Re: [T3] Type 36-265 Variant Panel Van

[Simon Glen <simonglen@bigpond.com>]

Jim,

Thank you for your correction about early Notchback and Fastback type numbers.  Yes,
I had forgotten about this added complication.

You worry about "S, N, A, TL" name tags.  It is even more confusing.  Here in
Australia the 1966 and 1967 Fastbacks (which in Australia still had drum brakes)
were marked as the "TS".  Then, from 1971 to 1973 the longnose Notchback was also
marketed as the "TS" while from 1969 the Fastback became the "TL" and "TLE".  In
Britain during the early seventies their Type 3s were basic trim models but with
fuel injection.  So, the Fastbacks were the "TE" and the Squarebacks were the "E",
though some Fastbacks with twin carbs were marketed as the "T".  Yet, a friend here
in Australia has a RHD 1973 squareback privately imported from Europe with the
inscription on the back "Variant LE".  So, Type 3s have been N, S, A, T, TE, TL,
TLE, E, L, LE and TS.  And in Brazil there has been the "TC" (see below).  Then, the
1972 -1973 Austrlian CKD-assembled Fastbacks, Notchbacks and Squarebacks all had an
additional neat little chromed "Type 3" inscription fixed to both front wings (front
fenders) just behind the headlights.

And, while the term "Variant" was not used for the US/CDN and Australian markerts, I
always thought it referred to a station wagon with seats and windows in the back and
a rear hatch (the Type 36) but the 1968-model Type 3 Panel Van which I bought new in
Zambia had the inscription "VW1600 Variant" on the rear hatch - a vehicle with no
rear seats or windows.

Then, of course, Volkswagen do Brasil Ltda went its own way.  The Brazilian Type 3s
have different "Type" codes.  The 4-door "1600L" and "1600L Luxe" (a Notchback), the
2-door and 4-door "1600TL" (a Fastback) and "1600 Variant" are all "Tipo 103".  The
2-door "Karmann-Ghia 1600TC" coupe is a "Tipo 145".  The "SP-1" and "SP-2"
sportscars are "Tipo 149".  All these vehicles have variations of the wide Type 3
floorpan, the Type 3 cross-over front torsion bars and the Type 3 rear subframe
torsion bar and swing axle rear suspension.

Perhaps the only sure way to go is to describe a Type 3 by its model year, three
digit Type code, its M-Options and even, perhaps, its country of manufacture!

It can all becomes a bit of a nightmare if we try to be too precise.  Yet, we all
still tend to know what we are talking about!

Regards,

Simon Glen
Toowoomba, Australia.


Jim Adney wrote:

> On 31 Jan 2001, at 21:23, Simon Glen wrote:
>
> > This sort of thing really annoys me about Volkswagen AG.  They mess around with
> > names far too much.
>
> While your observation is certainly true, I'm not sure who to blame.
> It's not clear how autonomous the local importers are in these
> issues.
>
> > When it come s to the "Type 3" as we common know the 1500/1600 notchback,
> > fastback and squareback, I undewrstand that there are only the following Type
> > codes:
> >
> > 311 Fastback (LHD)
> > 312 Fastback (RHD)
> > 313 Fastback sunroof (LHD)
> > 314 Fastback sunroof (RHD)
> > 315 Notchback (LHD)
> > 316 Notchback (RHD)
> > 317 Notchback sunroof (LHD)
> > 318 Notchback sunroof (RHD)
> > 343 Karmann Ghia coupe (LHD)
> > 344 Karmann Ghia coupe (RHD)
> > 345 Karmann Ghia sunroof (LHD)
> > 346 Karmann Ghia sunroof (RHD)
> > 361 Variant or squareback "L" (LHD)
> > 362 Variant or squareback "L" (RHD)
> > 363 Variant or squareback "L" sunroof (LHD)
> > 364 Variant or squareback "L" sunroof (RHD)
> > 365 Variant or squareback "A" (LHD)
> > 366 Variant or squareback "A" (RHD)
> > 367 Variant or squareback "A" sunroof (LHD)
> > 368 Variant or squareback "A" sunroof (RHD)
>
> At first I thought you had managed to make sense out of a very
> confusing problem, but when I got home and checked the microfilm I
> find that things were not so clear. For example:
>
> Models 311, 312, 313, 314 were notches up to July 65.
>
> Models 361-4 were <plain>, S, or L versions, depending on the year.
>
> Models 365-8 were N, <plain>, or A versions, depending on the year.
>
> For me, the confusing thing is why were there ever the S, N, A, L,
> TL, etc versions called out and given official status, when they
> simply consisted of modifications to a basic platform. To me it makes
> sense to distinguish RHD from LHD, and perhaps even the sunroof. I
> would have made the AT so it could have been retrofitted into an MT
> car and vice/versa. Then any other changes would have just been
> assembly choices, which could have been changed at the dealer if
> necessary.
>
> I agree, really confusing.
>
> -
> *******************************
> Jim Adney, jadney@vwtype3.org
> Madison, Wisconsin, USA
> *******************************
>
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