Beetle and 240D shared integrity, incremental approach to engineering, refined if "oddball" technology (diesel vs aircooled), value for money, a certain timelessness, cachet.

Although meant for two income levels, both indicated "money saved" rather than money spent.
The model "L" Lincoln of the '20s and the Model A Ford also represented different extremes of the same philosophy.

I've said that Mercedes-Benz fall into two categories..."rich peoples' cars" and "smart peoples' cars," with 240s in the latter category. The beetle was also a "smart people's car," judging by the number of engineers, teachers, and others who bought a new one every three years.

Have had a beetle convertible since '73 (my first new car), and now have two 240s.