definition question: roadster?
 

what is a roadster? is it a model that is only available as a convertible? got into this discussion with a miata buddy. we were both confused.

I'd say it depends who you ask. I think it's a 2 seat (typically), open air (convertible) car....usually of a sporting/small nature.

A california roadster (or spider) is usually one that has no top at all....maybe a very temporary top for parking in rainy weather.

Then what's a speedster?

Wouldn't that be a targa top? Or possibly just a removable hardtop?

In Porsche terminology? Roadsters had taller windshields than Speedsters. Roadsters also had roll up windows, while Speedsters had only side curtains. By that definition, the Bugeye Sprite was a Speedster, as were other Brit cars of the period.

Roadster= removable windscreen. Cabrolet= welded windscreen frame. Speedster is a roadster. After the Speedster Porsche made a roadster in'59 and then turrned it into a cabrolet later. Techniacally, the Boxster is a cabrolet. They're all convertables. The Targa was the first of its kind, I believe.

Then you have spiders (Italian), Phaetons and drop heads (British)

I don't know, Zeke... an awfully lot of manufacturers use the word "roadster" without removable windscreens

Cabriolet - any convertable
Roadster - small 2 seater convertable, purpose built (the 911 Cabrio was first built as a coupe, but the Boxster wasn't, so the Boxster is a roadster but the 911 Cab isn't)

Morgan was (is, I guess) a roadster then.

What about the 550(A)? Spyder....?

I'm starting to think they just used the different terms to differentiate models but with no real method to their madness.

i have always attributed the roadster name to 2 seater convertables that were designed to be convertables (no coupe version)

550A
Boxster
Speedster
MGB
Morgan
Austin-Healy sprite

Quote:
"Cabriolet - any convertable
Roadster - small 2 seater convertable, purpose built (the 911 Cabrio was first built as a coupe, but the Boxster wasn't, so the Boxster is a roadster but the 911 Cab isn't)"

I agree with the Cab part but not 100% with the Roadster definition. The Mercedes SLs were built as both or either....lol. What I mean is the 300 SL was a Roadster yet the 300 Gullwing was not....they were in many ways the same car. The 60's - present day SLs (113,107,159 chassis etc) are designed with a removable (or retractable) hard top and are designated as Roadster/Coupes. IMO, roadster has a loose definition and is open to different interpretations.

One of the Porsche rags had an article on the origins of the word Cabriolet. Actually they over-explained it. It's basically french for a cart (carriage) with a folding hood (top).

Speedster has always meant chopped windshield frame to me.

Spyder (Spider) seems to be a flashy name for a Convertible sports car...used at the manufacturers discretion.

Roadster : Removable windscreen, Side curtains and unlined folding top

Cabriolet : Windscreen frame is part of the bodywork, Roll up side windows, Padded and Lined Folding top.