BAD BOY BAY

There is something to be said about the beautiful lines of a 1940s VW Bug compared to the last of the breed 1303. With its rounded nose, panoramic windscreen and bulky taillights, the ‘03’ – what Americans call the ‘Super Beetle’ – arguably lacked in, well, subtle aesthetics. Then again, these same styling and technological changes made the car more refined and safer, while improving handling as well. I will never forget cruising as a passenger in a rather healthy red 1303 back in the ’80s in Germany, sustaining speeds of 100mph/160kmh without a hitch; it made me realise the value of these late-model Beetles.

The same school of thought applies to VW Buses and the Westfalia versions in particular. Oh sure, the early campers score