It looks to be from the same era as the original Beetle and has a somewhat similar shape. It’s a bit smaller and narrower with a boxier frame but a curved top. It looks rather like a shrunken Beetle that has been squeezed so that the sides are flattened. Any ideas?
It’s the BMW Mini-Cooper. They were quite popular for a while, disappeared (at least in the States) for deacdes, and have now returned with a vengeance over the last couple years.
–Cliffy
The Mini Cooper?
Nope, it’s not either the new mini or the old mini. The body of the car is curved like a Beetle, but it is flatter on the sides. It’s and older car–60’s I’d guess–and pretty rare. There just happen to be a couple in the neighborhood, but I’ve never seen one anywhere else.
Could it be a Citroen 2VC ?
My SWAG is it is a Citroen, the model my dad used to call a Cigarette Roller. I’ve never known what the real name of that model is, but it is the first thing I thought of from your description.
That look’s more like it. I don’t remember the black roof, but the last one I saw had a surfboard on top, so I might not have noticed
It wasnt one of these by any chance
Is das nicht ein Messerschmitt?
(scroll down for the likely suspect)…
I was going to suggest a Karman Gia, but the Citroen or Morris Minor are probably the more likely candidates.
So far the Citroen is still closest. Definitely not the Fiat and the nose on the Morris Minor is too big. I know what Ghias look like.
It’s gotta be the Citroen. With your description of “flattened sides” and similar shape, I can’t think of another car that fits that profile. Most of the others mentioned here are too curvy or not Beetle-shaped at all.
There’s one that parks a few blocks away, sometimes. If I get a chance I’ll stop and take a look and report back.
Just do a web search on “Citroen 2CX.” It isn’t really a rare car at all–it’s a bit of a French icon, in fact. They were produced into the 90s without too much change to the basic design and are famous for their unique suspension.
Sorry. I guess I should edit my definition of “rare.” It’s not exactly common in the US. Citroens period aren’t seen much round these parts (even though they have some lovely cars. I always did like the 306.) But in Europe they’re common enough.
:smack:
I’m an idiot. Just after I hit “submit” I realized I was thinking of Peugeot’s 306. (Another brand not terribly common in the US.) But the rest of the sentence stands.
Maybe a Citroen Duck? Used to see them in Germany all the time…
Could it be one of those innocuous little Volkswagens that were produced alongside of the (original) Beetle back when? Some silly name like Type B or Type 2…
Aha…Type 3!
Is that it?
Not a Type 3–too sedany. Definitely not a Peugeot 306. They aren’t new cars. They’re old and made of metal, like Bugs. The Duck seems to be the same as the 2VC. The only reason I’m not certain, I think, is that the doors on the 2VC seem too plain. I’m pretty sure the cars I’ve seen have retagular depressions stamped into the door panels.