[Trisha]

Silverstone, 1954. It's just possible to see a Beetle competing. Regrettably, VW never became officially involved in motor sport in those days because the company's first chief executive, Heinz Nordhoff, took the new that people who wanted to go motor racing should buy a Porsche.

 

[Trisha]

Another early prototype by Daimler-Benz.

 

[Zippy D]

A Beetle made a fleeting guest appearance in "The Fast Lady" at around the 17:30 mark, but I was unable to determine the colour. To my poor eyesight, it appeared to be either grey or baby/sky blue, with what also appeared to be whitewall tyres.

Maybe your expert eye could make a determination, Laurence.

 

[Trisha]

Will try and have a look later, Martin. My thanks.

 

[KensRedZed]

I think it's sky blue, or maybe white. It's an old film.

 

[Trisha]

Just had a look at The Fast Lady. Not quite enough of the Beetle in shot to identify the year and model, but thanks for pointing it out. Incidentally, Julie Christie is now 82.

 

[Trisha]

An early pre War cabriolet. Easily modelled from an Airfix kit.

 

[beardy56]

Best option for recycling plastic is Airfix Beetles or any slot car.

 

[Under the stairs]

In our Orwellian future which is nearly here if all the Beatles are convertible the savings could increase
output by 25% , so more Beatles for the masses.

 

[Trisha]

Modelled on the shortlived 'crotch cooler' the unique Stoll coupe was built in 1952 for a German lawyer. Rebuilt by Bob Shaill in England 30 years ago, it sits on display in the Wolfsburg Museum today.

 

[Trisha]

Another freezing frosty day across the Shire without a hope of painting bodyshells. No point in complaining though, for it serves no purpose other than changing a fool into a moaning fool.

 

[Trisha]

Another early prototype, and one that was banged up in Porsche's workshop from rudimentary materials. A truly scratchbuilt piece of craftsmanship.

 

[Zippy D]

High praise indeed from Chief engineer of Rolls-Royce responsible for the Silver Shadow, Harry Grylls referenced in your other thread Laurence, and he confirmed it by buying a Beetle.

I often wondered if the Morris Minor was the UK attempt at a version of the peoples car, but having driven a Morris Minor, and been driven in a Morris Traveller (woody estate) and a Beetle, I believe I would have to agree with Mr Grylls and plump for a Beetle.

 

[PatB]

My understanding has always been that the original concept for the Minor was rather more advanced than the constraints of manufacture in austere post-war Britain allowed the production car to be. But yes, the Beetle was more of a mould breaker than the Minor ever managed.

 

[Trisha]

Many have been apt to compare the Beetle and Morris Minor/1000, whereas in reality the two cars aren't in the same league by a very long way indeed.

 

[Trisha]

PS

Years ago Rolls-Royce bought several Beetles each year to teach apprentices about engineering. Harry Grylls admitted that the Beetle had mystified him, and openly confessed that Rolls couldn't make cars to the same standard, especially in view of the Beetle's purchase price.

When he retired in 1968, Grylls was able to buy any car he wanted but chose a Beetle because he never found anything better. Works' Porsche drivers, Rudi Lins and Leo Kinnunen, held similar views.

 

[Trisha]

Beetle owner, the late Leo Kinnunen, on the 1970 Targa in the 908/3 he shared with Pedro Rodriguez. It was a little quicker than his Beetle.

 

[Trisha]

A couple more handbuilt prototypes made in the mid 1930s. I hope more 1:32 versions will be in the pipeline soon.

 

[matthew77]

I saw a chap having a driving lesson in an off white Beetle the other day. It had white wall tyres and a lot of rust on the roof but it moved quickly when he accelerated. Must have been a brilliant driving lesson, he certainly had the confidence to floor the accelerater.
The alloy wheels looked like a type of Minilites for a large car, probably 15 or 16inches.

Always makes me smile to see an interesting car.

 

[Trisha]

Matthew

Simply for your info the standard Beetle wheels were 15in in diameter, except the early cars which had 15in wheels.