What's A Landau Roof?
We explain what a Landau roof is, who invented this famous automotive feature, and where exactly along the line it stopped being produced.
There are many feature choices in a typical car, some of them far more outdated than others. One of those selections is the Landau roof. Although once a popular addition to older vehicles, the Landau roof is no longer available on newer cars and is only available for older vintage selections. What is a landau roof, and what do you need to know about it?
There are ample details associated with various components of cars, including the roof. The Landau roof has long been out of commission, but it’s ideal to know what it is in case you find a vehicle with one on top. Read on to learn more about what a landau roof is, why they have that name, what landau bars are, and other valuable information.
What Is a Landau Roof?
A landau roof is a strange addition to a vehicle, almost like placing the “underwear” of a vehicle on the exterior of the car. It’s a vinyl roof that goes over the top, offering a strange accent on a typical machine. Although it was added to the car, the first appearance of the landau roof came long before vehicles were invented.
Landau roofs were one of the nicest carriages available for purchase. They were:
- Named after the German city the builders came from
- Made to keep the occupants dry
- Existent in elevating the comfort level of riders
Landau roofs were a valuable addition to the luxury world of carriages.
The Landau roof eventually made its way onto vehicles as time progressed, creating a vinyl cover that looked weird but paid its dues in keeping people covered in their machines. Not many people adored the styling, however, which led to its eventual demise and absence of use on more modern cars.
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Who Invented Landau?
The Landau roof was named after the German city where it came from, Landau, in the Rhenish Palatinate. There doesn’t seem to be very much information about who invented the Landau. However, Luke Hopkinson is credited with improving the carriage landau in the 1830s, part of what helped develop the modern car landau.
The Landau was used in the following areas:
- Britain
- Canada
- Japan
These were all Landau carriages, which are still available for some events in these areas today.
Though there is little credit to the person who created the Landau many car manufacturers turned it into a car specification that was all the rage for a short period. Although many did not like the exterior addition, it’s a signature of the time that makes a fun throwback on vintage vehicles from the period.
Why Are They Called Landau Bars?
In some vehicles, specifically hearses, there is an addition called a landau bar. This item is S-shaped and goes on the rear quarter panel. It’s meant to represent the traditional folding structure of the Landau carriage, made out of metal, and provides a fun tribute to the past of transportation.
Landau bars have turned into a tradition on vehicles for funerals, so hearses continue to be manufactured with these details on the rear. There were also some landau bars on Ford cars like the Thunderbird, as well as several others in the 70s. They seemed to die out for a while except on hearses, thanks to their gaudiness.
The 2020s have brought back landau bars to some degree. You might see them now on Genesis, Jeep SUV, and Lexus. These are considered “neo-landau bars” and offer a more visual appearance for the exterior. These landaus are thinner and blend into the machine more than past selections.
WHAT DOES THE LIGHTNING BOLT MEAN ON A CAR?
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What Was the Last Car to Have a Landau Roof?
Although the Landau roof was trendy for a short period, it didn’t last forever, and there were some final cars to be developed with the Landau roof on top. According to motortrend.com, the final cars created with a Landau roof were the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood and the Buick Roadmaster. After that, Landau roofs ceased to exist in the modern market.
The decision to end production on Landau roofs happened for the following reasons:
- Newer materials allow for sleeker designs
- They look strange in the modern market
- They were terrible for longevity, rotting quickly
These reasons made them fewer ideal selections for a typical driver.
It doesn’t seem like the Landau roof will have a comeback anytime soon. However, we see portions of the past rear their head in the terrible designs of selections like the El Dorado, Town Car, and Camry. Time will tell if we see a Landau roof on a vehicle again.
MOONROOF VS. SUNROOF: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Eventually, cars became more enclosed to protect occupants from the elements. Let’s first explore the origins of moonroof vs. sunroof differences.
Can a Landau Roof Be Removed?
Maybe you invest in a vintage vehicle with a Landau roof and need to replace the roof or want to remove it from the top. While you can take off the vinyl, it’s substantial work to remove it cleanly. Vinyl requires heat to peel off evenly and should be done by a professional to ensure you don’t damage the vehicle in any other way.
To remove a landau roof, you must do the following:
- Peel back the vinyl with a heating element
- Scrape off the glue underneath
- Replace any damaged components
It will take significant work to remove the Landau roof.
While some have done it successfully, it isn’t worth attempting to remove a Landau roof. Instead, if you don’t like the design, avoid this machine. The aesthetic will be nearly impossible to replace once you’re here.
Final Thoughts
The Landau roof is a classic symbol of a time gone by when trucks wore their underpants on their head, and a vinyl design was king. While it wasn’t an ideal direction, it makes for an interesting piece of history and a unique vintage vehicle if you will care for it.
We hope these details are valuable! The more you know about various aspects of a machine, the easier your decision when deciding on your dream vehicle. The Landau roof is for a few people, but some adore the strange design choice.
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