V.I.S.I.T. – The VW Rastavariant?
The stance is perfect. Just low enough to look sexy.
We received these photos from Tony, who snapped them while he was visiting Jakarta, in Indonesia. Now, the notchback is always a beautiful car, but this particular example managed to set the hearts of the Hooniverse editors aflame.
The rear quarter window has me a bit perplexed; perhaps someone can enlighten us?
The modifications done to it are subtle, just a few touches here and there; nevertheless they work together, and look fantastic. Our own goingincirclez said it reminded him of a miniaturized ’49 Ford.
Looks completely stock. Well done to the creator!
Of course, this minor modification is what makes the car so interesting, and causes it to induce a smile. The logo is brilliantly done, and strange enough to cause one to wonder if it was, in fact, a real name for a Volkswagen. The only quibble I could bring up would be that the notchback is not actually a “Variant” model. That title belongs to the Shooting Brake version of the Type 3. Nevertheless, we’ll forgive that little detail.
Blatantly stolen from the LongRoofFan's website. If you ask nicely, maybe he'll share the address.
As a bonus, here’s a photo our longrooffan snapped a few years ago of an American-issue Notchback, should anyone need it for a comparison.
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I just don't get the lust over the Type 3 notchback. Sure, it's rare in the US, but it's also the dullest looking of the never-exciting Type 3 lineup. This one with the chopped roof, however, isn't bad.
Heh, I just noticed the chop myself before reading your comment. The odd quarter window was the first thing that sent me aflutter. It almost looks like it came right off a Beetle. Looks great with its slightly lowered stance as well. I wouldn't change a thing.
I think the lust for the T3 Notcher is exactly *because* it's so dull… it's almost like the stealth, anti-cute veedub of its era. I mean, a company long revered and celebrated for cutesy, overly round designs suddenly adopted a shoebox. Not to the extent of the T3 wagon of course, but the more I see these, the more I like them. They're not quite as showy or cliched as their brethren, and not quite as famous as the wagons. As a true outlier therefore, it speaks to the counter-counter culture. A sort of Xzibit of VeeDubs if you will….
Perhaps you'll find this Type 3 notchback a bit more stimulating.
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4752935380_6324ca8913_o.jpg" width="1024" height="704" alt="65 jamt rally waldegard helmer vw" />
Sorry for the full sized image Hooniverse overlords, but bigger is sometimes better.
Eh. All it shows me is that you can rally anything.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2990286918_bd3a66566b.jpg" width=400>
Oh, I completely agree.
I like this a lot. It's evocative of a shoebox Ford tudor.
The mods are excellent. I like these little notchbacks in the same why I like the Anglia and Marina. Underpowered little mediocre cars that went unloved in their time, but remind me of a life I never lived.
I'm afraid I don't get the whole air-cooled VW thing. To me these cars were a pox and various models nearly killed several relatives and family friends in the seventies. I also can't stand driving them or the noise they make.
Having said all that, this is a very, very handsome little car.
Friends off, Number_Six. Just for that, when we get our Westfalia, you don\’t get to come camping with us.
Not that there\’d really be room anyhow…
I knew this would get me in trouble. I deliberately provoked you by leaving out the part that I totally understand and condone Westfalia love.
I always thought the Rastavariant VW was the Type 1. It's the #1 choice for pot smokers.
Surely the Type 2…?
I've always been a fan of the VW Type 3, especially the Squareback and Notchbacks. I just like they way they look, unlike anything else out there at the time. Hell, I'm a fan of ALL the air-cooled V-Dubs, even though my own 59 VW Baja tried to kill me every time I drove the damn thing. I kept a picture of a custom Squareback in my Navy lockers for years next to a favorite sexy pinup girl. (before tailhook)
Having grown up around Hippy aunts and uncles I was totally used to the VW quirks and admire their indestructibility. I remember 6 of us cousins (all between 5-9 years old) helping my aunt push start a 58 Bus after stopping for ice cream and forgetting to park on a hill. Another aunt flipped 3 bugs in a row before moving on to flipping Ford Couriers. She's still with us… still driving badly.
This little Notchback is one of the sweetest I've seen in a long time. Thanks for making my day.
In my internet search of type 3 notchbacks, I came across two things of note.
A. Fuchs work well:
<img src="http://image.automotive.com/f/features/9919985+pheader/epcp_0807_01_z+1964_volkswagen_type_lll_notchback+front_view.jpg">
and B. What the hell is that?
<img src="http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/502137.jpg" width="600">
It's strange seeing a VW where the bonnet is actually the bonnet.
actually Notchbacks were a greymarket import… none official thats part of the draw…
should have kept my 1965 1500s dual carb model