Body types

[Harold]

Maybe I'm a bit picky, but I feel that a Mazda Miata (or any other two seater with a proper top and all- weather protection) is a convertible, not a roadster. The first Corvettes and the first- gen Viper are proper roadsters- no side glass, and a top that will barely keep you dry in the rain. That is also the difference between a '32 Ford roadster and a '32 Ford convertible. As for the difference between coupes and hardtops a coupe has a fixed b- post and a hardtop doesn't. A '66 Falcon 2- door is a coupe, whereas a '66 Mustang notchback is a hardtop. That is all...

[Greg Myers]

So this would be a "hard top" ?

[seeker589]

Maybe I'm a bit picky, but I feel that a Mazda Miata (or any other two seater with a proper top and all- weather protection) is a convertible, not a roadster. The first Corvettes and the first- gen Viper are proper roadsters- no side glass, and a top that will barely keep you dry in the rain. That is also the difference between a '32 Ford roadster and a '32 Ford convertible. As for the difference between coupes and hardtops a coupe has a fixed b- post and a hardtop doesn't. A '66 Falcon 2- door is a coupe, whereas a '66 Mustang notchback is a hardtop. That is all...

I was under the impression that "Roadster" ment Removable windshield,soft-top and no roll-up side glass. Convertible (cabriolet) ment fixed windshield and roll-up side glass with a soft-top. Coupe means a tin roof with no B-pillar. Sedan - tin-top and B-pillar.

The current car manufacturers will use any name or tag-line they can to sell cars. I saw a full sized Buick hard top with one of those canvas add-on tops with the word "Roadster" plastered on the trunk. If the words "festering cow dung" would sell cars - they'd use it!

Good subject.

So this would be a "hard top" ?

Liberally used - maybe.

[Harold]

So this would be a "hard top" ?

Nope, its a coupe. I forgot to mention that coupes and sedans (4- doors) have a fixed b- post and framing around the door glass. Hardtops originated at GM in '48. It was a fixed 'hard top' that gave the illusion of a convertible with its top up.

[whale392]

Hardtop: No casing around the door windows and NO B-Pillar

Coupe: No casing around the door windows and a fixed B-Pillar

Sedan: Cased door windows and a fixed B-Pillar

Convertible: Usually either a coupe or Hardtop body modified by removing the hard roof, with a dropping/stowing roof

Roadster: a 2dr that has NO provisions for storing a down-top but was built as an open-roofed car

Edited June 24, 2011 by whale392

[MrObsessive]

Yes, but I remember seeing old ads for '55 Chevy Bel Airs where GM referred to hardtops (no B pillar) as "Sport Coupes".

Maybe the "sport" to them was it had no B pillar?? Also, my Saturn Ion Coupe in ads (suicide rear doors) was referred to as a hardtop, simply because when all four doors are opened..........there's no inside pillar. Yet, I have frames on all the doors..........Go figure!

[Harry P.]

Nope, its a coupe. I forgot to mention that coupes and sedans (4- doors) have a fixed b- post and framing around the door glass.

My car is definitely a coupe, and it has no framing around the door glass.

The terms coupe, roadster, sedan, etc. all can be traced back to the days of horse-drawn carriages. That's when most of these terms originated, and were used to describe a certain carriage style or configuration. The terms were carried over when cars began replacing carriages, but the exact meanings and definitions have changed over time.

Just a few carriage names that were carried over to automobiles:

Brougham, Cabriolet, Coupe, Station Wagon, Limousine, Landau. Phaeton.

[seeker589]

Hardtop: No casing around the door windows and NO B-Pillar

Coupe: No casing around the door windows and a fixed B-Pillar

Sedan: Cased door windows and a fixed B-Pillar

Convertible: Usually either a coupe or Hardtop body modified by removing the hard roof, with a dropping/stowing roof

Roadster: a 2dr that has NO provisions for storing a down-top but was built as an open-roofed car

OK

I have an Acura Integra. It has no casing around any of it's four doors but it DOES have a fixed B-pillar.

Is it a coupeish sedan? Or a Sedanish coupe?

Now I have a complex - the car is as much of a misfit as I am! Like I need more anxiety!

[Harold]

My car is definitely a coupe, and it has no framing around the door glass.

The terms coupe, roadster, sedan, etc. all can be traced back to the days of horse-drawn carriages. That's when most of these terms originated, and were used to describe a certain carriage style or configuration. The terms were carried over when cars began replacing carriages, but the exact meanings and definitions have changed over time.

Just a few carriage names that were carried over to automobiles:

Brougham, Cabriolet, Coupe, Station Wagon, Limousine, Landau. Phaeton.

My Grand Prix is a coupe. It has the aircraft style doors that cut into the roof.

[charlie8575]

OK

I have an Acura Integra. It has no casing around any of it's four doors but it DOES have a fixed B-pillar.

Is it a coupeish sedan? Or a Sedanish coupe?

Now I have a complex - the car is as much of a misfit as I am! Like I need more anxiety!

Ford used to call those "pillared hardtops" in the 1970s.

Works for me.

Charlie Larkin

[crazyjim]

I made it easy on myself - I have a Nissan Frontier pickup truck.

[Agent G]

I was gonna say tall and leggy, but then, well you know..........

G

[crazyjim]

I like your idea, Wayne - tall and leggy.

[Harry P.]

I like your idea, Wayne - tall and leggy.

So you guys are both into NBA players?

[jeffs396]

Or giraffes