- 3,655
- Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA
1961-1973 Volkswagen Type 3 nominated by @Volksauto
Body Style: 2-Door Fastback, 2-Door Notchback S, 2-Door Wagon, 2-Door Sport Coupé, 4-Door Fastback, 4-Door Notchback
Engine: 1.5L H4, 1.6L H4
Power: 44-65hp
Torque: 77 lb-ft
Weight: 880kg
Transmission: 3-speed automatic, 4-speed manual
Drivetrain: rear-engine, rear-wheel drive
Additional Information: Throughout the 1950’s, Volkswagen made various prototypes of vehicles with the goal of creating a potential vehicle to replace the Type 1 Beetle. In 1961 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen unveiled their all new car, the Type 3. The Type 3 was Volkswagen’s most modern and most luxurious model to date. Gone was the bulbous articulated fenders from the Beetle and in were flush “ponton” fenders with a low roof line and modern design.
The Type 3 was air-cooled but had an all new motor, a 1.5L unit with dual carburetors and had a redesigned cooling system making the engine much more flat and space efficient dubbing it the "Pancake Motor". This allowed the Type 3 to be much more spacious with two luggage compartments. One trunk in the front and one trunk in the back. The Type 3 was a revolutionary, advanced car which has features and technologies found in almost every car built today. In 1968, the Type 3 switched from carbureted to electronic fuel injection (EFI). EFI was experimentally used by Mopar in the late 1950's but in very minimal numbers. The VW Type 3 was the world's first mass produced car with EFI. The system used was called Jetronic made by Bosch. The Jetronic system also had what was called the "Brain Box" making it the first mass produced automotive ECU. This ECU in the Type 3 also had another first. This was the first car to feature on-board diagnostics.
The Type 3 didn't end up replacing the Beetle. But in it's lifespan, VW sold over 2.5 million. And the car would be the start of a new chapter for VW. Influencing cars such as the Porsche 914, VW Type 4, and the VW Passat, the Type 3 was Volkswagen's first modern car.
Body Style: 2-Door Fastback, 2-Door Notchback S, 2-Door Wagon, 2-Door Sport Coupé, 4-Door Fastback, 4-Door Notchback
Engine: 1.5L H4, 1.6L H4
Power: 44-65hp
Torque: 77 lb-ft
Weight: 880kg
Transmission: 3-speed automatic, 4-speed manual
Drivetrain: rear-engine, rear-wheel drive
Additional Information: Throughout the 1950’s, Volkswagen made various prototypes of vehicles with the goal of creating a potential vehicle to replace the Type 1 Beetle. In 1961 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen unveiled their all new car, the Type 3. The Type 3 was Volkswagen’s most modern and most luxurious model to date. Gone was the bulbous articulated fenders from the Beetle and in were flush “ponton” fenders with a low roof line and modern design.
The Type 3 was air-cooled but had an all new motor, a 1.5L unit with dual carburetors and had a redesigned cooling system making the engine much more flat and space efficient dubbing it the "Pancake Motor". This allowed the Type 3 to be much more spacious with two luggage compartments. One trunk in the front and one trunk in the back. The Type 3 was a revolutionary, advanced car which has features and technologies found in almost every car built today. In 1968, the Type 3 switched from carbureted to electronic fuel injection (EFI). EFI was experimentally used by Mopar in the late 1950's but in very minimal numbers. The VW Type 3 was the world's first mass produced car with EFI. The system used was called Jetronic made by Bosch. The Jetronic system also had what was called the "Brain Box" making it the first mass produced automotive ECU. This ECU in the Type 3 also had another first. This was the first car to feature on-board diagnostics.
The Type 3 didn't end up replacing the Beetle. But in it's lifespan, VW sold over 2.5 million. And the car would be the start of a new chapter for VW. Influencing cars such as the Porsche 914, VW Type 4, and the VW Passat, the Type 3 was Volkswagen's first modern car.
