The　Volkswagen　was　designed　from　the　inside　out.

Every　line　is　a　result　of　functions.　The　snub　nose　cuts　down　wind　resistance.　The　body　lines　hug　the　interior　working.　Nothing　protrudes.

One　Briton　called　the　Volkswagen　“a　marvelous　economy　of　design.”

An　American　owner　put　is　differently.　“Its　funny.”　He　said,　“How　she　grows　on　you.　At　first　you　think　she　is　homeliest　thing　you　ever　saw.　But　pretty　soon　you　get　to　love　her　shape.　And　after　a　while,　no　other　car　looks　right.”

The　VW　defies　obsolescence.　You　can　hardly　tell　the　doughty　shape　of　a　1950　model　from　a　61.　To　suggest　altering　it　is　heresy　to　owners.　(Would　you　change　the　perfect　form　of　an　egg?)

But　we　are　continually　making　changes　you　cannot　see.　Example:　a　new　anti-sway　bar　eliminates　sway　on　curves.　Over　a　hundred　such　changes　since　1950,　but　never　in　the　basic　design.

Is　the　Volkswagen　homely?　It　depends　on　how　you　look　at　it　(and　how　long).