Roadster
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Roadster is the North American term for a 2-seater without a permanent top and without rollup windows (if it has rollup windows it is a cabriolet, not a roadster), and the windshield is bolt on rather than integrated as in modern cars. Even with the lightweight convertible top raised and the clear plastic "windows" 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 car had roll-up side windows instead of removable windows (usually called sidecurtains in America). In modern times, the word is often used to describe a two-seat convertible without fixed window frames, especially a light-weight sports car. Most modern day production "roadsters" only meet one of the three criteria. Here, the use of the name roadster is more a marketing gimmick than a technical label, invoking the feeling of an open-top machine for enjoyment, like those of the past.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Modern roadsters
The roadster name experienced a resurgence in 1990 with the introduction of the Mazda Miata/MX-5. Though not roadsters in the traditional open sense, 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 or 2+2.
While some makes prefer the word Spyder for a completely open-topped vehicle, Italian makes favor the term Barchetta, which means "small boat". The term "Spyder" originated from a small two-seat horse-cart with a folding sunshade made of four bows. With its black cloth top and exposed sides for air circulation, it resembled an eight-legged spider.
Notable modern roadsters are:
- Audi TT (Germany)
- BMW Z3/Z4/Z8 (Germany)
- Cadillac XLR (USA)
- Chevrolet Corvette (USA)
- Chrysler Crossfire (USA)
- Daihatsu Copen (Japan)
- Fiat Barchetta (Italy)
- Honda S2000 (Japan)
- Mazda Miata (Japan)
- Mercedes SLK (Germany)
- MG F/TF (England)
- Morgan Roadster (England)
- Nissan 350Z (Japan)
- Pontiac Solstice (USA)
- Porsche Boxster (Germany)
- Saturn Sky (USA)
- smart Roadster/Roadster-Coupe (Germany)
- Tesla Roadster (USA)
- Toyota MR2 (Japan)
 Audi TT Roadster |
 BMW Z3 |
 BMW Z4 Roadster |
 Cadillac XLR (2006) |
 Chrysler Crossfire |
 Fiat Barchetta |
 Honda S2000 |
 Mercedes-Benz SL65) |
 Pontiac Solstice (2006) |
 Porsche Boxster (2002) |
 Tesla Roadster (2007) |
