# Convertible sports cars - why "Spyder"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 23, 2008, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023 "2008-08-23T15:00:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/1 "2008-08-23T15:00:07Z")
On the way in to work this morning I was listening to Car Talk and they had a caller with a question about his 1967 Fiat Spyder. It got me to thinking that “Spyder” seems to be a widely used term for a convertible sports car, and I was curious about the origin of the term and the significance, if any, of spelling it with a “Y” instead of an “I”. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/2 "2008-08-23T16:12:37Z")
[QUOTE=our pals at Wikipedia] As with other automotive terms, the term derives from horse-drawn carriages. A “spider” was a lighter version of a phaeton, having narrower, spindly wheels and two-seat accommodation. The name implied an extremely rudimentary top mechanism originating from a small two-seat horse-cart with a folding sunshade made of four bows; with its black cloth top and exposed sides for air circulation it resembled an eight-legged spider. This term was subsequently applied to automobiles. [/QUOTE] No information there on the resaons behind the Y vs I issue. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/3 "2008-08-23T16:15:11Z")
[QUOTE=Shoeless] It got me to thinking that “Spyder” seems to be a widely used term for a convertible sports car… [/QUOTE] I have never heard it applied to anythoing other than a Fiat. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/4 "2008-08-23T16:18:41Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] I have never heard it applied to anythoing other than a Fiat. [/QUOTE] Porsche, Ferrari, and Mitsubishi all have spyders/spiders. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/5 "2008-08-23T16:23:28Z")
[Wikipedia’s “Spyder” models:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyder) > [@](#): > > The following cars are examples of Spyder models: > > ``` > * Ferrari 360 Spider > * Toyota MR2 Spyder > * Porsche Boxster > * Porsche 550 Spyder > * Fiat 850 > * Fiat 124 Sport Spider / Pininfarina Spider Europa / Spider America > * Chevrolet Corvair > * Triumph TR7 > * Aston Martin DB2 Spyder > > ``` > > […] > The following cars’ names include Spyder or Spider but they do not meet the basic criteria (a roadster-like vehicle with nose slant pointing downwards to create a wedge)[citation needed] for “true” spyder vehicles: > > ``` > * Mitsubishi Eclipse (only the convertible version is dubbed Spyder) > * Lamborghini Gallardo > * Mitsubishi 3000GT > * Maserati Spyder > * Alfa Romeo Spider > * Porsche RS Spyder > * Can-Am Spyder > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/6 "2008-08-23T16:28:22Z")
[http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/890/90005572.JPG](http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/890/90005572.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/7 "2008-08-23T16:56:21Z")
A “Spyder” is generally accepted to mean a compact sportscar, usually a 2-seater, and a ragtop. a Mazda Miata is a spyder. “Spyder” is derived from Italy…there it is pronounced “speed-aire”…a speedster. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/8 "2008-08-23T17:22:11Z")
James Dean died in a Porsche Spyder, so there have, at least in the past, been Spyders other than Fiat. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/9 "2008-08-23T17:32:01Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] I have never heard it applied to anythoing other than a Fiat. [/QUOTE] I had a '78 Chevy [Monza](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Monza). It had a 305 V8 and looked very similar to [THIS](http://www.wktechnical.ca/acadian/1980_monza_spyder.jpg). It was the Spyder model, but it was not a convertible. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/10 "2008-08-23T18:16:50Z")
“Spider” (Ragno) was the Italian word for a carriage that had over-large wheels featuring eight spokes. The funny spelling is for overseas markets that think “Spyder” is a real word. Like “Kompressor” for supercharger on BMW’s. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/11 "2008-08-23T18:53:36Z")
The corvair monza spyder was the turbocharged model from 62-64. They were not all convertables. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/12 "2008-08-23T20:58:53Z")
[QUOTE=Paul in Saudi] Like “Kompressor” for supercharger on BMW’s. [/QUOTE] Mercedes, you mean. BMW doesn’t do superchargers. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/13 "2008-08-24T02:28:40Z")
[QUOTE=Paul in Saudi] The funny spelling is for overseas markets that think “Spyder” is a real word. [/QUOTE] In what sense is it not? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/14 "2008-08-24T13:09:35Z")
It is (at best) a neoligoism. It is an invented word that has not (yet) entered general usage in either English or Italian. It may become an accepted word, but I would not bet the beer money on it. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/15 "2008-08-24T17:01:06Z")
