Volkswagen Type 3 / 1500 / 1600 (1961–1973)

De Volkswagen Type 3 (1500/1600) was sold between 1961 and 1973 as the Volkswagen 1500 and later the Volkswagen 1600 and was a compact car from Volkswagen. The Type 3 was first shown at the IAA Frankfurt in 1961. Fuel injection became available in 1968, making it the first German series-produced car to be equipped with it. Despite its modern design, the Type 3 never became as popular as the Beetle.

Volkswagen type 3

Volkswagen Type 3 interior

The Type 3s were powered by a rear-mounted, air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine with either a 1493 cc or a 1584 cc displacement. These produced 45 hp and 54 hp, respectively. The models were available with both a four-speed manual transmission and a 3-speed automatic (from 1967).

By placing the engine at the rear, Volkswagen was able to offer a spacious mid-size car with this model, in which the Variant and TL versions had luggage space under both the front and rear hoods. Between 1961 and 1973, no fewer than 2.542.382 Type 3s were sold.

Success in the US

Volkswagen of America began importing the Type 3 in 1966. In the United States, the Type 3 had to compete with the Chevrolet Corvair, in which a rear-mounted 6-cylinder air-cooled engine was fitted to sedans and station wagons specifically for the American market.

Volkswagen offered this model in a lower trim level in Europe, marketed as the 1600A. In the US, and only for 1973, Volkswagen offered two trim levels of the Type 3: the Basic and Basic Compact. The Basic Compact had less content, including limited color and trim availability, and lacked a chrome trim, clock, and electric rear window defroster. It had painted frames around the vent windows, a black cardboard trunk lining over the gas tank without lining on the sides of the trunk or over the heat shield, plain vinyl door panels without door pockets, and rubber mats instead of interior carpet.

Versions of the Type 3

The Type 3 came onto the market in various versions:

• a sedan called a Limousine (notchback)
• a station wagon named Variant (squareback)
• a coupe named Fastback (fastback)

Volkswagen 1500/1600 station wagon

The Type 4 was produced by Volkswagen simultaneously with the Type 3. This model became primarily known as the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia based on the Type 3. In 1973, the Type 3 was succeeded by the Volkswagen PassatEnthusiasts of the 1500/1600 can of course take a look at the website of the air-cooled Volkswagen fan club.

Mike and Ant from Wheeler Dealers also take a Type 3 under their wing and don't hide their enthusiasm for this model. They manage to restore an example to pristine condition in an entertaining and enthusiastic manner, subsequently selling it to an enthusiast.