Senior
Posts: 1460
Joined: Oct 2009
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John Tjaarda van Sterkenburg was one of the designers of the "World Car" predecessors of the Lincoln Zephyr, as well as the Beetle. The fact that a VW Bug has so many early Ford/Lincoln similarities, including the "wide-5" wheels, is tribute to his influence upon both Ford and VW. The hinge similarity is also evident, as well as fender shape, dashboard design, windshield shape (at least in Zephyrs). Ever wonder why those fiberglass 40 Ford fibreglass front-ends looked so correct as an accessory on VW's? Edsel Ford finally moved away from Tjaarda's influence with the help of one of his favorite designers, E.T. Gregorie, and they were able to "soften" the severe Tjaarda-inspired 37 with the more rounded 38. John's son Tom, was the designer of the Ford Pantera. MTBW, Dan
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