[QUOTE=pkbites] I had a '78 Chevy [Monza](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Monza). It had a 305 V8 and looked very similar to [THIS](http://www.wktechnical.ca/acadian/1980_monza_spyder.jpg). It was the Spyder model, but it was not a convertible. [/QUOTE] My first car!!! Bought it my senior year of HS 1980, it was a 79 model with 15k miles, blue with light gray interior. 305 V8, dual exhaust, bucket seats, center console, hatchback. My Mom loved to drive it. No thanks to Dad who wanted me to get a cavernous Buick. I traded the car in 1984 for a new VW GTI! My SO has a Beck built porsche spyder, '57. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/16 "2008-08-24T20:12:29Z")
Guys, I’ll point out that having “original” or interesting product names helps distinguish them in the public mind. And also that, the more “arbitrary” or fanciful a brand name is (as opposed to being a common word), the stronger the trademark protection it may enjoy. It’s been said that “Kodak” is one of the strongest trademarks around precisely because George Eastman made it up out of thin air (wiki claims he and his mother just jumbled a number of different letter combinations using an anagram set); it doesn’t describe anything other than that company’s products. “Spyder” is not **that** unique, but it is a little more fanciful than a correctly-spelled animal’s name. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/17 "2008-08-25T01:38:18Z")
I actually had the luxury of snagging an Italian Fiat Spyder 2000 ragtop (but this was in '80 or so) from my Mother. She taught me how to drive a stick on it at 13 YO, and it became mine from then on. Until I was able to legally obtain my license at 16 and rolled it. (got in a wreck which caused it to turn on the horizontal axis beyond 270 degrees). Managed to land on the wheels and drive it away.) I managed to walk away from that one, and was able to obtain another convertible. A Mazda Spyder. Which I also rolled. (same axis, same outcome). Really. … I am actually a very good driver. Tho I do love the drama. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/18 "2008-08-25T02:03:16Z")
[QUOTE=pkbites] I had a '78 Chevy [Monza](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Monza). It had a 305 V8 and looked very similar to [THIS](http://www.wktechnical.ca/acadian/1980_monza_spyder.jpg). It was the Spyder model, but it was not a convertible. [/QUOTE] Ow, that hurts my eyes. I rented a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder convertible last time I was in San Diego, but I was unimpressed. Acceleration left something to be desired. When something is that small and lightweight, it should accelerate like a motorcycle, not a full size sedan. It should also have a better turning radius. You know, for someone who drives a hillbilly truck everyday for work, I sure do have strong opinions on cars I will never buy. And **Uncle Brother Walker,** between liking to blow stuff up, and a penchant for flipping cars, we should get along famously. Welcome to the 'dope. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/19 "2008-08-25T07:34:32Z")
[QUOTE=Paul in Saudi] It is (at best) a neoligoism. It is an invented word that has not (yet) entered general usage in either English or Italian. It may become an accepted word, but I would not bet the beer money on it. [/QUOTE] All words were neologisms once. And from this thread alone we see the word has been in use for at least 51 years. Do you want to have a think about how many words you use in everyday speech that have been in use for less time than that without considering they are not “real words”? \*\*Heurta88 \*\* it isn’t a product or brand name: it’s used (according to this thread) by at least seven different manufacturers. ---
**Author:** ![Sevastopol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023/20 "2008-08-25T08:21:03Z")
[QUOTE=Paul in Saudi] “Spider” (Ragno) was the Italian word for a carriage that had over-large wheels featuring eight spokes. The funny spelling is for overseas markets that think “Spyder” is a real word. Like “Kompressor” for supercharger on BMW’s. [/QUOTE] I beg to differ, If I recall correctly, Spyder is a reflection on the appearance of the supports of the soft top roof. All elongated numerous and spindly. On review of Wiki, it supports both **Paul…** and I: > [@](#): > > As with other automotive terms, the term derives from horse-drawn carriages. A “spider” was a lighter version of a phaeton, having narrower, spindly wheels and two-seat accommodation. The name implied an extremely rudimentary top mechanism originating from a small two-seat horse-cart with a folding sunshade made of four bows; with its black cloth top and exposed sides for air circulation it resembled an eight-legged spider. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convertible-sports-cars-why-spyder/461023.md?page=2)