I've seen this discussion come up quite a bit (I'd even be afraid to go back to
the archives and search on "roadster"). Never thought I'd participate in the
discussion, but I'm just wondering: what difference does it make? :-) I say
"to-may-toe," you say "to-mah-toe." It isn't like my '75 is any less spartan
than a '59 Sprite. I mean, we're just talking roll up windows, a bit of trim,
a trunk lid, and an attached top, not MacPherson Struts, a V-10, and an
18-speaker sound system. Hardly needs a different term to describe it. Just
my .02.
adrian
Herb_Goede@amsinc.com wrote:
> The definitions of roadster/convertible were designations of their day. At
> the time a convertible (meaning a car with a fold down top and wind up
> windows was more desireable and more expensive due to the increased
> complexity. A roadster was more spartan and less refined.
>
> Evidently the marketing types started to think the term roadster sounded
> more appealing after "true" new production "roadsters" became few and far
> between. I do not know of any "true" roadsters that are being produced
> other than the Caterham.
>
> May I propose that you use the venacular of the time that the car was
> produced. If you are talking about an early Sprite or Midget it should be
> a roadster if the top comes off; convertible if it folds down.
>
> Herb G.
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J. Adrian Barnes
Business Information Group
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