Variant Graveyard

[johanb]

Are there any Capetonians taking a trip to KZN
Love to place a order for a 411

[Variant]

Took a quick trip to Melmoth yesterday. Really heartbreaking to know that these were once good cars in running order that were traded in and never sold again. There are 8 type 3's and 2 type 4's. The cars are mostly complete but very, very badly rotten - IMHO not worth tryring to restore but might be useful for parts. My interest was with the type 3's:

1964 Variant S, Ch. No. 0399211
1965 Variant S, Ch. No. 365121034
1965 Variant S, Ch. No. 365122014
1966 1600 Squareback, Ch. No. 366211028
1966 1600TL Fastback, Ch. No. 316210746
1967 1600TL Fastback, unable to determine chassis number
1967 1600 Sedan, unable to determine chassis number (no rear window, sorry )
1968 1600L Squareback, Ch. No. 368040511

Regards,

[beetlefanatic]

Thanks for the feedback. Pity about the sedan back window.

What is a variant s? I thought a variant and squareback was the same thing.

[Variant]

When the Type 3 was introduced to the SA Market in 1963 the sedan was known as the 'VW1500' and the stationwagon was called the VW 1500 Variant. 1964 saw the arrival of the S models which had fancier interior and exterior trim. The twin carburettor engine arrived in 1965 and then the cars were advertised as the VW1500 Twin S & VW1500 Variant Twin S. The VW1600TL Fastback was introduced in 1966 and at the same time the Variant was renamed VW1600 Squareback to better differentiate between the two. These model names were manitained until the end of production. Interestingly the sedan was never officially known as the Notchback although it is a direct translation of the German Stufenheck which did appear in VAG sales brochures.

So, yes: Variant/Squareback = stationwagon.

Now, it always irks me at these car shows whenever some oke points a finger at my Notchback and calls it a Veriant sedan...

Regards,

[lowlight]

... But I still love your veriant sedan