-plus years, the Del Sol TransTop makes for a highly entertaining car. The practicality penalties on a daily driver evaporate when it becomes a weekend toy. With its charming style and surprise roof mechanism, it’s sure to brighten any drive.