Convertible Cabriolet Phaeton Roadster I seem to see these terms tossed around quite a bit when people are describing fabric tops. So just what, if anything, really defines the difference between these names?
In general..... Roadster - detachable windshield - no side glass - two door Phaeton - same as roadster but 4 door Convertible - fixed windshield - side glass Cabriolet - term used for early convertibles 32-36
Early Ford designations of general types were Open-Convertible-Closed, just for perspective. In effect, a convertible converts between open and closed modes, but you aren't going to enjoy rain even with everything up on an open car. Cabriolet useta was a single seat body like a roadster, just with serious weather protection, in Ford usage, then took on the "Club Cabriolet" category with a small back seat in 1936, then in a few years became the only sort of convertible. Coupes expanded the same way, taking on back seats. From about 1930-39, Ford made both the cabriolet type convertibles and convertible sedan types, in two and four doors in different years.
The Jalopy Journal
