Cabriolet. The word “cabriolet” has a French origin that was derived back in the 1800's that referred to a horse-drawn carriage with two wheels and a top that could be pulled over the two occupants of the carriage when weather became bad.

Where does the word cabriolet come from?

Cabriolet, originally a two-wheeled, doorless, hooded, one-horse carriage, first used in 18th-century France and often let out for hire. The name is thought to derive from cabriole (French: “caper”) because of the vehicle's light, bounding motion. Later cabriolets were built with four wheels.

Who made the cabriolet?

By the time production of the first-generation Cabriolet ended in 1993, Volkswagen had sold 388,552 of them worldwide. In America, Volkswagen launched the second generation as the Cabrio in 1995, featuring several upgrades from the third-generation Golf, along with an optional power roof with glass rear window.