The cabriolet is a light, open transport typically used for jaunts about the countryside. They were a great novelty in Portugal in the late 1700's. They were open-topped for riding about the quintas (vineyards) or estates during the hot season, had two wheels, seated two passengers, rested on leather braces, without springs, and were high and light, with two shafts connecting the body to the harness of a single horse. The design was originally Italian and rapidly spread to France. This type of carriage was particularly appealing to the young members of the royal family, since the lightness of the body and the manner of driving made it quick and easy to handle although, for reasons of safety, it was usually driven by a postillion (a coachman who rides his own horse beside the harnessed horse) like the chaise.
Subassemblies: Body +1, two Wheels -1.
Powertrain: ST 40 horse generating 0.8 kW.
Occupancy: 2 XRPS
Cargo: 0 cf.
Armor: 2/2W overall
Body: Luxury interior.
Size: 10'x4.3'x4.9' Payload: 0.2 tons Lwt.: 0.44 tons
Volume: 40.5 cf. Maint.: 266 hours Price: $5,660
HT: 5. HPs: 28 Body, 6 each Wheel.
gSpeed: 16 gAccel: 1 gDecel: 10 gMR: 1.25 gSR: 2
Ground Pressure High. 1/6 Off-Road speed.
The cabriolet was designed as 2 exposed roomy seats on wheels. The single horse is attached using a whiffletree harness. Structure is Extra Light, with Expensive materials. Armor is DR 2 Expensive Wood. Empty weight is 444 lbs. With only one occupant, Ground Pressure is Moderate (1/4 Off-Road speed).
A four-wheeled cabriolet is also on display at the National Coach Museum in Lisbon.
From the Aerodrome for GURPS
© 2008 by Jim Antonicic