Landaulet Roof: Origins, Design and Revival in Modern Cars

Discover what a landaulet roof is, its history from carriage origins, how it differs from landau roof, and why it’s rare yet iconic in today’s automotive world.

The landaulet body style remains one of the most fascinating chapters in automotive history. It combines drama and formality: a folding roof section over the rear passengers, a fixed roof up front, and the unmistakable sense of occasion that few modern cars can match. The term itself comes from the 18th century, describing a shortened version of the landau carriage built in the German town of Landau. Like its horse-drawn predecessor, the rear portion of the roof could be lowered, allowing passengers to enjoy fresh air while the driver stayed under cover.]

When the automobile era began, landaulets quickly became a fixture of prestige transportation. In the early 20th century, some even served as taxis — the Austin 12/4 and early Checker models were notable examples. Later, the style became closely associated with ceremonial vehicles for heads of state and religious leaders. That prestige, however, also led to its decline: growing security concerns eventually pushed open cars out of official fleets.

It is crucial not to confuse a true landaulet with the so-called “landau roof.” The latter, especially popular in the United States, was often just a styling trick — a vinyl-covered fixed roof with decorative S-shaped landau bars. A landaulet, by contrast, features a genuine opening rear section, and in modern examples, this is an electrohydraulic soft top with an integrated glass window that folds neatly behind the seats.

Modern landaulets are rare but memorable. The Maybach 62 S Landaulet of the late 2000s revived the concept for a new generation, while the 2017 Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet proved that even an off-roader can be turned into a parade car. With its V12 engine, portal axles, and a power-operated soft top over the rear cabin, it was produced in just 99 units — instantly making it a collector’s item.

Interest in the format continues. In September 2025, Mercedes confirmed the return of the G-Class Cabriolet, and the silhouette strongly suggests a landaulet-style roof solution. Full technical details have yet to be revealed, but the announcement alone hints at a possible renaissance for open ceremonial vehicles.

Today, the landaulet remains a rarity — and precisely for that reason, a status symbol. Every time one appears on the road, it turns into a small spectacle, a reminder that cars were once built not only to get from point A to point B, but also to make an entrance.