what does the word Phaeton mean its the name of one of volkswagons higher price cars but dont know the meaning

[jk_thegooner]

what does the word Phaeton mean its the name of one of volkswagons higher price cars but dont know the meaning

[sheryls]

Phaeton \Pha"["e]*ton\ (f[=a]"[-e]*t[o^]n), n. [F. pha['e]ton a kind of carriage, fr. Pha['e]thon Pha["e]thon, the son of Helios. See Pha["e]thon.] 1. A four-wheeled carriage (with or without a top), open, or having no side pieces, in front of the seat. It is drawn by one or two horses. [1913 Webster]

[UCANTCME1943]

http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/phaeton.html

[SheenaC]

that name has been around a long time. Rolls Royce came up with it, but I don't know what it means.

[SakoA]

THE ACTUAL DEFINITION IS "TOURING CAR" OR "ANY OF VARIOUS LIGHT FOUR WHEELED HORSE DRAWN VEHICLES".BUT IT'S GENERALLY ACCEPTED TO MEAN A FOUR DOOR CONVERTIBLE (USUALLY WITH A SECOND WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE REAR PASSENGERS).IT'S A TERM FROM THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY

[fjason3469sbcglobalnet]

They were going to name it Photon but then Star Trek fans would be hanging around the dealership all the time.. J/K

[cowlynz]

phaeton is a Greek mythological name. It means to light. Phaeton was the son of Apollo who was the god of the sun and dragged the sun across the sky in his chariot. Phaeton as the son of Apollo is signified by the rays of the setting sun. The other significant use of the word is in the 18th century it was a proprietary name for a model of a horse drawn coach with a foots-man.(Cinderella rode in a phaeton on the way to the palace). Other auto makers have also used the name phaeton. in the mid 70's the Excalibur phaeton. Regarding the VW model it is a hand built luxury car . it shares it's platform with the Audi A8 and the Bentley GT. I own a phaeton what a car.