Collapsible roof for a passenger vehicle

The roof (18) has a convertible roof cover including folding bows, which are brought into an erectable folding position from a lowered base position by spring elements i.e. leaf springs. The spring elements are held at guide bows (20) and the folding bows. The spring elements are in active connection with control elements. The control elements hold the spring elements in the base position of the folding bows in a closing position of the roof. The control elements release the spring elements in the folding position of the folding bows in an open position of the roof.