Roadster

Encyclopedia : R : RO : ROA : Roadster

---

---

 

This article is about the roadster car body style. For the bicycle type, see Roadster (bicycle).

Roadster is the North American term for a frontal mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, 2-seater, open car, traditionally without side windows (possibly with pluggable doortops), so that even with the lightweight convertible top raised the driver and passenger remain exposed to the elements. In modern times, the word is often used to describe a two-seat convertible without fixed window frames, especially a light-weight sports car. Here, the use of the name roadster is more a marketing than a technical one, invoking 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 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 (Germany)
• Chrysler Crossfire (USA)
• Fiat Barchetta (Italy)
• Honda S2000 (Japan)
• Mazda Miata (Japan)
• Mercedes SLK (Germany)
• MG F/TF (England)
• Nissan 350Z (Japan)
• Pontiac Solstice (USA)
• Porsche Boxster (Germany)
• Toyota MR2-Spyder (Japan)
• Saturn Sky (USA)
• smart Roadster/Roadster-Coupe (Germany)

See also

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

 

---

From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.

---

Search Titles

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

?