1966 Jansen (Netherlands)

Jansen cars are unique, handcrafted vehicles built by Dutchman G. Jansen, with each model demonstrating his innovative use of materials and techniques.

Jansen I was a closed sports car based on the VW Beetle. Jansen utilized a wireframe technique, creating the basic shape of the car's body from wire. He then covered this wire structure with jute cloth and applied several layers of plaster to form a positive mold of the body. This meticulous process resulted in the creation of a strikingly individual vehicle with Beetle-based technology.

Building on his experience, Jansen began work on the Jansen II Roadster in 1966. Inspired by the style of the Lotus Seven, the Jansen II was also based on the VW Beetle. Jansen spent almost two years crafting this lightweight, open-top roadster. He followed a similar technique, creating a positive mold first before developing a negative mold from which he hand-laid the outer skin of the car using glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). The body, a one-piece structure, was placed onto a steel frame with struts attached to the Beetle chassis.

The roadster had a minimalist design, featuring a simple windshield frame, basic lighting, and a modest top. Jansen constructed two examples of this distinctive, handcrafted sports car, emphasizing his creative approach to car building.