1975, Car spotting: 's-Hertogenbosch, Market Place

Left to right

Parked in front of Hotel Central

Peugeot 304, Ford (Taunus) 15M (P6)

First parked row opposite Hotel Central

Volkswagen Type 1 pre 1968 (Beetle), Opel Commodore B, Renault 4 Fourgonnette, Volkswagen 1200 Type 1 (Beetle), Fiat 124 of Lada 1200 (VAZ 2101), Opel Kadett C, Volkswagen Type 1 1200 or 1300 (Beetle), next to the snack house probably Toyota Corolla ke26 Wagon, unidentified white car, Volkswagen Type 1 (Beetle), Volkswagen Type 1 (Beetle), probably Sunbeam Hunter, probably Ford Taunus 12M/15M (P6), unidentified red car, probably Mercedes-Benz, probably BMW 02 Series, unidentified white car, unidentified red car, probably Ford Capri Mk I, unidentified red car (Fiat?)

Trying to find a parking spot

Renault 12, Citroën 2CV, Ford Escort Mk 1, probably Fiat 124 or Lada 1200 (VAZ 2101), Toyota Crown (S60), Datsun 120A Cherry coupé (Nissan E10), Opel Kadett B

Parked first row, bottom photo

BMC Mini (ADO15), Citroën Ami 8, Fiat 600, Citroën 2CV, Opel Rekord C, Renault 5, Peugeot 204, Daf 55

Trying to find a parking spot

BMW 1600/1800/2000 (New Class), Vauxhall Victor FD

Parked second row

Renault 4, Ford Escort Mk 1, Fiat 124 or Lada 1200 (VAZ 2101), Opel Kadett B, Opel Ascona A, Opel Ascona A, Peugeot 504, Volkswagen 1200 Type 1 (Beetle), Fiat 124 or Lada 1200 (VAZ 2101), unidentified blue car

Parked third row

Fiat 850, Daf 44/55/66, probably Ford (Taunus) 17/20/26M (P7b), Mercedes-Benz (type?), Opel Kadett Caravan, probably red Ford Capri Mk I, unidentified dark car, unidentified yellow car, unidentified red car, unidentified white car, unidentified dark car, unidentified dark car, probably Fiat 600

Parked fourth row

Fiat 127, Daf 44/55/66, Renault 4, Ford (Taunus) 12M coupé (P6), Volkswagen 1200 or 1300 Type 1 (Beetle), Daf 44/55/66 Combi, Opel Ascona A, Fiat 600, Simca 1301/1501, Mercedes-Benz W114/W115, Volkswagen Transporter Type 2 (T2), probably Fiat 124 Sport Coupé, BMC Mini (ADO15)

Parked fifth row

probably Fiat, probably Opel Kadett B, probably Peugeot 504, Daf 66 Marathon Combi, four unidentified cars, probably Volkswagen Transporter Type 2 (T2)

 

Parked sixth row

Toyota Corona Break (T100), Simca 1100 Fourgonnette, unidentified dark blue car (Audi?), Citroën 2CV, BMW 02 Series, probably Opel Rekord C Coupé, unidentified dark car

 

Parked seventh row

Volkswagen 1200 Type 1 (Beetle), 2 unidentified white cars, unidentified red car, unidentified green car, unidentified white car

Parked eight row

probably BMW New Class, Citroën Dyane, probably Opel Manta A, Simca 1100, unidentified brown car

 

Parked row opposite "Smits", "Luxe Bakkerij" and "The Society Shop"

unidentified dark car, Citroën 2CV, four unidentified white cars, red Citroën 2CV, Ford Capri Mk I, Renault 4

1974, Cars: Big, City and Jeans Beetle

In 1974 German car manufacturer Volkswagen presents three special editions of the Beetle for the European market: the Jeans Beetle, the City Beetle and the Big Beetle. The three cars were introduced as “Käfer der Käufer” at the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The first 1974 Jeans Beetle (S761) was based on the standard 1200cc Beetle. The car, only available in “Tunisgelb” (Tunis yellow) with black trim (no chrome work), was fitted with 4.5x15 Lemmerz GT sport wheels, black side markings with the word “jeans” with matching lettering on the engine cover, and denim “jeans” seat covers with yellow coloured stitching. It was fitted with a rear window heating and a “Ludwigshafen” or “Wolfsburg” radio. The 1975 Jeans II was available in “Brilliantgelb” (Brilliant yellow) , “Marinogelb” (Marino yellow) and “Phoenixrot” (Phoenix red).

Jeans Beetle (S761)

Jeans Beetle (S761)

The City Beetle (S764) was based on the 1300cc 1303 “Super” Beetle and available in “Ibizarot” (Ibiza Red), “Ontariametallic” (Ontario (blue) Metallic) and “Ischiametallic” (Ischia (green) Metallic) with “1303 City” side markings. The seats had broad woven stripes to match body colour, loop pile carpet, inertial reel seat belts, optional head restraints, “Emden” radio, vinyl padded Petri AG steering wheel, 4.5x15 sport wheels, engine cover lock, heated rear window, rubber bumper inserts, interior mirror, and reverse lights.

City Beetle (S764) in “Ibizarot”

City Beetle (S764) interior

The Big Beetle (S763), based on the 1600cc 1303 S “Super” Beetle, was available in “Moosmetallic” (Moss (green) Metallic), “Ontariametallic” (Ontario (blue) Metallic) and “Hellasmetallic” (Hellas Metallic) with “1303 Big” side markings. The car was fitted with 5½ x15 Lemmerz “GT” sport wheels, special velvet upholstery, loop pile carpet, inertial reel seat belts, wood veneer dashboard, vinyl padded steering wheel, special wooden gearshift knob, engine hood lock, heated rear window, rubber bumper inserts, and reverse lights.

Big Beetle (S763) in Hellasmetallic

Big Beetle (S763) in Hellasmetallic

Big Beetle (S763) interior

(note: S stands for “Sondermodelle” (English: Special Edition))

Left to right: Jeans Beetle, City Beetle and Big Beetle

Left to right: City Beetle, Big Beetle and Jeans Beetle

1973, News: Coach from Soignies ends up in river

On 18 July 1973 a Belgian coach from Soignies carrying 49 tourists from Soignies, Braine-le-Comte and Tubize crashed on the Rampe de Laffrey near the small town of Vizille, Isère, France. Shortly after nine o'clock the brakes of the coach, driven by Albert Lechien also the owner of the firm, failed. The coach missed a curve at the base of the RN85 aka route Napoléon, near its intersection with the bridge over the Romanche, and overturned into the river. 43 people were killed and 6 injured.

At the same place there have been coach accidents in 1946 (18 deaths), 1956 (7 deaths), 1970 (5 deaths), 1975 (29 deaths), and 2007 (26 deaths).

Memorial Stone