It must have appeared indulgent of Volkswagen when it revealed the Type 3 in 1961. Into a range up to that point comprising just two models, the Type 1 ‘Beetle’ and Type ‘Transporter’, launched one chassis with two suits: Variant and Notchback. A third, the Fastback, followed a few years later.
An estate, sleek two-door saloon and coupé, in other words.
They shared the same steel underpinnings, the same 1.5-litre air-cooled engine and boasted fully independent suspension all round. It was, in many ways, a mirror of the thinking at Cowley and Longbridge, where the Mini range was similarly expanding around the same time.
Type 3s in any shape are rarities in the UK, though more commonly found – if not common – in America. You’ll find one on the Winter Wagons lawn at the Scramble on Sunday 8 January, though.
It’s a clever little estate car, too. A rear-engined layout is not the first choice for an estate car, but it overcomes the slight issue by dropping it low into the chassis. The result is around 700 litres of space, double with the seats flat. ‘But that’s not the end of it,’ VW USA pointed out in its launch material. ‘Up front there’s a second luggage compartment. A 6.5 cubic footer.
‘It is a pleasant surprise. Like buying a suit and finding you get two pairs of pants.’
Quite.
More than 2.6 million Type 3s were built before production ceased in 1973. Just a year later, a certain Golf hit the showrooms and the curious but endearing Type 3 was instantly in the shadows.
But it will be back in the limelight at the Scramble among 30 more Winter Wagons. Tickets are sold out, but the waitlist is running for any returns. Join here.
