To
begin with did you know that in 1959 Wolfsburg's home customers had
to wait up to 13 months for delivery of their Beetle?
The
Type III Notchback appeared in 1961 in Germany with a 1500cc engine
having a horizontal type carburettor rather than a vertical one.
This was due to a luggage compartment directly over the engine.
The 1500cc engine could hit 81MPH (130km/hr). The Type III had the
same 94.5" wheel base as the 1961 Beetle but developed 53HP compared
to the 40HP of the Beetle.
In
1961 a 1500cc Type III cost 250 pounds ($500.00) more than a Beetle
due to the larger motor and a more comfortable ride. The seats were
very comfortable - being wider, more contoured and softer. These
comparisons only prove that you get what you pay for. The price
of the car was 1199 pounds ($2398.00) in 1961 and later on in 1967,
you could purchase one from Light Motors in Adelaide for 2098 pounds
($4196.00).
The
range covered the commonly known, Notchback, Fastback, Station Wagen
and "S" Model Notch back, which all had different identities and
appearances as the years progressed. The Type III had a 6 volt electrical
system up until 1967 and also had a 1600cc motor. From here on in
the 12 volt electrical system was in all Volksies. The Type III,
like all VW's received constant changes over the approximately 42
year Air Cooled period. One is never amazed at what pops up in a
Type III, with various models being the subject of an extreme range
of modifications. Sadly the very last production run for the Type
III Notchback at Wolfsburg was April 1973. Local production endowed
Australia with a disproportionately large quota of Type III's but
numbers here are now in decline.
Volkswagens
of all categories have been part of my life and I still have a soft
spot for the Beetle, probably because I spent 2 ½ years restoring
a 1954 which also took a 1st place trophy at a Show and Shine.
Bill Robilliard - June 2001
