Roadster
519878
223960009
2008-07-06T18:28:52Z
91.47.106.194
/* Classic */
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Other_2.jpg|right|thumb|250px|1932 [[Ford Model 18]] roadster with top]] --><!--[[Image:Bolt_on.jpg|right|thumb|250px|1932 [[ford model 18]] roadster winshield, posts and mirror]]-->
[[Image:1950 Jaguar XK120 34.jpg|right|thumb|320px|1950 [[Jaguar XK120]] Roadster]]
{{Otheruses4|the car body style|}}
'''Roadster''' is the [[North America]]n 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===
[[Image:1932 Duesenberg J Murphy coupe convertible.jpg|left|thumb|280px|1932 Duesenberg J Murphy-bodied roadster -- "It's a Duesy"]]
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|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 car]]s" 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===
[[Image:Mercedes SL55 R230.jpg|right|thumb|250px| [[Mercedes-Benz]] SL65 [[Mercedes-AMG|AMG]] ([[Mercedes-Benz R230|R230]])]]
*[[Audi TT]] (Germany)
*[[BMW Z3]]/[[BMW Z4|Z4]]/[[BMW Z8|Z8]] (Germany)
*[[Cadillac XLR]] (U.S.A.)
*[[Chevrolet Corvette]] (U.S.A.)
*[[Chrysler Crossfire]] (U.S.A.)
*[[Daihatsu Copen]] (Japan)
*[[De La Chapelle|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 CR-X del Sol|Honda del Sol]] (Japan)
*[[Lamborghini Murcielago]] Roadster(Italy) (a "true" roadster with a very basic top)
*[[Lotus Elise]] (U.K.)
*[[Mazda Miata]] (Japan)
*[[Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class|Mercedes SLK]] (Germany)
*[[MG F|MG F/TF]] (U.K.)
*[[Morgan Roadster]] (U.K.)
*[[Nissan 350Z|Nissan FairLady Z]] (Japan)
*[[Opel GT]] (Germany)
*[[Pontiac Solstice]] (U.S.A.)
*[[Panoz Esperante]] (U.S.A.)
*[[Porsche Boxster]]/[[Porsche 997|911 Carrera S Cabriolet]] (Germany)
*[[Plymouth Prowler]] (U.S.A)
*[[Saturn Sky]] (U.S.A.)
*[[Smart Roadster|Smart Roadster/Roadster-Coupe]] (Germany)
*[[Suzuki Cappuccino]] (Japan)
*[[TD2000]] (M'sia)
*[[Tesla Roadster]] (U.S.A.)
*[[Toyota MR-S]] (Japan)
*[[Opel Tigra|Vauxhall Tigra TwinTop]] (U.K.)
*[[Venturi Fétish]] (France)
===Classic===
* [[AC Cars|AC]] [[AC Ace|Ace]], [[AC Cobra|Cobra]] (England)
* [[Alfa Romeo Spider]] (Italy)
* [[Austin-Healey]] [[Austin-Healey 100|100]], [[Austin-Healey 3000|3000]], [[Austin-Healey Sprite|Sprite]] (England)
* [[Duesenberg]] (USA)
* [[Fiat]] [[Fiat 124 Sport Spider|124 Sport Spider]], [[Fiat Dino|Dino]] Spider (Italy)
* [[Ferrari]] [[Ferrari 275|275 GTS]], [[Ferrari 330|330 GTS]] (Italy)
* [[Jaguar E Type]] (England)
* [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]] [[Lotus Seven|Seven]], [[Lotus Elan|Elan]] (England)
* [[Mercedes-Benz]] [[Mercedes-Benz SL-Class|SL-Class]]: [[Mercedes-Benz 300SL|300SL]], [[Mercedes-Benz W113|230/250/280 SL]] (Germany)
* [[MG (car)|MG]] [[MG MGA|MGA]], [[MG MGB|MGB]], [[MG MGC|MGC]], [[MG T|T]], [[MG M|M]], [[MG P|P]] (England)
* [[Porsche]] [[Porsche 550|550 Spyder]], [[Porsche 914|914]] (Germany)
* [[Triumph Motor Company|Triumph]] [[Triumph Spitfire|Spitfire]], [[Triumph TR4|TR4]], [[Triumph TR250|TR250]], [[Triumph TR6|TR6]] (England)
* [[TVR]] [[TVR 3000S|3000S]] (England)
* [[Wiesmann]] [[Wiesmann#MF_30|MF 30]] (Germany)
<!-- please put some classic roadster models here, someone-->
===Gallery===
<gallery>
Image:Alfa romeo spider serie4 open.jpg|[[Alfa Romeo Spider]] (1992)
Image:Audi.tt.arp.750pix.jpg|Audi TT Roadster
Image:Bmwz8.JPG|BMW Z8 (2001)
Image:BMW Z3 black vl.jpg|BMW Z3
Image:Bmwz4.JPG|BMW Z4 Roadster
Image:Cadillac XLR 2006.jpg|Cadillac XLR (2004)
Image:Chrysler Crossfire Cabrio black vr.jpg|Chrysler Crossfire
Image:Fiat Barchetta black hl.jpg|Fiat Barchetta
Image:Honda S2000 1.JPG|Honda S2000
Image:2006 Mazda MX-5.jpg|Mazda MX-5/Miata (2007)
Image:Mercedes_SL55_R230.jpg| [[Mercedes-Benz]] SL65
Image:Mercedes-Benz-SLK-350.jpg| [[Mercedes-Benz]] SLK350
Image:2006 Pontiac Solstice side.jpg|Pontiac Solstice (2006)
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:Saturn Sky.jpg|Saturn Sky (2007) -->
Image:Boxster model 2002.jpg|Porsche Boxster (2002)
Image:TeslaRoadster-front.jpg|[[Tesla Roadster]] (2007)
Image:My_TD_10.jpg|[[TD2000]] Silverstone (2003)
</gallery>
==See also==
* [[Cabriolet]]
* [[Convertible]]
* [[Coupe roadster]]
* [[Hot rod]]
* [[Sports car]]
* [[Spyder]]
* [[Runabout (car)|Runabout]]
==Roadster Pedal Toys==
*[http://www.PoweredByPedals.com/ Classic Reproductions of 1932 Ford Roadsters and other Vintage Pedal Car models]
==References==
{{Unreferenced|date=February 2007}}
[[Category:Roadsters| ]]
[[Category:Car classifications]]
[[Category:Car body styles]]
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