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Hi all, I was reading old auto magazines yesterday and came across the following in the August 1959 edition of Sports Car Illustrated: "Volkswagen is, according to well founded sources, going to build a car somewhat along the lines of the new A-40, in addition to the regular line of beetles and transporters. A two-pedal control system is also coming up, as is low gear synchro." Naturally, this must be a rumor regarding the upcoming production of the Type III which began in secret (even flatly denied by Nordhoff!). Is "the new A-40" the Austin A-40? I have started poking around, and found a picture of a 1955 A-40 which looks nothing like a VW 1500. This quote suggests a "new" (for 1959) A-40, which perhaps bares a stronger resemblance. Or, maybe the two cars were targeted to a similar market but bore very little physical resemblance to one another. Anybody know more about the A-40 and how it might relate? Also, does "two-pedal control system" indicate auto/autostick trannies, or does it refer to something else? On another note, I recently picked up the book "Volkswagen Chronicle" by Graham Robson. It has some great shots of Type III prototypes that VW commissioned Porsche to build--one notchback and one fastback. They are unmistakingly Type III in appearance, but, at the same time, there are some strikingly different features (such as the bumpers). Great stuff! -Greg '71 squareback '63 Beetle