The Volkswagen Type 3
After the Type 1 (the Beetle) and the Type 2 (the Transporter) Volkswagen produced the Type 3.
The basics and the wheel base of the Volkswagen 1500/1600 were identical to the Beetle. The engine was an improved Beetle flat engine with also improved air cooling system. The models were the Variant, known as Squareback in the USA. It was the estate version. The saloon versions were the Notchback (Stufenheck) and the Fastback (Fliessheck). A convertible was announced but never built.
From 1961 to 1973 more than 2.5 million cars were produced. The Type 3 was much more a family car than the Type 1. There was more space for the passengers and for the luggage, as the engine was located under a panel in the rear boot.
The originally single- or dual-carburetted 1.5 L engine was upgraded to a 1.6 L engine in 1966. In 1968 the 1600 was the first car with electronic fuel injection pioneered by Bosch. This was the 1600E version. E stands for Einspritzung, the German word for injection.
Specifications
- German production 1961-1973 – Notchback/Fastback: 1,339,124, Variant: 1,202,935
- Class – compact car
- Body styles – 2-door estate car, 2-door coupe, 3-door hatchback
- Engines – 1.5 or 1.6 L H4
- Transmissions – 4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
- 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)
- Kerb weight – from 880 kg (1,940 lb)
- Fuel capacity – 40 L
The Bulli
Until 2007 Bulli was the unofficial name of the Volkswagen Transporter. In 2007 the Kaessbohrer company sold the rights to the name to Volkswagen. The T1 was the first of the T-series and produced from 1950 to 1967. First in Wolfsburg and later in Hanover.
Three different models were produced, the minibus (VW Bus), the panel van (VW Kastenwagen), and the pick up truck (VW Pritschenwagen). Typical for the T1 was the split windscreen. The early T1 had the Beetle flat-4 engine, a flat engine with 4 cylinders, and 25 hp, rear-wheel drive, drum brakes and a swing axle in the rear and torsion springs. The coachwork was constructed for a payload of more than 900 kg.
The T2 (1967-1979) was an improved version of the T1 and the T3 (1979-1992) had a totally different design and was bigger. The T4(1990-2003) was the first with front-wheel drive, and the T5 (since 2003) is the latest model.
