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) 18-gun Cruizer class brig-sloop "Harrier", Captain Edward Ratsey. After exchanges of fire first with "Harrier" and then with "Phaeton", "Sémillante" took refuge under the guns of a shore battery. Unable to dislodge her, the two British vessels eventually sailed off, each having suffered two men wounded. "Sémillante" was reported to have suffered 13 killed and 36 wounded. After resupplying at San Jacinto, "Sémillante" intended to sail for Mexico in March 1805 to fetch specie for the Philippines; the encounter with "Phaeton" and "Harrier" foiled the plan. Motard returned to the Indian Ocean, operating for the next three years against British