Spider...Spyder...FIGHT!

[Lordbenny]

So what is it and why? (Maybe I should be posting this in the Ferrari section as I was recently lambasted for calling a Ferrari a Spyder when its actually a Spider!) Who was the first manufacturer to called their convertible a Spider/Spyder, why Spider/Spyder and how was it actually spelt!

[catso]

I believe the name originates from a type of 2 seater, open-top, horse drawn buggy on which the open-sided 'pram-type' top had several 'legs' supporting it and so was said to look like a Spider.

Originally spelt Spyder but changed to Spider by Alfa Romeo (or Ferrari?) as there is no 'Y' in the Italian alphabet.

Edited by catso on Tuesday 25th May 12:22

[AndrewW-G]

It can be spelt either way, Ferrari for example have used both spellings . . . . . . . . . . if it was somebody on here, put the post into the "people who think they know about cars" thread

[jamieboy]

AndrewW-G said:

It can be spelt either way,

Can it? I didn't think Alfa had ever called a car a 'Spyder'.

[kambites]

I thought "Spider" was the Italian spelling, and "Spyder" was the German one (which I think came from an old English word?).

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 26th May 10:02

[Hugo a Gogo]

first car to be called a spyder was an Aston Martin, came out just before the Porsche spyder in 53

[Hugo a Gogo]

supposedly anyway