What is a Spyder?

This question bugs me every time I see a car with the word "Spyder" on
it, and I've searched the Internet high and low, and can't find a
definition of what makes a car a "Spyder". If there is no definition,
why do so many automakers like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Maserati,
Lamborghini, use it on their cars? Why that spelling? Does it mean
the same as "spider"? Was it created by one automaker who forgot to
register it as a trademark?

I'm surprised I can't find such a common word in any of the on-line
dictionaries I've found.

But, I have found the word used in other products referenced on line,
such as paint ball and video games.

Thanks.

Dan

On 2 Apr 2005 00:39:37 -0800, "Nobody Home"
<nobody.home@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>This question bugs me every time I see a car with the word "Spyder" on
>it, and I've searched the Internet high and low, and can't find a
>definition of what makes a car a "Spyder". If there is no definition,
>why do so many automakers like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Maserati,
>Lamborghini, use it on their cars? Why that spelling?

Also utilized for a model of Chevrolet Corvair.

Since your question spurred my curiosity, I discovered the
informational DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS at
http://www.motorera.com/dictionary/car-dic.htm

The following don't precisely answer your question as far as the
origin of the word or usage, but, they are interesting nonetheless.

Spyder:
In the early 1900s, a light two-seater car. In the 1950s the word was
revived by some Italian manufacturers for an open two seater sports
car. Also spelled "spider."

Which led to:

spider:
[1] On a bicycle, the multi-armed piece to which the chainwheels
are bolted, usually welded to or part of the right crankarm.
[2] A four arm piece on a constant velocity joint.
[3] A central crosspiece linking the two yokes of a universal
joint.
[4] A cross-shaped wheel wrench with a different-sized box socket
head on each of the four legs.
[5] A wheel spider
[6] A type of sport vehicle. In the early 1900s it meant a light
two-seater car. In the 1950s the word was revived by some Italian
manufacturers for an open two seater sports car. Also spelled
"spyder."

Related image for [2]:
http://www.100megsfree4.com/dictionary/c/constant.gif

And -
spider gear:
A small gear (usually in a set of two to four gears) mounted on a
shaft pinned to the differential case. They mesh with the bevel gear
on the ends of the axles and drive them. Also see pinion gear.

And -
planet spider:
A common type of planet carrier with a spider or web-style design

And -
wheel spider:
A part of a cast/forged wheel which connects the rim and the wheel
hub and incorporates a spoke design