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 (1883) steam steering gear broke down on 25 May. The "Phaeton" left Plymouth on 27 May to continue her cruise. By June 1887 was serving in the Mediterranean. In her initial months of service, the "Phaeton" suffered from a series of break-downs of her engines. For instance in one accident a piston-rod broke due to a manufacturing defect, and when it broke, cracked one of the cylinders. The January 1887 Navy List listed her commissioned and warrant officers as follows: "Phaeton" was recommissioned at Malta by Captain Reginald N. Custance on 18 March 1890. The January 1887 Navy List listed her