A convertible top for a vehicle includes a folding top frame. The folding
top frame has a transversely extending front bow and a pair of oppositely
disposed first and second side rails. The front bow has first and second
ends. The folding top frame is movable between a closed position in which
the folding top frame is longitudinally extended and a stored position in
which the folding top frame is folded. The convertible top further
includes first and second rotary joints each having a transversely
extending swivel axis. The rotary joints respectively link the ends of
the front bow to the side rails such that the front bow swivels about the
transversely extending swivel axes of the rotary joints as the folding
top frame moves between the closed and stored positions in order to
reduce space requirements in the stored position of the folding top
frame.