Why are we so attracted to fastback hardtops on roadsters?

Colin
By Colin Wood
Aug 21, 2021 | Miata, Boxster, S2000, hardtop

Photograph Courtesy Mazda

A fastback hardtop often adds a certain je ne sais quoi to a roadster, whether it's a Honda S2000, a Mazda Miata or even a Porsche Boxster,

How do you feel about adding a fastback hardtop to a drop-top sports car? Does it offer a worthwhile aerodynamic improvement, or does it defeat the whole purpose of getting a roadster?

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Comments
wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L)
wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L) GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
8/19/21 12:19 p.m.

Because Awesome.

 

Driven5
Driven5 UltraDork
8/19/21 12:25 p.m.

It defeats the purpose of a roadster, but makes for a great sports car.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/19/21 12:32 p.m.

How about the Zeintec hardtop for the early Boxster? I shot this back in '07.

californiamilleghia
californiamilleghia SuperDork
8/19/21 12:55 p.m.

there were some cool Fiat 850 spyder fastback hardtops in the early 70s

Ian F (Forum Supporter)
Ian F (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
8/19/21 1:01 p.m.

Beats me... 

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter)
ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
8/19/21 1:10 p.m.

Sigh.  If they had put that NB coupe in the OP into production, it would probably be the most desirable car that Mazda has ever made.  For me anyway.  It's just beautiful, like a smaller FD.

 

Anyway- a lot of people like small lightweight cars, but don't like convertibles.  They're not great for motorsports, have poor aerodynamics, are noisy, and are only fun to drive with the top down a few months a year in most places where people actually live.

msterbeau
msterbeau New Reader
8/19/21 1:17 p.m.

Aerodynamically and structurally a way better deal.  

j_tso
j_tso Reader
8/19/21 1:35 p.m.

 

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

Anyway- a lot of people like small lightweight cars, but don't like convertibles.  They're not great for motorsports, have poor aerodynamics, are noisy, and are only fun to drive with the top down a few months a year in most places where people actually live.

And if you don't have a garage the top has to stay up when parked which soon becomes a raggedy top.

bmw88rider
bmw88rider GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
8/19/21 3:22 p.m.
ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

Sigh.  If they had put that NB coupe in the OP into production, it would probably be the most desirable car that Mazda has ever made.  For me anyway.  It's just beautiful, like a smaller FD.

They did just not in the US. 

https://www.motortrend.com/vehicle-genres/mazda-mx-5-miata-coupe-production-jdm-photos/

They are very rare and japan only but they do exist. 

Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos)
Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/19/21 3:53 p.m.

Right? And Mazda had to put out the dang ND RF instead of an actual coupe. 

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