Drive mechanism and open roof construction provided therewith

A drive mechanism for an open roof construction of a vehicle (1) comprises a guide channel (5) and a slide shoe (6) cooperating therewith, which guide channel (5) comprises a first part (5) extending in a substantially horizontal direction for moving the slide shoe (6) on a first level in said substantially horizontal direction, and a second part (5') extending downwardly relative to said substantially horizontal direction for moving the slide shoe (6) to a lower second level, and further comprising an elongate drive member (10) attached to the slide shoe and extending along the guide channel, substantially in parallel to the first part (5) of the guide channel. The guide channel (5; 5') defines two spaced guide channel parts (5"; 5"') for cooperation with two corresponding guide shoe parts (6') and wherein the guide shoe (6) between its spaced guide shoe parts (6') is provided with a recess (12) allowing the guide shoe (6) to move from the first to the second level without engaging the elongate drive member (10), which drive member (10) is located within the vertical projection of the guide channel (5) and at a level above the level assumed by at least one of the guide shoe parts (6') when the guide shoe (6) is positioned at its second level.