Should replace the bubble
The VW Type 3 was to take over from the Type 1 and bring Volkswagen further into the future. The Type 3 came on the market in 1961 and offered more space and a more contemporary look. The Type 3's 3-box design was a perfect fit for early 60s car design. The Type 3 came in three variants, Notchback (3-box sedan), Fastback and Variant, - also called Squareback. We know how it went. The Type 3 was discontinued after the 1973 model year, when Volkswagen introduced the Golf. And Bobla? It never died...?
Model history
The first variant in the Type 3 family was the Notchback – it came as a 1961 model. 2-door 5-seater built on the same platform as the peoplecart bobla. In 1962 came the Variant – station wagon version with 3 doors. In 1966, the Fastback edition came. All had a 1500 engine from the start – and were marketed under the name Volkswagen 1500. From the 1970 model year, all Type 3s got a 1600 engine and a facelift. The most visible change was the redesigned front with large turn signals that were also visible from the side.
About the pictures
The photo of the white Fastback edition in the main photo was taken in the car park outside The VolksWorld exhibition at Sandown, UK. The inside picture from the exhibition was taken at the same location – also the one photographed with a “Zwitter”. The beige Fastback version was photographed at the Aircooled meeting in Tossa De Mar, Catalonia. The green “notchback” was taken when members of Veteran Volkswagen Club stopped for a break at Nebbenes. The red one at another event that the VVW club organized at Sætre. The smoke gray car is pictured at a car meet in Perpignan, France. The yellow car, once marketed as a Volkswagen 1600, was photographed at the Oslo Motor Show 2021.
Click on an image to view in a larger format.
Copyright notice
See
