There’s certain art styles that have become, much like an actor doomed to play the same basic role over and over, typecast. They’re art styles that have become so closely associated with one particular genre or category of something that it’s almost impossible to see it used in an other context without thinking of whatever it’s best known for. I happened to stumble on a great example of this in this 1974 Volkswagen Dasher brochure. The art in this brochure, while skillful and well-executed, can’t help but make me think of pulpy ’70s romance novels. Maybe not just romance, it could be some bad light sci-fi or fantasy, too, perhaps. But I think when you look at that art up there, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
In case it’s not clicking for you, let me help a bit:
See what I mean? I feel like I’ve seen this, and some of D’Colonic’s other novels, in a used book store not long ago.
You know what else is weird about this brochure? It’s one of the only of the early water-cooled VW brochures or promo materials that includes illustrations of really early prototypes that would eventually become the Volkswagen Beetle; look in the upper left here:
Those drawings are of Porsche’s 1933 NSU Type 32 prototype, which was very Beetle-like, down to having a flat-four engine and everything. On the right, it’s interesting to see how they tie this very different (and, ironically, somewhat NSU-derived) Dasher design to the Beetle by virtue of it having an engine over the drive wheels.
That’s fascinating, but let’s turn another drawing from this brochure into a book cover:
Ooh, book six! I’ve only read up to Groin of the Gargoyles, book four. I better catch up! I’ve been a Bearpudding fan for years, you see.
This shit is why I’m here
As one medium-sized bear, I must declare, “Bearpudding” is sure… something there.
Slightly disappointed that none of those book covers make use of Futura.
That said, I thought Bearpudding did a great job with the first three Damp Bandana books. Ever since, he’s definitely been phoning it in.
Oh I just like that it has radiator grille on the outside of the headlights also! That’s a nice touch. Also some really nice aquarelle work there (thumbs up emoji)
Ya know, I have a book that was published by VW: Think Small. It’s not a romance novel though—it’s a collection of short stories and cartoons, and the whole thing feels very much like it was excerpted from the New Yorker, except that everything is VW-themed. Some of the contributors were also contributors to the New Yorker, like Charles Addams.
Cool book. You’re right, it’s no romance novel, but then “Think Small” is hardly a title I’d expect on the average bodice ripper.
Size isn’t everything!
However, I’m impressed by the technical quality of the car renderings. They almost look like a Photoshop filter applied to photos or the result of an AI prompt—years before that tech was available. There were some skills back ion the day.
Came here to say the same. I’m actually still not convinced the hood reflections are fake.Excellent work either way
I think they could also be 70’s light rock album covers.
Damnit, now I want to read all of these books, especially the first 5 of the Damp Bandana Cycle series.
Just glad it wasn’t called Damp Banana Cycle.
I haven’t read the series yet but I’m guessing that bandana visits all the regions from book to the next. I’m imagining it’s sort of like the Chronicles of Prydain except with more squishing and ringing and less crunching and munching.
Maybe the selection of watercolor illustrations was meant to mirror the changeover to water-cooled engines.
Damn you. I was typing that as it appeared.
You are correct since the radio ads for previous generation vehicles featured air guitar.
in the first picture, either one saying to the other, “ with enough lube I’m sure you’ll like it”
“Do you want to go home Becky? Because there’s only one way to get there…..”
Well now I just feel kinda dirty. Thanks for that, Torch. I love that this website can make me feel all kinds of things.
I could also see this on the cover of the Penguin paperback edition of some mid-20th century novel distributed by the bajillions in high school English classes.
Mouthwash for Parocles or something.
I’d call it Dasher and the Vixen
I had a ’76 Dasher when I was a kid. Although as slow as molasses, it drove great and was almost unkillable despite my teenage shenanigans.
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