I also agree with Don and should have been more specific about the two seat configuration for the Spyder designation. Of course the MR2 and Porsche 550 are indeed two seaters.
As for John's other comments.....so many of these terms have been bastardized over the years. Even an English friend of mine can't explain "shooting break" for a station wagon. Of course the BMW 525 Touring is a station wagon, so the Germans see it different still. And there has to be some explanation for "saloon" referring to a four door sedan....I always thought a saloon was a place to stop in for a pint or two.
As for the Berlinetta name: Chevy used to make a Camaro Berlinetta, which I thought was odd because all Camaros were Berlinettas, whether they were RS, IROC, or Z-28 models! Ferrari used to build the 512BB, BB standing for Berlinetta Boxer. Berlinetta because of the two doors with the only side windows being those in the two doors. Boxer because it did in fact have a boxer engine (horizontally opposed, or 180*, V-12). They got it all right.
My favorite though, was the Alfa Romeo Spyder Veloce. Spyder? Yep, two seat convertible. Veloce (pronounced vel-o-chay, and meaning "fast" in Italian)? Uh, well, that car wasn't exactly fast, but it at least it looked the part.
|