convertible or roadster???
09-26-2005, 09:25 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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convertible or roadster???
need forum members to help settle a bar bet. what's the difference between a roadster and a convertible?
my friend says any two seat convertible is a roadster. by that definition all convertible vettes would be roadsters. i disagree. i've always been told a roadster is a convertible BUT HAS NO RAGTOP (can have a removable "shell" like the old C-2's had).
forum member opinions please.
my friend says any two seat convertible is a roadster. by that definition all convertible vettes would be roadsters. i disagree. i've always been told a roadster is a convertible BUT HAS NO RAGTOP (can have a removable "shell" like the old C-2's had).
forum member opinions please.
09-26-2005, 09:30 PM
#2
As far as I know, the Corvette has always been called a "roadster"...
road·ster ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rdstr)
n.
An open automobile having a single seat in the front for two or three people and a rumble seat or luggage compartment in the back.
A horse for riding on a road.
con·vert·i·ble ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kn-vûrt-bl)
adj.
1)That can be converted: a convertible sofa bed.
2)Having a top that can be folded back or removed:
3)a convertible automobile.
Abbr. cvt. Lawfully exchangeable for gold or another currency: dollars convertible into yen.
n.
1)Something that can be converted.
2)A convertible automobile.
3)A convertible security.
road·ster ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rdstr)
n.
An open automobile having a single seat in the front for two or three people and a rumble seat or luggage compartment in the back.
A horse for riding on a road.
con·vert·i·ble ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kn-vûrt-bl)
adj.
1)That can be converted: a convertible sofa bed.
2)Having a top that can be folded back or removed:
3)a convertible automobile.
Abbr. cvt. Lawfully exchangeable for gold or another currency: dollars convertible into yen.
n.
1)Something that can be converted.
2)A convertible automobile.
3)A convertible security.
09-26-2005, 09:36 PM
#3
Race Director
This has been discussed alot here.
But, to me a roadstere is a two seat convertible that does not have roll up windows, uses side curtins. Like the old MGs and the first Corvette.
Roll up windows, you have a convertible.
tom...
But, to me a roadstere is a two seat convertible that does not have roll up windows, uses side curtins. Like the old MGs and the first Corvette.
Roll up windows, you have a convertible.
tom...
09-26-2005, 10:01 PM
#4
Drifting
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Roadster was the ragtop choice for corvette.
Corvette roadster.
You can remove the included ragtop.
I'm pretty sure it could be ordered, without the ragtop, without the ragtop but with the hardtop, with the hard top and ragtop.
The actual meaning is meaningless since I've seen 2 door sedans for sale and sports cars with a rear bench seat. Car companies call stuff whatever they want. Like Sport Utility Vehicles. They aren't sport and they aren't utility. They are tall station wagons men aren't ashamed to be seen in as compared to minivans.
Corvette roadster.
You can remove the included ragtop.
I'm pretty sure it could be ordered, without the ragtop, without the ragtop but with the hardtop, with the hard top and ragtop.
The actual meaning is meaningless since I've seen 2 door sedans for sale and sports cars with a rear bench seat. Car companies call stuff whatever they want. Like Sport Utility Vehicles. They aren't sport and they aren't utility. They are tall station wagons men aren't ashamed to be seen in as compared to minivans.
09-26-2005, 10:07 PM
#5
I belive that ragtop corvettes are convertibles, not roadsters.
And I would agree with Tom73, a roadstere is a two seat convertible that does not have roll up windows
And I would agree with Tom73, a roadstere is a two seat convertible that does not have roll up windows
Last edited by RC73; 09-26-2005 at 10:09 PM.
09-27-2005, 03:22 AM
#8
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St. Jude Donor '09
cabriolet
Original meaning
A cabriolet was a light, two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with a folding 'calash' top, seating two persons behind the driver's box. Developed in France in the early 19th century, the vehicle quickly replaced the heavier hackney carriage as the vehicle for hire of choice in Paris and London. The modern term (taxi)cab comes from "cabriolet" via "Hansom cab".
Modern meaning
A cabriolet (or cabrio) is a car body style that has a removable or retracting roof and rear window, known in America more commonly as "convertible". Soft tops are usually made of vinyl or canvas, and folding plastic rear windows are common. Owing to the issue of body flex, cabriolets almost always have only two doors.
I always thought a roadster had no top at all...
Original meaning
A cabriolet was a light, two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with a folding 'calash' top, seating two persons behind the driver's box. Developed in France in the early 19th century, the vehicle quickly replaced the heavier hackney carriage as the vehicle for hire of choice in Paris and London. The modern term (taxi)cab comes from "cabriolet" via "Hansom cab".
Modern meaning
A cabriolet (or cabrio) is a car body style that has a removable or retracting roof and rear window, known in America more commonly as "convertible". Soft tops are usually made of vinyl or canvas, and folding plastic rear windows are common. Owing to the issue of body flex, cabriolets almost always have only two doors.
I always thought a roadster had no top at all...
09-27-2005, 06:46 AM
#9
Safety Car
I was down at the National Corvette Museum once and that was the trivia question, How many years were the Corvette a true roadster? The answer was three; 53-55. The reason was a roadster does not have roll up windows.
09-27-2005, 10:31 AM
#11
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Back in the 30's Ford (among others, but my dad has a 36 ford so I know about these) had both roadsters and cabriolets(what are considered modern day verts)
The Roadster had a bolt on Windshield and no wind up windows so the lines on the door were smooth with no opening. It was a style choice, but during the mid 30's the cabriolet took over in popularity due the a safer structure of the windshield and better lousy weather protection of glass windows, etc.
True Roadsters have no windup windows, but did have tops, the first Viper was a Roadster as it had window curtains instead of windup windows(if I remember correctly)
The Roadster had a bolt on Windshield and no wind up windows so the lines on the door were smooth with no opening. It was a style choice, but during the mid 30's the cabriolet took over in popularity due the a safer structure of the windshield and better lousy weather protection of glass windows, etc.
True Roadsters have no windup windows, but did have tops, the first Viper was a Roadster as it had window curtains instead of windup windows(if I remember correctly)
09-27-2005, 11:28 AM
#15
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by ksbunting
Paul,
How about we hunt you down and remove your rollup windows????
(working on getting the speakers installed now; getting close)
Kurt
How about we hunt you down and remove your rollup windows????
(working on getting the speakers installed now; getting close)
Kurt
You'll be cruisin' soon now, Kurt!
09-27-2005, 08:19 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by Z-man
My windows were broken once, so I guess then I had a roadster. Now they're working, so back to a convertible. Right?? 
09-27-2005, 09:00 PM
#19
Race Director
Originally Posted by Tom73
This has been discussed alot here.
But, to me a roadstere is a two seat convertible that does not have roll up windows, uses side curtins. Like the old MGs and the first Corvette.
Roll up windows, you have a convertible.
tom...
But, to me a roadstere is a two seat convertible that does not have roll up windows, uses side curtins. Like the old MGs and the first Corvette.
Roll up windows, you have a convertible.
tom...
