Body Styles

[Lynn Kirkpatrick]

All
Before I stick my foot in my mouth (again) what is the difference between: a drophead coupe, a roadster and an open two seater? (What's that? Tsk-tsking, I hear? I always tell my daughter there are no stupid questions, except for the one I asked in Biology class. Everyone still brings it up at class reunions. Oh well.)

Also, I realize this probably isn't the right forum (Morgan may be the right place, I think), but while it's my nickel, can someone point me to an explanation or diagram of a Di dion suspension. For 30-odd years I've seen references to it, but have never seen a good diagram or description.

Thanks
'68 B-type GT (Was that heresy? May I refer to my MGB-GT as a B-type?)

 

[Dale]

You're right Lynn, this is one of those that you know the answer to until your child asks. Then by the time you've formulated the your response the kid has lost interest and you've forgotten the question. Here's my tuppence, but don't hold me to anything or I'll deny it. Drop head coupe is a convertible, Roadster is a car without a top and an open two seater is a motorcycle with a buddy seat. Well, maybe not. I'll bet you get some sensible answers to this one though. I'll be watching.

 

[Steve]

See if I have this right. Drop-head coupe has a folding hood, roadster has a frame for the hood that you have to assemble, whilst an open two-seater has no protection at all from the elements.

The de Dion system does not provide independent rear suspension since the rear wheels are carried on a rigid beam which is bowed to clear the differential.

There is an excellent diagram of that used by Rover at this site.

https://members.tripod.com/~RoverSD_1/liveaxle.html

 

[Basil]

As best I can recall - A drophead coupe is a term applied to a soft top (convertible) that has roll-up windows. A Fixed Head Coupe is just that - a hard top. A Roadster is also a convertible, but without roll up windows (i.e., snap-in side curtains instead of roll up windows). These three terms are used to describe, for example, the the 3 variants of XK series Jags (XK 120 140 and 150, FHC, DHC and Roadster). Now, When you say "Open Two Seater", I guesing you mean the OTS, which actually means "Open Touring Salon" The OTS is what the Jag EType soft top is usually called. It is essentially another name for a Drop Head (it has roll up windows). My 67 EType is an OTS. The OTS term is not usually associated with the older XK Jags.

I will not testify to any of this in court

 

[William]

A Drop Head Coupe (DHC) is a very luxurious version of the roadster version, at least in XK terms. The XK Coupe had nicer, plusher interiors, mostly because a hardtop with the windows up keeps that nice upholstery dry. The DHC had a much more watertight, padded top (rather like a VW Beetle ragtop), roll up windows rather than leaky sidescreens, and that nice interior. Roadsters, typically, have very basic tops (usually DIY assemble from bits but not always) and, until the sixties at least, a more basic, easy to clean and dry out interior. MG still called the B with the store in the trunk top a "roadster", the folding top a "convertible", which made no sense as the cars were otherwise identical in spec. Jaguar still called the E ragtop a roadster as well.
-William

 

[StevenA]

Now I am confused...Not ever having been given an actual definition for the terms. I thought a DHC was a convertable (for lack of other term) that was a sedan design main body usually with a rear seat and a roadster was a convertable sportscar design with only front seating ie buckets. Similar to the difference in American cars with a door post and without a door post on a two door car...very confusing. But I thought I knew what it was until I heard someone else give a definition. Now I will have to spend a few hours researching this...when I have an MGB with the exhaust system waiting to be installed.

Steven

 

[Bob Stevenson]

A Jaguar DHC is a convertible with roll up windows and a inner top lining that covers the top bows etc. From the inside the top area would look like a coupe. The classic roadster would not have roll up windows and a open two seater OTS is a convertible usually does.
Bob

 

[Bob Stevenson]

A Jaguar DHC is a convertible with roll up windows and a inner top lining that covers the top bows etc. From the inside the top area would look like a coupe. The classic roadster would not have roll up windows and a open two seater OTS is a convertible usually does.
Bob

 

[Bob Stevenson]

A Jaguar DHC is a convertible with roll up windows and a inner top lining that covers the top bows etc. From the inside the top area would look like a coupe. The classic roadster would not have roll up windows and a open two seater OTS is a convertible usually does.
Bob

 

[Bob Stevenson]

A Jaguar DHC is a convertible with roll up windows and a inner top lining that covers the top bows etc. From the inside the top area would look like a coupe. The classic roadster would not have roll up windows and a open two seater OTS is a convertible usually does.
Bob

 

[Lynn Kirkpatrick]

Thanks to all for the answers. And the link to De Dion suspensions was also a help. I may be spending some time there (don't worry Basil, this is still the best bloody site this side of the pond).