Models such as the Beetle, Karmann Ghia and the T1 and T2 van classics are regularly encountered on sunny days. Thanks to Techzle reader Arjan van den Berg, another air-cooled Volkswagen is in the spotlights of In het Wild today. What about this Type 3 1600 Variant?
Volkswagen presented a Beetle-based model family at the IAA in Frankfurt in 1961, which appeared in many variants. The Type 3 series, which appeared on the market as 1500 and 1600, included a two-door sedan (Ponton), a two-door Fastback (TL) and the station wagon visible in these photos, which in the Netherlands as Variant and in the United States as Squareback went through life.
The Volkswagen ‘Type 36’ in this photo, as the Variant of the Type-3 family was also called, dates from 1972 and crossed the Dutch border for the first time in 2001. Just like the Beetle, the Type 3 had an air-cooled boxer engine in the back. The 1500 had a 45 hp 1.5, the 1600 was endowed with the more powerful 1.6 with 54 hp. With the models of the Type 3 family, which had to tolerate the Type 4 series consisting of the 411 and 412 above it, Volkswagen had a more modern-looking and especially wider alternative to the Beetle in the range. Like the Beetle, the Type 3 models had a luggage compartment not only in the nose, but also in the rear. After all, the engine was neatly concealed under a floor.
The specimen in these photos looks very tight and is undoubtedly cherished by a caring owner. A nice, not entirely original detail are the Fuchs wheels on which this baby blue Variant rolls through life.
Have you also noticed something special? Please send your photos to journaal.autoweek@autoweek.nl. A broad concept is special! In the Wild everything passes by, from old Hondaatjes Civic to Saturns Vue and from Opel’s Rekord to Peugeots 403 and, Datsuns 100A and Mercury’s Park Lane.