English

Noun

roadsters

1. Plural of roadster

Roadster is the North American term (spyder in England) used for a 2-seater lightweight car without a permanent top. The term was also used for a light carriage, synonymous with "buggy".

Even with the soft top convertible raised and deflecting "windows" (if existing) snapped in, the driver and passenger remain somewhat exposed to the elements. "Convertible" is an abbreviation of "convertible coupe" or "convertible sedan" which in 1920s-30s parlance indicated that the top of the car can "convert" the car from a car with the passenger habitacle covered into a car without having the passenger habitacle covered, transforming vehicle into a "cabrio". Thus, the term is used for describing also vehicles with more that two seats for which the roof can transform the general aspect of the car from coupe / sedan into a "cabriolet".

Most modern day production roadsters do not meet all of the above criteria. Here, the use of the name "roadster" is more of a marketing gimmick than a technical label, recalling the feeling of an open-top machine for enjoyment, like those of the past.

Old roadsters

Traditionally, roadster bodies were used on anything from a Ford Model T to a Cadillac V-16. It was a body style favored by those who preferred enjoyment to practicality. Roadster-bodied cars are popular with collectors, and are often valued higher than even other open styles.

Hot Rod Roadsters

The American Hot rod is largely based on Ford roadsters and coupes. Late Model T Fords, and 1932 Fords are by far the most popular starting points.

Modern roadsters

The roadster name experienced a resurgence in 1989 with the introduction of the Mazda Miata/MX-5. Though not roadsters in the traditional sense because their tops were permanently attached, not removeable, many manufacturers today offer "roadsters." They can be described as "convertible sports cars" because they stress driving rather than practicality. Like sports cars, modern roadsters are 2-seaters.

Originating in Italy, the term Spider described a fast, very agile two-wheeled chariot used in antiquity by the Roman army for short, quick interventions. It was commonly towed by several horses (See Gladiator (film)). In England, the word was spelled with a "y" instead of an "i" to avoid association with spiders (arachnids), becoming "Spyder". This also preserved the original pronunciation of the word in English.

Notable roadsters

Modern

• Audi TT (Germany)
• BMW Z3/Z4/Z8 (Germany)
• Cadillac XLR (U.S.A.)
• Chevrolet Corvette (U.S.A.)
• Chrysler Crossfire (U.S.A.)
• Daihatsu Copen (Japan)
• DeLaChapelle Roadster (France)
• Dodge Viper RT/10 (U.S.A.) (a "true" roadster with a very basic top, no windows, and no external door handles)
• Fiat Barchetta (Italy)
• Honda S2000 (Japan)
• Honda del Sol (Japan)
• Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster(Italy) (a "true" roadster with a very basic top)
• Lotus Elise (U.K.)
• Mazda Miata (Japan)
• Mercedes SLK (Germany)
• MG F/TF (U.K.)
• Morgan Roadster (U.K.)
• Nissan FairLady Z (Japan)
• Opel GT (Germany)
• Pontiac Solstice (U.S.A.)
• Panoz Esperante (U.S.A.)
• Porsche Boxster/911 Carrera S Cabriolet (Germany)
• Plymouth Prowler (U.S.A)
• Saturn Sky (U.S.A.)
• Smart Roadster/Roadster-Coupe (Germany)
• Suzuki Cappuccino (Japan)
• TD2000 (M'sia)
• Tesla Roadster (U.S.A.)
• Toyota MR-S (Japan)
• Vauxhall Tigra TwinTop (U.K.)
• Venturi Fétish (Monaco)

Classic

• AC Ace, Cobra (England)
• Alfa Romeo Spider (Italy)
• Austin-Healey 100, 3000, Sprite (England)
• Deusenberg (USA)
• Fiat 124 Sport Spider, Dino Spider (Italy)
• Ferrari 275 GTS, 330 GTS (Italy)
• Jaguar E Type (England)
• Lotus Seven, Elan (England)
• Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: 300SL, 230/250/280 SL (Germany)
• MG MGA, MGB, MGC, T, M, P (England)
• Porsche 550 Spyder, 914 (Germany)
• Triumph Spitfire, TR4, TR250, TR6 (England)
• TVR 3000S (England)

Gallery

See also

• Cabriolet
• Convertible
• Coupe roadster
• Hot rod
• Sports car
• Spyder
• Runabout

Roadster Pedal Toys

• Classic Reproductions of 1932 Ford Roadsters and other Vintage Pedal Car models

References