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Roadster

 
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A roadster, also known as a spyder or spider, is a two-seater car, traditionally without a roof (or with a detachable roof) and no side or rear windows. Modern day two-seaters commonly have windows and feature retractable roofs (and are thus convertible
Convertible

A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle. Many different car body styles are manufactured and marketed in convertible form....
s).






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1950 Jaguar Xk120 34
A roadster, also known as a spyder or spider, is a two-seater car, traditionally without a roof (or with a detachable roof) and no side or rear windows. Modern day two-seaters commonly have windows and feature retractable roofs (and are thus convertible
Convertible

A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle. Many different car body styles are manufactured and marketed in convertible form....
s). While retractable soft-tops are still marketed as roadsters/spyders, retractable hard-tops are commonly designated as coupe roadsters.

History

1932 Duesenberg J Murphy Coupe Convertible

Old roadsters

Traditionally, roadster bodies were used on anything from a Ford Model T
Ford Model T

The Ford Model T was an automobile produced by Henry Ford's Ford Motor Company from 1908 through 1927. The Model T set 1908 as the historic year that the automobile came into popular usage....
 to a Cadillac V-16
Cadillac V-16

The Cadillac V-16 was Cadillac 's top-of-the-line car from its January 1930 launch until production ceased in 1940 as the World War II killed sales....
. They are popular with collectors, and are often valued higher than even other open styles.

Hot rod roadsters

The American hot rod
Hot rod

Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. Nobody knows for sure the origin of the term "hot rod." One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a Roadster that was modified for speed....
 is largely based on Ford roadsters and coupes. Late Model Ts and 1932 Fords are the most popular starting points.

Modern roadsters

The introduction of the Mazda MX-5
Mazda MX-5

The Mazda MX-5, also known as Miata in North America and Roadster in Japan, is a two-seater roadster sports car built by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan – introduced in 1989 and now in its third generation....
 in 1989 is largely credited with the resurgence in the market for roadsters.

See also

  • Barchetta
    Barchetta

    A barchetta?the word is Italian for "little boat"?was originally an Italian style of open 2-seater sports car that was built for racing. Weight and wind-resistance were kept to a minimum, and any unnecessary equipment or decoration was sacrificed to performance....
    , a related two-seater body style designed primarily for racing
  • Convertible
    Convertible

    A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle. Many different car body styles are manufactured and marketed in convertible form....
    , the general term to describe vehicles with retractable roofs
  • Hot rod
    Hot rod

    Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. Nobody knows for sure the origin of the term "hot rod." One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a Roadster that was modified for speed....