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) from "Hussar", captured a fort from the French at Sumenep on the island of Madura, off Java. The British lost three men killed and 28 wounded. Pellew sailed "Phaeton" home in August 1812, escorting a convoy of East Indiamen. For his services he received a present of 500 guineas and the thanks of the East India Company. In 1816, Capt. Frances Stanfell sailed "Phaeton" from Sheerness, bound for Saint Helena and the Cape of Good Hope. In April 1818, Capt. W. H. Dillon commissioned "Phaeton". In the autumn of 1818 Lieutenant John Geary, who had joined "Phaeton" at her re-commissioning,