Phaeton body almost any vehicle with two axles and a row or rows of seats across the body could be called a phaeton. Convertibles and pillarless hardtops were marketed as "phaetons" after actual phaetons were phased out. The term "phaeton" had historically described a light, open four-wheeled carriage. When automobiles arrived it was applied to a light two-seater with minimal coachwork. The term was interchangeable with "spyder", derived from a light form of phaeton carriage known as a "spider". Originally meant to denote a faster and lighter vehicle than a touring car, the two terms eventually became interchangeable. A detachable folding or
HMS Phaeton (1782) sailed from Nantes on the 17 of February and ten days later had captured the packet ship "Princess Elizabeth", which was her only prize. On 28 May, "Phaeton", , and the hired armed lugger "Speedwell" detained "Frederickstadt". On 16 September "Phaeton" took the 6-gun "Chasseur". Then two days later she took the privateer "Brunette". Then with "Unite" she took 16-gun "Indien" on 24 September off the Roches Bonnes. On 9 October "Unite" captured "Découverte", with the 32-gun frigate "Stag" and "Phaeton" in company. "Phaeton" also recaptured three British vessels. These were "Adamant" (24 September), "Arcade" (3 October), and "Recovery" (20