Volkswagen 1600 Fastback

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Volkswagen were determined not to become a one model brand, the Beetle (Type 1) having dominated their focus for much of the time since its commercial introduction after the war.

The T1-based forward control commercial (the Type 2) had become a phenomenon by the time the Type 3 passenger car made its debut in 1961. Based on a similar structure to the Beetle, it was longer, wider and much more contemporary looking, although a 1,500cc flat-four air-cooled engine was still hidden away at the rear.

Initially sold as a two-door ‘Notchback’, by 1965 the engine capacity had increased to 1,600cc and new ‘Fastback’ and ‘Variant’ estate models had been added to the range. Never quite the runaway success that Volkswagen had hoped, they still managed to shift over 1.34 million of them, large numbers selling in America where they competed head to head with the rear-engined Chevrolet Corvair.

Gaining weight and luxuries along the way, they were joined by the distinctly average T4 range of rear-engined large saloons in 1969, both models being replaced by the altogether more conventional Passat in 1973 which was to tick all of the boxes with the motoring press and buying public alike.

Remarkably quirky for what was meant to be a main-stream saloon, they offered reasonable performance, acceptable comfort and traditional Volkswagen build quality. The T3 was also one of the few cars to offer luggage capacity fore and aft, a feature which VW America promoted in a series of adverts in which Dustin Hoffman showed off the interior of the Fastback model but couldn’t find where the engine was. The tagline to the ad was "Your VW dealer will show you where the motor is."

This fine looking bright yellow T3 1600 Fastback was first registered in Sheffield in 1972 and has had just two owners from new. Over the years it has covered under 54,000 miles and was delivered with black ‘faux weave’ upholstery which it retains to this day.

Treated to a comprehensive restoration in 1994 (photos of which are on file), it has seen little use and been well cared for ever since. The history file includes its service record and 11 old MOTs, its current ticket expiring in mid-November 2016. The car has also recently had a thorough service.

Never enjoying the same popularity as the Beetle and equally vulnerable to the ravages of corrosion, the number of T3 survivors is relatively low. As a consequence, this super two-owner low mileage Fastback is a rare machine and causes great interest amongst the fanatical VW owning fraternity wherever it goes.