Roadster Terminology
09-21-2006, 09:19 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Roadster Terminology
I've always wondered if cloth top Vettes should be referred to as convertibles or roadsters. I like the sound of roadster, but I always thought that roadsters were cars without any top. Maybe since there is no "pillow" look and everything folds out of sight, then it appears to be a roadster. Any thoughts or facts on this.
09-21-2006, 09:22 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
09-21-2006, 09:23 PM
#3
Instructor
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Waterbury Connecticut
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Siveck
I've always wondered if cloth top Vettes should be referred to as convertibles or roadsters. I like the sound of roadster, but I always thought that roadsters were cars without any top. Maybe since there is no "pillow" look and everything folds out of sight, then it appears to be a roadster. Any thoughts or facts on this.
09-21-2006, 09:28 PM
#5
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,111
Received 2,485 Likes
on
1,947 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Oh, just call it a "drop top", and be done with it. 
All similar terms, but some PREFER "roadster" to convertible, for terminology.
All similar terms, but some PREFER "roadster" to convertible, for terminology.
09-21-2006, 09:48 PM
#6
Instructor
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Waterbury Connecticut
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Oh, just call it a "drop top", and be done with it. All similar terms, but some PREFER "roadster" to convertible, for terminology.
All similar terms, but some PREFER "roadster" to convertible, for terminology.
09-21-2006, 10:02 PM
#8
Race Director
Back in the 60s when I owned a 65 vert the local Corvette Club called them roadsters. I call my 96 a convertible or vert now though.
09-21-2006, 10:08 PM
#9
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
Posts: 59,672
Received 1,404 Likes
on
1,019 Posts
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Technically a 'roadster' is any car whose top can be stored in the trunk. This technically makes all C4s roadsters. The terms 'convertible', 'roadster', and 'cabriolet' all have different technical meanings that have melded together since they were originally invented, and some manufacturers have picked one and stuck with it over the decades. If you ever talk to a serious car-collector, they'll tell you all the differences.
09-21-2006, 10:40 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2004
Location: Why are there squished peanut butter cups in my underware?
Posts: 7,276
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Originally Posted by 87vette
I could've sworn I saw somewhere that early C4 verts were called Roadsters.
09-21-2006, 11:32 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Feb 1999
Location: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
St. Jude Donor '10
To add to the confusion; there are several models of the Harley-Davidson Sportster designated as "roadsters". Also woulden`t the Callaway Speedsters be considered roadsters??
09-22-2006, 07:11 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Apr 2005
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid
IMO, a two seat convertible is a roadster, end of story.
Especially when the roadsters like ours don't have that ugly "boot" that some of the old convertibles had hanging out there in back.
09-22-2006, 01:23 PM
#19
Drifting
Originally Posted by jrzvette
Most people use the terms interchangeably, but technically a roadster is an open car that does not have side windows.
