THE VERDICT

The final judgement here cannot be made solely on aesthetic grounds but more on how each car’s undoubted physical appeal is combined with practicality. The Renault Caravelle offers very decent fuel economy, room for two and Gallic appeal encased in coachwork that anticipated both the MGB and the Ford Mustang. Yet, it is the VW that would, in an ideal world, be coming home with me – a coupé that offers all of the many virtues of the Type 3, combined with the most distinctive coachwork this side of the E-type, it is evident what a special car it really is.