Closing date July issue -> May 19
Volkswagen Variant (Type 3) (1971): “factory” quality for Ben
If you drive a classic or vintage car, you show who you are, or want to be. Ben's car hobby is almost a life story.
A short autobiography
Connoisseurs know: when you talk about the Volkswagen Type 3, you are referring to the compact car that came onto the market as the Volkswagen 1500 and later the 1600. In the 1960s, the VW passenger car range consisted only of various versions of the VW Beetle. Other brands were introducing larger and more spacious cars, and Volkswagen now also offered a model with more space and luxury. The VW 1500 was shown for the first time at the IAA in Frankfurt and was once again technically based on the VW Beetle.
It concerned the well-known, rear-mounted air-cooled 4-cylinder boxer engine: 1493 cc and 45 hp for the 1500, and 1584 cc and 54 hp for the 1600. With this, Volkswagen could also offer a spacious mid-size car. The Ponton had more space, but the Variant really offered a sea of room.
What determines the value as a classic?
Questions such as: where does the car come from, who were the previous owners, what is the condition of this car, completely original or restored? The valuation report for this Volkswagen answers all those questions. The history is documented in great detail regarding maintenance and usage, a rarity for this type of Volkswagen.
A small selection from the report: the bodywork is in excellent condition and the car has been professionally repainted. All box sections, floor panels, and the inside of the fenders are in like-new condition. The engine compartment is excellently maintained, great care has been taken with the overall maintenance, and the interior is also described as particularly fine.
It is an original Type 3. The documentation shows that everything was meticulously recorded by the first owner in California: invoices, inspections, and even fuel consumption. The quality of the vehicle is excellent, absolutely rust-free, with a beautiful interior and a good technical state of maintenance. The RDW does make a small mistake by calling the color brown; the original color is simply beige. The condition of the Volkswagen is comparable to "factory delivery," and connoisseurs in the classic car world know that such a thing rarely occurs.
Who is Ben?
Ben is an entrepreneur in the automotive industry and also has a private collection of classic cars. At Ben van Tilburg in Marknesse, craftsmanship and a personal approach come first. Not tied to a specific brand, but committed to providing the best possible service.
In addition to his daily work on modern cars, he is deeply attached to his classics. They are an important part of his leisure time. They exude timelessness; he enjoys the mere sight of them in his classic workshop. Collecting has been a part of his life for years, and the collection is growing unnoticed. That is also the reason he is passing this American VW Squareback, or Variant, on to another enthusiast—someone who can enjoy classics with the same passion. This is how we keep classic heritage alive on the road.
Also worth reading
These parts relate to the Volkswagen Variant or are at least closely related to it.
- Volkswagen 411 LE Variant from 1972 by Pieter Gjaltema. letzter traditional Volkswagen.
- Volkswagen Passat Variant GT (1992): Everyone's friend for Timen.
You will find more photos further down.
The like-new condition of the floorboards and box beams sounds great, but I am always curious what has remained truly original after repainting.
Space in the back, and the engine in the back?
Strange combination . . ..
My father once had a 1600 TL; same technology, but still a very different car from a Beetle. That air cooling and the space in the back—it really had something unique about it.
Yes, I had one too, and indeed it was sluggish and thirsty. Later I traded it in for a pontoon; it was sluggish and later I had problems with the engine. It was out from underneath in 20 minutes, another one was installed at the scrapyard, and off it went...
Even back then, a severely outdated and obsolete concept. It was sluggish and very thirsty. Traded it in for an Ami 8. What a world of difference in terms of comfort and fuel consumption.
In 1969, my father's first company car. A white Variant with license plate 39-81-HT.
Traded in after a year and a half and 85.000 km for a much more comfortable R16.
You don't often come across such a documented history from California. Then I understand why such an appraisal report suddenly says more than just a price.
Type 3 remains undervalued alongside the Beetle. That Variant, in particular, is so practical.