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The range launched in August 1961 with two models: the Notchback featuring ponton, three-box styling in a notchback saloon body, and the Karmann Ghia 1500 (also known as the Type 34 Karmann Ghia) with a coupé body. The first Variant (known as the Squareback in the USA) with an estate body followed in 1962. The Fastback, or TL version, a fastback coupé, arrived in August 1965. A convertible was announced with the original models, but did not enter production. The Type 3 was introduced to diversify Volkswagen's product range beyond the existing Type 1 (Beetle), the Karmann Ghia, and the Type 2 (Bus). The Type 3 was designed as a more sophisticated car while retaining much of the engineering from the Type 1. Though available to much of the world, the Type 3 line was not exported to the United States through Volkswagen of America until the 1966 model year, when the Squareback and Fastback were added to their line-up. The most significant face-lift, visually, took place in 1970 when the car underwent a 115 mm (4.5 in) nose-lengthening which added 1.5 cubic feet to the luggage capacity. Production ended in 1973 at the Wolfsburg plant, with production moving to VW's new Emden plant, which was later retooled in 1973 to build the Passat (B1, also known as Dasher). The Wolfsburg plant was retooled to build the Golf. |
