(Plus–VW Type I production run: 1939-present. And the resemblance between a 1939 and a 1999 is undeniable. Not like a 1977 Ford Escort and a '99, which are two entirely different cars–yet Ford claims it is the most popular car of all time. Hhnn? On what planet?)
<end inane digression>
Come to kindly terms with your ass, for it bears you.
We had a 1956 Buick Roadmaster with five holes in the front fender.
I also think that the old Kaiser Frazer was one of the ugliest cars ever. Any consensus?
I used to have a 1970 VW Squareback which had been slightly customized: It had the usual ignition switch but the starter button was on the transmission hump. (A mechanic later changed it so the button was on the dashboard. The battery, of course, was under the rear seat (you hope the seat springs don’t touch it!!!)
“If you drive an automobile, please drive carefully–because I walk in my sleep.”–Victor Borge
WHC:
Yeah, I was referring to modern VW’s. You’re right, I think the ‘Beatle’ is still produced in Mexico.
I knew that thing about the VW spare tire too ! Brilliant idea, unless you get a flat just after you find out you wiper fluid doesn’t squirt anymore…
Re: the automatic wipers: some new Peugeot models have it too. I think it’s a Mercedes invention though.
Coldfire
“You know how complex women are”
DougieMonty–now that’s just bizarre! My 1970 Type III Squareback (my third car ever and probably the best I’ll ever own) had an ignition problem that I had to fix by mounting a doorbell on the shifter base (it was an automatic) which ran to the starter. So key goes in, turn to ON, and hit the doorbell to start the car.
What a great car. I took “Anne” to the Black Hills with friends the summer I graduated from high school. I moved all my possessions to college in her. I even got her up to 100 mph once (no small feat with a 36 year-old 52hp engine, I assure you). Please think about Anne each time you shave (her current status is 100million razor-blades) and help her live on in memory.
Hey, I had a 1962 Plymouth Belvedere with a doorbell button for a starter switch. I didn’t need a key for the ignition though; that was dead too. I had a light switch for that. Flip on the light switch and hit the doorbell button and away you went.
Dopeler effect:
The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
Our '69 Chevy pickup had a ‘three on the tree’ manual transmission. The gearshift lever was on the steering column like some automatics. You pulled in and down for first, straight up for second, straight down for third. For reverse, you pushed out and up.
Those were fairly common transmission options back then.
Well, check out the smart car, a Daimler-Benz/Swatch collaboration.
One of its cool futures:
screw-on body panels. If you want to change your car’s colour, just switch the body panels, “in less than an hour” according to their advertisements.
http://www.smart.com/image/CC_Car_picture_S1CA20EB1EA3_000.JPG
J’ai assez vécu pour voir que différence engendre haine.
Stendhal