What is the difference between a roadster and a speedster?
Dean
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What is the difference between a roadster and a speedster?
Dean
Dean
The roadster weighs more because of the winshield, rollup windows, better top etc. Mechanically I think they are the same. Someone will correct me if I am in error.
'ed
'ed
I think you are right, Ed. My reading of the history is that the Roadster was the successor to the Convertable D. The Speedster, from its inception, was about light weight, performance, spartan interior, minimal weather protection and low price. I think it is the last item that ultimately led to the demise of the Speedster, its profit margin. My understanding is that the people who originally had them loved them, as they filled a unique niche.
Did Porsche ever build a 356 called a 'Roadster'?. The convertible D replaced the Speedster, and then they were just called 356s, weren't they? I thought 'Roadster' was a name that Henry's father came up with to describe their 'D' replica?
However, maybe the original question has to do with replicas, and the difference between Roadsters and Speedsters in that regard?
However, maybe the original question has to do with replicas, and the difference between Roadsters and Speedsters in that regard?
Hi,
My understanding of Roadster may be skewed by some old time terms used in describing body types. My understanding was a roadster was an open car that had side curtains, no roll up windows, ala Speedster and the 50's English cars. This also applied to early teens, 20's, 30's American cars. I think the term has been bastardized over the years as other than the first Corvette that had side curtains, the following open Vettes were called Roadsters by many. They all had roll up windows. I think Roadster had more of a catchy name than did the convertible. A cabroleit in the 30's was an open car with roll up windows. Take your pick I guess.
Bruce
My understanding of Roadster may be skewed by some old time terms used in describing body types. My understanding was a roadster was an open car that had side curtains, no roll up windows, ala Speedster and the 50's English cars. This also applied to early teens, 20's, 30's American cars. I think the term has been bastardized over the years as other than the first Corvette that had side curtains, the following open Vettes were called Roadsters by many. They all had roll up windows. I think Roadster had more of a catchy name than did the convertible. A cabroleit in the 30's was an open car with roll up windows. Take your pick I guess.
Bruce
My understanding of the Roaster is, the first one was built in 1948 for one yr., then the American Roadster was produced 1951 - 1952, In 1959 the Roadster re-appeared until 1962.
The cars that IM replicates would be closest to a 356 A Convertible D model.
Check out www.v-zweeden.com/his356.htm for pictures and models.
The cars that IM replicates would be closest to a 356 A Convertible D model.
Check out www.v-zweeden.com/his356.htm for pictures and models.
Porsche built Speedsters from 1954-1957 as A-series cars...it was marketed as a "drive to the racetrack and compete" car. Very basic, very affordable (at the time).
In 1958 the Speedster was phased out, but the same body became the Convertible D which had roll-up windows, a taller, squared off windshield, and a more substantial convertible top.
In 1959 Porsche introduced the B-series. Headlights and bumpers were now higher and the new D replacement was dubbed Roadster. It continued the move away from the Speedster's simplicity by adding to the D's amenities.
Not to confuse things, but through the A,B, and C series cars, Porsche also made a Cabriolet. The Cab was a more appointed convertible.
A quick way to tell the difference among all these cars is the windshield. Speedsters had low, rounded-top, removable windscreens with chrome frames. Convertible Ds and Roadsters had higher, squared-top, removable windshields, also with chrome frames. But Cabriolets had the higher, squared windscreens with frames attached to (and painted the same color as) the body.
Speedsters 1954-1957; Convertible D's 1958 only; Roadsters 1959-1963; Cabriolets 1953-1965.
In 1958 the Speedster was phased out, but the same body became the Convertible D which had roll-up windows, a taller, squared off windshield, and a more substantial convertible top.
In 1959 Porsche introduced the B-series. Headlights and bumpers were now higher and the new D replacement was dubbed Roadster. It continued the move away from the Speedster's simplicity by adding to the D's amenities.
Not to confuse things, but through the A,B, and C series cars, Porsche also made a Cabriolet. The Cab was a more appointed convertible.
A quick way to tell the difference among all these cars is the windshield. Speedsters had low, rounded-top, removable windscreens with chrome frames. Convertible Ds and Roadsters had higher, squared-top, removable windshields, also with chrome frames. But Cabriolets had the higher, squared windscreens with frames attached to (and painted the same color as) the body.
Speedsters 1954-1957; Convertible D's 1958 only; Roadsters 1959-1963; Cabriolets 1953-1965.
OK,
My answer was tied to all cars in general but I see where you guys are going,(I think.) Porsche terminology and meaning I guess. Roadster, Cabroliet, convertible, Speedster are not exclusivly Porsche terms, in fact all were used for auto's before Porsche built his 1948. It reached a point that body styles were called many things, marketing probably decided what they were. I really like the Victoria body style of the late 20's and early 30's. Now that was cool. Long hood 2 door, large single doors and a short rear. There were even Victoria convertibles, ah, those were Dusey's.
