1973 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet | London

A 1973 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet, the open-top version of the small, rounded, rear-engined car with its air-cooled engine at the back. The Beetle is known for its friendly shape and its place in 1960s counter-culture and advertising. Herbie, the star of The Love Bug, was a Beetle too. This car is black with a red interior, a strong pairing against greenery, brick or a pale studio wall. With the roof folded down, everyone aboard is in clear view of the camera. It is left-hand drive: the driver sits on the kerb side, so the front passenger steps out on the road side. The compact, curved body leaves room in shot for the location, which suits advertising, photography and fashion and editorial shoots. Music videos and 1970s-set film and TV work get a period shape that reads on screen at once. For weddings and personal hires, the open roof shows the couple on arrival. The car is based in London.