Is the TF a roadster?

[madrid]

Hi everybody,

There was a discussion, a couple of weeks ago, in a Spanish forum, about what exactly is a "roadster".

The summary about the discussion is that it was generally accepted that a "roadster" must have the engine in the front (like mazda mx5 or bmw z3) and that a mid engined car (like MGF/TF or Toyota MR2) should be consider like a spyder more than a roadster.

Is it right? What exactly is a MGF/TF (apart from a great joy ) ? I know, that the British point of view about this must be definitive.

Thanks in advance

[Rich Stone]

I always thought that the definition of a 'Roadster' was a soft-top, two seater sportscar... All the above mentioned fit into that category. It'll be interesting to see any other responses though...

Rich ;D

[Scarlet Fever]

I agree with Rich. MG themselves considered the F to be a Roadster, they had thier own magazine for owners for about a year or so in the late 1990's called 'Roadster'

I am tempted to say that "they should know", given that MG is some parts of the world is like the brand name 'Hoover' in so far as all vacuum cleaners here in the UK tend to be called Hoovers even though they are made by any number of other companies. In certain parts of the world all small sports cars are known as MGs - it's the same deal, where the brand is so synonymous with the product that all of them are known by the man in the street by the one brand name.

However, given some of the historical decisions made by the company and a track record that seems to have lurched from one crisis to another i am not going to credit them with actually knowing definitively!

[madrid]

So, maybe the term "roadster" could be something to define just the body-shape (two seats, sporty look, soft-top...) indepent of the engine position?

The F/TF should be an MR Roadster, and, for example, the MGA or the mx5 should be an FR Roadster, and the fiat barcheta should be an FF Roadster

[sniperpenguin]

madrid said:

and that a mid engined car (like MGF/TF or Toyota MR2) should be consider like a spyder more than a roadster.

In that case, wouldnt that make the Alfa Spyder a "roadster"? ;-)

[madrid]

sniperpenguin said:

madrid said:

and that a mid engined car (like MGF/TF or Toyota MR2) should be consider like a spyder more than a roadster.

In that case, wouldnt that make the Alfa Spyder a "roadster"? ;-)

From one point of view, the Alfa Spyder shouldn't be a roadster because of its front wheel. On the other hand, if we consider a roadster just by the body shape, the Alfa Spyder should be a roadster.

What a mess!!!

[scubastewart]

Being a member from Oxford, I thought it only right to check this with the 'Oracle' - the Oxford English Dictionary! ;D ;D ;D

So, they say the origin of the use of the word 'roadster' in relation to an automobile comes from the US. Meaning "A type of motor car, esp. an open two-seater."

Well the TF is certainly one of those....!

[James Curgenven]

Other dictionary entries define a roadster as having MORE than just the two front seats.

Although to be fair the other definition is a horse for riding on the roads.

[Rich Stone]

How about this from Wikipedia...

Roadster is the North American term (spyder in England and a barchetta in Italy) 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. 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.

Hmmm

Rich.

[James Curgenven]

So apart from such as the Lotus/Catarem 7 we're all Cabriolets then?

[Dieter Koennecke]

curgenven said:

So apart from such as the Lotus/Catarem 7 we're all Cabriolets then?

Yep, but don't tell anyone else

[patrick]

Oh come on folks, we cannot use Wikipedia as a credible source can we?

[Rich Stone]

TBH, I'm not really bothered what anyone else thinks it should be labelled as. I'm happy with my 'F being a roadster... or even a 'Sportster'... ;D

Head down, I sense more debate now...

Rich.

[robbo5]

As Clark Gable said at the end of Gone with the Wind " Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn " Whatever you call it, it is still a fun sports car!

[madrid]

Hi thanks to everybody.

If the term "roadster" is a marketing gimmick, do you know any official advertisement of MGF/TF in wich the term roadster is used There was a very little marketing campaign in Spain, and I remember that "roadster" was not used here.

I agree with you, whatever you call it, I won't change it