Bruce
My answer was tied to all cars in general but I see where you guys are going,(I think.) Porsche terminology and meaning I guess. Roadster, Cabroliet, convertible, Speedster are not exclusivly Porsche terms, in fact all were used for auto's before Porsche built his 1948. It reached a point that body styles were called many things, marketing probably decided what they were. I really like the Victoria body style of the late 20's and early 30's. Now that was cool. Long hood 2 door, large single doors and a short rear. There were even Victoria convertibles, ah, those were Dusey's.
Bruce
I'm sorry...what was the question again?
Porsche differentiated the B models into the Cabriolet and Roadster models. The B models were: 356 B Cabrio 1600 (59-63), 356 B Roadster 1600 (59-61), 356 B Cabrio 1600 S (59-63), 356 B Roadster 1600 S (59-61), 356 B Carrera Cabrio 1600 GT (59-61), 356 B Carrera Roadster 1600 GT (59-61), 356 B Super 90 Cabrio (59-63), 356 B Super 90 Roadster (59-63), 356 B Carrera Roadster 2000 GS (61-62), and the 356 B Carrera Cabrio 2000 GS (62-63)
John, you edited your post when I was composing mine!
I just edited my post when you were composing your last post.
I just edited my post when you were composing your last post.
My 1960 356B was called a twin grille roadster by the guy I bought it from. He worked for Porsche all his life so I sorted bought into the notion there was a roadster. It didn't have the 'tub' front body style my covertibleD had.
Same windshield height, diferent bumpers & bumper guards. My 'B' had a racier engine than the 'D'
The hold down latches in the 'D' and my speedster are the same and they work...The hold-downs in my 'B' were a cool style, but didn't work worth a shit, top was prone to pop-loose with the slightest vibration.
Ther's abig ol' coffee table book called the Speedster and in it there is a nice section on the evolution from one model to the next.
Same windshield height, diferent bumpers & bumper guards. My 'B' had a racier engine than the 'D'
The hold down latches in the 'D' and my speedster are the same and they work...The hold-downs in my 'B' were a cool style, but didn't work worth a shit, top was prone to pop-loose with the slightest vibration.
Ther's abig ol' coffee table book called the Speedster and in it there is a nice section on the evolution from one model to the next.
Does this hold true to the Replicars also. Is there much difference?
In Sept of 1958, 1959 model year, Porsche replaced the speedster with the Convertable D, an "A" or "T 2" bodied car(as was the speedster) . A few speedsters were sold as '59 model year cars, they were mostly carrera's or GT speedsters. The IM Roadster is based on the '59 A, T 2 bodied, Convertable D. The D designates the coach builder Drauz, speedsters were built by Reutter.
The Porsche Roadster was a T 5 bodied car and was initialy built during/after Sept. '59 (1960 model year) and sold as a "B". The 356 B Roadster is distinctly different than the T 2 Convertable D (IM Roadster) although they are both convertables with roll up windows and a seperate chrome windshield frame. A major tip-off is the raised bumpers, bumper guards and front fender shape/lines.
The Porsche Roadster was a T 5 bodied car and was initialy built during/after Sept. '59 (1960 model year) and sold as a "B". The 356 B Roadster is distinctly different than the T 2 Convertable D (IM Roadster) although they are both convertables with roll up windows and a seperate chrome windshield frame. A major tip-off is the raised bumpers, bumper guards and front fender shape/lines.
Dean:
To get back to your original question, yes, there is a difference between a Roadster and a Speedster in replica form, as there was in the 'real' versions of this car.
Of the replica manufacturers, only Intermeccanica (IM) makes a Roadster (on a regular basis - some other companies have produced a few). All other replica companies make Speedsters - Vintage, JPS, Beck, etc.
As for the IM Roadster and Speedster, both share the same body shell and mechanicals (in general). A Roadster (as made by IM) has (in general): a taller windshield, larger seats, roll-up windows, larger convertible top with larger rear window. However, IM will combine features of both models to accommodate buyers' preferences.
Hope this clarifies things a little.
To get back to your original question, yes, there is a difference between a Roadster and a Speedster in replica form, as there was in the 'real' versions of this car.
Of the replica manufacturers, only Intermeccanica (IM) makes a Roadster (on a regular basis - some other companies have produced a few). All other replica companies make Speedsters - Vintage, JPS, Beck, etc.
As for the IM Roadster and Speedster, both share the same body shell and mechanicals (in general). A Roadster (as made by IM) has (in general): a taller windshield, larger seats, roll-up windows, larger convertible top with larger rear window. However, IM will combine features of both models to accommodate buyers' preferences.
Hope this clarifies things a little.
Bob,
Don't forget that SAW is building a T2 Cabriolet.
John H
serial # 00000000000001 (?)
H20PLEZ!
Don't forget that SAW is building a T2 Cabriolet.
John H
serial # 00000000000001 (?)
H20PLEZ!