What is a coupe

[Mark McDonald <tomswift@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think you're both right.  I think the term "two door hardtop" is probably the
technically correct term.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that is the way the 2 dr.
69s are referred to in the brochures (although I could swear I saw the term
"Crown coupe" somewhere, too).  But, as with many of the words we use today,
usage has changed the original meaning, or at least blurred the distinctions.
I believe the word coupe actually came from the horse & carriage days, but I
think most people today think of anything with 2 seats, 2 doors, and limited
room in back as a "coupe."

Now if someone could only explain to me what a "saloon" (the car kind) and a
"phaeton" is.

MM

Christopher Hoffman wrote:

> Peter Engel/vze2dp8c@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
> > The writer is really off-base because there's no such thing as a
> > fuselage Imperial coupe, technically.  Sure, a lot of people call any
> > two door model a coupe, but that's not right.
> >
> Actually, the definitions of bodystyles have evolved over the years. Today,
> a coupe can be anything with two doors, even though technically most 2-doors
> today (with the exception of certain Mercedes models that are the only
> pillarless hardtops still in production) are really just two-door sedans...
> or hatchbacks. And when was the last time a carmaker offered a business
> coupe, also known as a doctor's coupe?
>
> Of course, look at all the terms carmakers are inventing to try and hide the
> fact that their new "crossover vehicles" are really just station wagons.
>