Parked at the rear of some mechanical workshops were these zaftig wonders. A 1975-80 Beetle Cabriolet and a 1959-67 Jaguar Mk2 3.4. Two completely different expressions of the automobile, yet joined in their respectively iconic utilisation of body curvature.
Gorgeous, both.
I’ve always liked the shape of most of the European cars of the 1960s and 70s.
I’m not a Beetle aficionado (though I certainly was as a gradeschooler, inspired by the “Herbie” movies), and so my opinion may be considered grounds for excommunication from the human race, but I prefer the turn signals perched atop the front fenders, not buried down in the bumper.
Yeah, Moving them to the bumper did the car no favors!
Amen, right where God intended them to be!
Those are non U.S. Spec. Mexican bumpers , much favored by the kiddies and customizers in California .
I prefer the fender mounted turn signals too .
I’m always amazed by the numbers of neglected to death old Jag’s in the self service yards here in So. Cal. ~ no rust nor dents just always ratty and clearly unloved until hauled away for scrap .
-Nate
Looks like Mexican production went to those bumpers in 1977, after German production did so in 1975. The reason why we didn’t see them in the US and Canada is because that would’ve required engineering, designing, tooling, producing, and installing separate front side marker lamps and reflex reflectors—those functions are built into the US/Canada-version of the fendertop lamp, but not present at all with the in-bumper turn signals. The US and Canada are the only countries where side marker lights and reflectors are required on all vehicles.
Agreed on both counts, Herbie movies were HUGE for me during my automotive upbringing yet am far from an expert on Beetles as well, and I agree the fenders look naked with the markers in the bumper. I wonder if VW was trying to make it more 911ish, the bumper design and light placement were very similar to the 74 facelift
It was probably because it was cheaper
+1
Whoa – I can’t remember the last time a VW Bug looked so appealing. Maybe it’s the company it’s keeping.
That Jag is looking mighty fine. I’ve noticed my having cultivated a strong Jaguar desire since driving that XK-150S last winter. Sadly, I realize that is having champagne tastes on a tap water budget.
Looks like that Jag is is surrounded by VWs. There is a Transporter/Vanagon on one side and a Golf on the other.
Considering the machines that were available for building cars during the time period these cars were new, those curves are extraordinary.
And given a choice, I prefer the original Beetle’s styling to the current Beetle’s “update”.
I’m going with the Jag, OTOH, If the rear engined neighbor was a ‘vair……..
I’ll take the Jag, their most beautiful 4 door. I dread to think how many were wrecked in British cop shows and gangster films in the 70s.
No kidding? What a disturbing image. I love having your perspective here.
Did you see the Jensen CV8 in London Spy? I was so impressed, had never seen one before – had to look it up (thanks to IMCDB).
My best friend here in LA had a gorgeous XK150 back in the 70’s.
So many wonderful cars produced in the UK over the years.
Thanks got to see London Spy yet. I’m a long time fan of Euro/American exotica.Some great cars were made in the UK as well as a few awful ones!
one more item that has not been offered by a manufacturer since the early 1970’s:
wire wheels
Nice pairing, but I’ll take the Jaguar :-))
I’m happy to not see as many Bugs around. I was covered with bruises when my wife & daughter ganged up on me on long road trips… playing the “Punch-Buggy Game”!
Ah, the Mk2…a car I’ve been a fan of for a very long time, despite never having seen one in person. It really does have ‘curves in all the right places”. Looks quite fine in that silver-gray too.