Volkswagen Type 3
| Volkswagen Type 3 | |
|---|---|
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|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Also called | Volkswagen 1500 Volkswagen 1600 |
| Production | 1961–1973 2,542,382 built |
| Assembly |
Wolfsburg, Germany later Emden, Germany São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil (VW Brasil) Clayton, Australia |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Family car |
| Body style | 2-door notchback sedan 2-door fastback sedan 2-door station wagon 2-door sedan delivery (panel van) 4-door notchback and fastback sedans made only in Brazil |
| Layout | RR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.5 or 1.6L H4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 4,225 mm (166.3 in) |
| Width | 1,605 mm (63.2 in) |
| Height | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
| Curb weight | from 880 kg (1,940 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Volkswagen Passat/Dasher |
The Volkswagen Type 3 is a compact car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen from 1961 to 1973. Introduced at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show, Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA), the Type 3 was marketed as the Volkswagen 1500 and later the Volkswagen 1600, in three body styles: two-door Notchback, Fastback and station wagon, the latter marketed as the 'Variant' in most markets, and 'Squareback' in the United States.
The Type 3 diversified Volkswagen's product range beyond the existing models – the Type 1 (Beetle), Type 14 Karmann Ghia, Type 2 (Bus) – while retaining their engineering principles, notably the air-cooled engine, all round torsion bar suspension, and the rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.
The Type 3 followed the Type 1, utilizing a low-profile version of Volkswagen's rear-engined, 4-cylinder air-cooled engine, as well as body-on-chassis construction while featuring ponton styling in contrast to the Type 1's articulated fender and running board. VW finalized the design by 1959 with prototypes ready for testing by 1960. Secrecy was such that even at the 1960 Geneva Auto Show, VW denied they were readying a new design. In 1961 VW announced the new line as the "VW 1500".
Production began in August 1961, a month before launch, of the Volkswagen 1500 Notchback, encompassing three-box styling in a notchback saloon body. Production of the Karmann Ghia 1500 (also known as the Type 34 Karmann Ghia) with a coupé body commenced in November 1961 and deliveries started in January 1962. The estate bodied Variant (marketed as the Squareback in the USA) followed, with the first cars produced in February 1962. Two convertibles based on the 1500 Notchback were also announced with the original models, but did not enter production.
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Wikipedia