Volkswagen

Introduced at the 1961 Frankfurt International Motor Show, the Type 3 was marketed as the Volkswagen 1500 in two-door saloon, fastback, and station wagon body styles. The Type 3 diversified Volkswagen's product range, while retaining its hallmark engineering features: the air-cooled rear-engine, rear-wheel drive train, body-on-chassis construction, as well as torsion bar front and rear suspension. Production of the saloon began in August 1961, the station wagon followed in February 1962. Twelve prototype convertibles were also built, but never entered production.

1961

1962

1963

The fastback version arrived in August 1965, along with the 1600 engine. Volkswagen's intention was that this model should replace the saloon, which is what happened in the UK market. However, in other markets, including the German domestic market, the number of customers preferring the older saloon was higher than foreseen, and in the end both saloon and fastback remained in production until July 1973. For the 1968 model year, the 1600E (Einspritzung) models were the first mass produced automobiles with electronic fuel injection available as optional equipment. 

1965

1968

Type 3 models received a facelift in 1970, with a revised front end, adding 42 litres to the luggage capacity. At the same time they received revised bumpers, as well as larger tail lamps and front indicators. As Volkswagen started to produce front-wheel-drive water-cooled designs, production at the Wolfsburg plant ended in 1973. The Wolfsburg production facilities were then retooled to build the Golf.