roadsters do not have a back seat. convertibles can have a rear seat.
Vert or Roadster
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Anymore, I just call them verts. Makes it simple that way.
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When I started with Corvettes in '55, they were two seat sportscars (though British sportscar owners would challenge the word sportscar) with a folding top and plastic plug in windows that were not easily converted. I'd call them Roadsters after the traditional meaning of the term. In '56, they came with roll-up windows an optional Hardtop and power soft top, which made them more convertible. So it all a matter of semantics. Plus, I never heard the term "Vert" until I saw it used on this Forum. 
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From: Parrish FL
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I have made the switch from calling them roadsters to calling them verts. At one time the 63 - 67's were called "Mid Years" and the 68 - 82's were called "late models". I think that terminology changed when the the
C4's were introduced.
C4's were introduced.
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Drifting
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From: Redding California
Originally Posted by sxe60
When I started with Corvettes in '55, they were two seat sportscars (though British sportscar owners would challenge the word sportscar) with a folding top and plastic plug in windows that were not easily converted. I'd call them Roadsters after the traditional meaning of the term. In '56, they came with roll-up windows an optional Hardtop and power soft top, which made them more convertible. So it all a matter of semantics. Plus, I never heard the term "Vert" until I saw it used on this Forum.
Then they made what was refered to as a "Drop Head Coupe" (DHC). It was plusher in that it had rollup side windows and a "convertible top".
(A coupe being defined as any 2 door car as opposed to a 4 door sedan)
The solid roof versions were refered to as "Fixed Head Coupes" (FHC).
I guess no one makes a pure "roadster" anymore as most people demand at least side windows and the option of a roof over their head when needed. So I guess that today's convertibles are Drop Head Coupes......or "convertible tops", which has been abbreviated to just "Convertible, and then to 'Vert.
The Current Corvette "Fixed Head Coupe" (FHC) is now called a Fixed Roof Coupe (FRC) but means the same thing.
Last edited by allred; Nov 28, 2006 at 05:32 PM.
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From: Oakville ON "Real Corvettes have folding tops..."
Originally Posted by qtcoupe
In earlier times
folding top, No roll up windows= Roadster
folding top roll up windows = convertible or cabriolet
folding top, No roll up windows= Roadster
folding top roll up windows = convertible or cabriolet
I've only heard the term "vert" here.
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This sounds good
This article is about the roadster car body style. For the bicycle type, see Roadster (bicycle). Roadster is the North American term for a 2-seater without a permanent top and without rollup windows (if it has rollup windows it is a cabriolet, not a roadster), and the windshield is bolt on rather than integrated as in modern cars. even with the lightweight convertible top raised and the clear plastic "windows" snapped in, the driver and passenger remain somewhat exposed to the elements. "Convertible" is an abbreviation of "convertible coupe" or "convertible sedan" which in 1920s-30s parlance indicated that the car had roll-up side windows instead of removable windows (usually called sidecurtains in America). In modern times, the word is often used to describe a two-seat convertible without fixed window frames, especially a light-weight sports car. Most modern day production "roadsters" only meet one of the three criteria. Here, the use of the name roadster is more a marketing gimmick than a technical label, invoking the feeling of an open-top machine for enjoyment, like those of the past.
The full article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadster
The full article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadster
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From: Bel Air Maryland
Vert or Roadster
Originally Posted by JMc
I've driven convertibles for 30 years. I've dated women even longer. Before I came to this place, I had never seen the terms "vert" or "slim" to describe convertibles and women before. I'm just rolling with it. Doesn't really bother me.
I owned a '59 MGA. That was definitely a roadster. Side curtains instead of roll up windows and the whole deal.
I owned a '59 MGA. That was definitely a roadster. Side curtains instead of roll up windows and the whole deal.
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From: Redding California
Originally Posted by stingray4me
In the old days I used to walk 10 miles to school in the snow in Chicago.
OK maybe it was only 3 or 4 blocks. I call mine a vert too.
OK maybe it was only 3 or 4 blocks. I call mine a vert too.
