Have three cars ever better represented their countries of origin? The only way to improve on it would have been for the Rabbit to be painted silver.
CC Outtake: Representatives Of The European Big Three – Countries, That Is
– Posted on June 18, 2012
How about, instead:
-Fiat 131
-Austin Allegro
-VW Golf
You could be perverse and call it an Italian trifecta: Giugiaro, Michelotti, Giugiaro.
Be hard pressed to find 3 other small cars that have such perfect proportions and timeless design.
alistair
This reminds me of the old joke about the difference between heaven and hell.
Heaven: German efficiency, Italian cooking and English service.
Hell: Italian efficiency, English cooking and German service.
This looks like the automotive equivalent of heaven. I’m trying to think of the hell version.
Trabant (preferably beige), Austin Allegro (but must have the Quartic steering wheel), and a bucket of rusty metal that used to be an 80s Alfa?
I knew someone would come through for me! Excellent suggestions, all.
I trust that the French are preparing to storm votre Bastille, Monsieur Niedermeyer, for leaving them out of the top three. Also, I want to indecently embrace that gorgeous Alfa.
Perfect proof that getting only a few hours of sleep does impair cognitive function.
The Rabbit is in French racing blue….
Bien sur! C’est un agent double!
The Germans have co-opted France; what else is new?
That Rabbit looks very similar to my former ’79, which was built in Westmoreland County, PA, distinguishable by the “bicycle reflector” side markers. I wish mine had the rear window wiper — that was one car that needed it! By ’81, the US-made model was further “Malibu-ized” with the change to wide, multi-segmented taillights.
Great photo!
Forget silver, make it any other color BUT silver for that lil’ Rabbit. I’m guessing that one is a 79 or an 80. Besides, I happen to like that blue, so there. 🙂
Like that Alfa though and the color perfect.
Silver, as in the official German racing color, which the other two are sporting of their respective countries.
Looks like “Florida Blue” (Floride Blau”).
Again, thankfully, Canada continued to receive German-built Rabbits (Golfs) until 1981, when VW finally sent the Malibu-ized stuff north…
There really was no comparison.
For ’81 the PA plant built them with a redesigned, tackier dashboard..one that stuck out further towards the window cranks, which remained in their original locations such that one now would bang one’s knuckles on the dash when putting the window down or up…..nice one….
The German cars also got a redesigned dash for ’81….it was beautiful, and only seen here on Jettas and Cabriolets….and no knuckle-banging….go figure
To fit in with the two sports cars surely Germany should be represented by the 280SL (pagoda roof model)