Ending taken from Harold + Maude

The ending with the scooter is thr same as the one in Hal Ashby's film Harold & Maude, except it is with a car instead. I assume this is where they got the idea of it appearing like he killed himself, but him actually still being on the cliff. Anyway, I highly recommend Harold & Maude. Does anybody know for sure that this was the inspiration, or if any other film had done the same/a similar ending (or scene in general)?