Convertible or roadster
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Convertible or roadster
Why is it that some Corvette owners refer to their convertible as a roadster and others don't
What is the difference? I thought Roadsters were old Fords?
What is the difference? I thought Roadsters were old Fords?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
Technically, a roadster has no top or side windows. So if your Corvette has a convertible top and side windows, it's a "convertible". The NCRS frowns upon the use of the word roadster when referring to Corvettes. I don't worry about it and just call it a roadster.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
I always thought if it has glass rollup windows it's a convertible. If it has side curtains, like the '53-'55 Corvettes, it's a roadster. But you know what they say about opinions.
Cheers,
Pete
Cheers,
Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,664
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From: Nashville TN
I always thought that roadsters didnt come off the production line in coupe form, all were roadsters. Now convertibles were the ones with removable/convertible tops when you had a choice in coupe or convertibles. But I was also born in 74 so im too young to know hahaha.
The other choices makes sense.
The other choices makes sense.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,477
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
My oninion - Roadster has no fabric top installed at all but a convert has a fabric top. Hard tops were optional.
I think you could order an early Vette as a roadster (no fabric top equipment) or as a convertable (with fabric top). C2's could also be ordered as coupes. C3's are all either a convertable or a t-top as there were no roadsters during that time.
I might be totaly off-base with this but that is what I recall.
-Mark.
I think you could order an early Vette as a roadster (no fabric top equipment) or as a convertable (with fabric top). C2's could also be ordered as coupes. C3's are all either a convertable or a t-top as there were no roadsters during that time.
I might be totaly off-base with this but that is what I recall.
-Mark.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,088
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From: NC
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
PETE,
YOUR CORRECT.
EARLY ON HENRY FORD SOLD HIS CARS WITH A DROP DOWN TOP, TWO DOORS, AND SIDE CURTAINS AS "ROADSTERS".
IF YOUR NEW FORD HAD ROLL UP WINDOWS AND A TOP THAT WOULD GO DOWN IT WAS A "CABRIOLET".
IF IT HAD ROLL DOWN WINDOWS AND A SOFT TOP THAT WOULD NOT GO DOWN IT WAS SOLD AS A "SPORT COUPE".
MY DAD COLLECTED 1932 FORDS AND HAD SEVERAL "DEARBORN" QUALITY '32's. I GREW UP CHASING '32 PARTS.
BILL SR
Administrator
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
To be absolutely picky, they are "convertibles" as opposed to roadsters. Corvette people have called them roadsters forever, though.
However, many different marques put their own spin on some terms... for example, Lamborghini people call Murcielago and Diablo models with lift-off roof panels "roadsters" when in fact they are not even a convertible. Corvette people would call those cars coupes or targa tops.
Don't get too nuts over it. As long as you don't say "vert," you are OK.
However, many different marques put their own spin on some terms... for example, Lamborghini people call Murcielago and Diablo models with lift-off roof panels "roadsters" when in fact they are not even a convertible. Corvette people would call those cars coupes or targa tops.
Don't get too nuts over it. As long as you don't say "vert," you are OK.
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Pro
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From: Midwest
My oninion - Roadster has no fabric top installed at all but a convert has a fabric top. Hard tops were optional.
I think you could order an early Vette as a roadster (no fabric top equipment) or as a convertable (with fabric top). C2's could also be ordered as coupes. C3's are all either a convertable or a t-top as there were no roadsters during that time.
I might be totaly off-base with this but that is what I recall.
-Mark.
I think you could order an early Vette as a roadster (no fabric top equipment) or as a convertable (with fabric top). C2's could also be ordered as coupes. C3's are all either a convertable or a t-top as there were no roadsters during that time.
I might be totaly off-base with this but that is what I recall.
-Mark.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
You call them what they began as. 'Roadsters'....Coupes were not really introduced until the 1963 model. 
Newbees and girliemen would refer to them as convertibles because they dont know any difference or better.. Those that grew up in and with Vettes prefer tp call them correctly as "roadsters";
Newbees and girliemen would refer to them as convertibles because they dont know any difference or better.. Those that grew up in and with Vettes prefer tp call them correctly as "roadsters";
Last edited by Ironcross; Jul 24, 2008 at 06:38 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
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From: Schererville IN
Y'all got me confused now!
I understood it as if it has a top that folds down (converts) it would be called a convertible. If it comes from the factory with no folding down top at all, it would be a roadster. Calling a convertible a roadster is just wrong IMO. They are definately two different animals.
You can also go into discussion about roll up windows, side curtains, or no side windows.
And there you have it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
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From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
PETE,
YOUR CORRECT.
EARLY ON HENRY FORD SOLD HIS CARS WITH A DROP DOWN TOP, TWO DOORS, AND SIDE CURTAINS AS "ROADSTERS".
IF YOUR NEW FORD HAD ROLL UP WINDOWS AND A TOP THAT WOULD GO DOWN IT WAS A "CABRIOLET".
IF IT HAD ROLL DOWN WINDOWS AND A SOFT TOP THAT WOULD NOT GO DOWN IT WAS SOLD AS A "SPORT COUPE".
BILL SR
YOUR CORRECT.
EARLY ON HENRY FORD SOLD HIS CARS WITH A DROP DOWN TOP, TWO DOORS, AND SIDE CURTAINS AS "ROADSTERS".
IF YOUR NEW FORD HAD ROLL UP WINDOWS AND A TOP THAT WOULD GO DOWN IT WAS A "CABRIOLET".
IF IT HAD ROLL DOWN WINDOWS AND A SOFT TOP THAT WOULD NOT GO DOWN IT WAS SOLD AS A "SPORT COUPE".
BILL SR
, according to the dictionary; "an automobile with an open body that seats two and has a folding fabric top and often a luggage compartment or rumble seat in the rear."
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Kannapolis NC
I just don't see what difference it makes. Call it what you like. It won't affect the price or the pleasure. Personally I type vert because it's shorter than convertible. Like " R U going 2" and "lol" and "imho", etc. It doesn't mean that I'm making a statement or don't know what I have. The main difference I see, a convertible can have a back seat, roadsters not so much.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
I just don't see what difference it makes. Call it what you like. It won't affect the price or the pleasure. Personally I type vert because it's shorter than convertible. Like " R U going 2" and "lol" and "imho", etc. It doesn't mean that I'm making a statement or don't know what I have. The main difference I see, a convertible can have a back seat, roadsters not so much.
(2 seater with removable top=roadster)
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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