TEI #42 - Solved. VW Beetle design concept by R.H. Gurr, 1957

[Tom_I]

Can you identify this car? For a point, what is it, who designed it, and when does it date from?

[Tom_I]

Experts?

[wingroad]

Looks a bit llike a Hillman from the 1950's

[Tom_I]

1950s is right, but it has nothing to do with Hillman.

[kwgibbs]

Vauxhall?

[Tom_I]

No, not Vauxhall.

[kwgibbs]

is it a british ford?

[Tom_I]

No.

[kwgibbs]

simca?

[Tom_I]

No Simca connection.

[frederick59]

Singer Gazelle?

[Tom_I]

Not a Singer of any type.

[kwgibbs]

standard?

[Tom_I]

Not Standard either.

[mymokke]

German Taunus concept from about 1956 design by Pinin Farina?

[Tom_I]

"Concept from about 1956" is very close - just one year out. But it's not a Taunus, and not by Pininfarina.

[richard cuyler]

It's really neat - it looks 'GM-family' to me, so how about a1956 proposal for an Opel Rekord for 1958, to match the similarly-styled Opel Kapitan?

[Tom_I]

You are right that there are conscious elements of contemporary GM styling about it, but apart from that, there is no connection with General Motors. And therefore it's not an Opel.

[richard cuyler]

Could it be East German or Russian?

[Tom_I]

It can't be described as being of a particular nationality, as the base car and designer are from different countries. Neither of them is East German or Russian.

[Tom_I]

Professionals?

[Wendax]

By a British designer?

[barrett]

Studebaker?

[Djetset]

A mid-50s design for a Japanese marque, such as Prince?

[Tom_I]

The 1950s date has been established, but apart from that, it's not Japanese or a Studebaker, and the designer is not British.