Waxer

What is the proper nominclature for a Boxster convertible? I've seen some people refer to them as "Spyders" and some as "Boxster convertibles".

I thought the "Spyder" was that limited productoin model made from 2011 to 2012 with the signature head rest nacelles behind the driver and passenger head rests? I thought the term "Spyder" was reserved for this special model? The name plate on the back of this car seems to indicate this.

Can anyone clarify.

w00tPORSCHE

All Boxster convertibles should not be referred to as spyders. Porsche periodically introduces a limited year(s) run of homologation specials.

In 2008- RS 60 spyder
In 2011- Boxster spyder which is the 987.2 platform.
In 2016- Boxster spyder on the 981 platform.

I am not very familiar with the '08 and 16 spyders but the 987.2 spyder was first showcased at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show but was officially introduced in 2011. It was meant to be a significantly paired down version, losing its automatic top mechanism, audio system, interior door handles, cup holder, glove box storage compartments. Further weight reductions were accomplished through the use of aluminum door skins, an aluminum rear deck, carbon fiber seats, and lightweight wheels. But unlike previous Spyder editions the Boxster Spyder was still considered a regular production model.

Dicknose

All Boxsters are convertibles, so you don’t need to say “Boxster convertible” (it’s a Cayman if it’s a coupe)
Only some are Spyders. As above, 3 series, low production runs.

Interestingly on the 981 Spyder the word “Boxster” is absent, it alsmost as if the car is just “Spyder”.
Otherwise the models are usually described as
Boxster (base model)
Boxster S
Boxster GTS
Boxster Spyder

Waxer

Thanks for the clarification guys. Appreciated. Makes sense.

Zeus993

And I just learned a new word, nacelle, that describes the "power domes" on our Spyders. Thanks Waxer! I knew there had to be one, just never found it until now.

And then there's guys like the original owner of my Boxster Spyder that went through the trouble to de-badge all references to "Boxster Spyder" (door sills, dash and rear lid) and added the one model logo "Spyder" on the rear deck. Saves weight.

JAhmed

In my mind, Convertible = car that started as a coupe and had its roof chopped off. A car that started from a clean sheet as an open top (S2000, Boxster, etc) are roadsters?

FlamsteadHill

Roadsters don't have tops, IMO. So 987 Spyders may sorta qualify, since what they have is more of an umbrella than an actual top, but really, true roadsters do not have, and cannot have, a top of any sort. Again, some may put the 987 Spyder in that category...

The 981 Spyders, with their built-in tops, I would classify as a conventional manual convertible.

Waxer

Zeus: I did the same with my rear badging. Just says “Spyder”. I think it looks better and cleaner.

daylorb

Yes - same - BOXSTER Spyder took up the entire back of the car and the fonts didn't even match. I've always thought the huge logo looked terrible.

Zeus993

I would agree although I never really minded the original badging either.

I didn't realize the fonts didn't match. Really? I'll have to check...

And this brings discussion to the table as to what exactly is a "Spyder". The closest thing that I've come across is origins back to the open horse drawn carriages that had a simple top that could be thrown on over a frame and secured by 8 straps. The resulting structure appeared to be a spider sitting on top. And for this reason is why I consider the 987.2 to be the true spyder as the top is secured by the back lid dropping and tensioning up the epaulets.

And I still dream of a Spyder with a Targa roof like the 981 that folds and stows in the back.

nuge design

[QUOTE=Zeus993;14603196]And I just learned a new word, nacelle, that describes the "pleasure domes" on our Spyders. Thanks Waxer! I knew there had to be one, just never found it until now.

FIFY

Dicknose

Nacelles - mostly used for aircraft engine or Star Trek to describe the engines of the Enterprise! It usually means an engine casing but it’s mostly used when it is a complete casing (ie 360 degres) otherwise it’s a cowling!
I wouldn’t call our humps a nacelle.

As for Spyder vs speedster v convertible...
Agree with above, speedster tends to not have a roof (or it’s removable and not carried), ie it’s NOT a convertible because you can’t just stop and convert it from open to closed.
Spyder is a convertible, but a light weight one. Implication is that the roof might be less protective than a normal convertible. These days it’s usually a marketing term!
Speedster and roadster both originally implied no roof. Probably because the early cars didn’t bother he a roof (for costs). Once convertibles came along they replaced roadsters, but the roadster name moved over to mean convertible. Seems speedster slipped back in to fill the gap.

In the end there is not strict rules. Convertibles should have a roof! But it could be soft top, hard top, targa with B pillars and rear window. Any convertible can be called Spyder if marketing decide that’s what they want!

Z356

The Porsche 1952 Roadster had a removable canvas top:



The '54/'58 356 Speedsters, '59 Convertible D & '60-'62 Roadsters all had tops
that were attached to body but could be easily removed to lighten the car for races,
etc. But they mostly remained attached to cars 99% of the time.

Even the 550 Spyder came with a detachable 'sunscreen' canvas top!




All 356 Cabriolets (Pre-A, A, B, & C) could also have their tops removed, but it was
more complicated. But it was common to do if you had a detachable hard-top you
installed for winter use & Porsche had a handy guide to help you with that task.








http://autoweek.com/article/car-life...-spider-anyway

***
I owned a 2012 987 Boxster Spyder. And in my opinion that lightweight top (13 pounds or so)
was the closest thing Porsche has done to the concept of the 1950's 550 Spyder canvas top
which I show in a photo above. That 550 Spyder, by the way, is chassis 550-090 and a 1955
model year. Very original car.

Saludos,
Eduardo
Scottsdale

FlamsteadHill

The presence of information on the internet neither proves nor disproves anything. All it does is show that different people have different opinions. Kinda like real life.

Z356

Eduardo
Scottsdale