The Forgotten Volkswagen?
Bearing a blue Florida Antique license plate, this Volkswagen 1600 Fastback was a rare sighting in Gulfport. Recognising the need to expand its product range to reflect rising prosperity and consumer aspirations in its European and American markets, VW launched the 1500 cc Type 3 design in Sedan and Variant station wagon forms in late 1961. By then upgraded to the VW 1600, the Hatchback version was added in 1967. It sold in good numbers until production was phased out in late 1973. In all, some 2.45 million Type 3s were produced between 1961 and 1973. Somehow though, the model has slipped from popular memory, never gaining the deep public affection of its Beetle predecessor. The use of lower quality steel from c.1971 affected survival rates too.
The Forgotten Volkswagen?
Bearing a blue Florida Antique license plate, this Volkswagen 1600 Fastback was a rare sighting in Gulfport. Recognising the need to expand its product range to reflect rising prosperity and consumer aspirations in its European and American markets, VW launched the 1500 cc Type 3 design in Sedan and Variant station wagon forms in late 1961. By then upgraded to the VW 1600, the Hatchback version was added in 1967. It sold in good numbers until production was phased out in late 1973. In all, some 2.45 million Type 3s were produced between 1961 and 1973. Somehow though, the model has slipped from popular memory, never gaining the deep public affection of its Beetle predecessor. The use of lower quality steel from c.1971 affected survival rates too.