VW 1500, 1600, 411 and 412: Books - History and Models

The Book of the Volkswagen Type 3

This book tells the definitive international story of the Volkswagen Type 3. Simon Glen writes from first-hand experience, having owned seven Type 3s - five Variants, a 1500 Notchback and a 1500S Karmann - Ghia - which have been driven through Africa, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Covering the Type 3's 20 year production span, and detailing Type 3 Notchbacks, Fastbacks, Variants and the Karmann Ghia, this book provides a fascinating insight into the history and production of these classic cars.

Models covered:
- German-made Volkswagen Type 3 notchbacks, Fastbacks and Variants (1961 - 1973) VW Type 3 Karmann - Gia ( 1961 - 1969)
- South African - made VW Type 3s (1963 - 1969)
- Australian-made VW Type 3s (1963-1973)
- Brazilian VW versions similar to the VW Type 3s (1968-1981)
- Brazilian VW Karmann Ghia C
- the VWType 3s (1968-1981)
- Brazilian VW Karmann Ghia C and S models (1970 - 1976)
- Prototypes of these vehicles.

Models not covered: VW 'T3' (T25) Transporter.

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Volkswagen Type 4 - 411 and 412 : The final rear-engined VW cars

This in-depth study of the VW Type 4, Wolfsburg's first luxury car and Volkswagen's final all new air-cooled car, is dedicated to Volkswagen's 411 and 412 models. The Type 4 was Volkswagen's final new design in a 30-year air-cooled odyssey. It held to VW tradition, while introducing new engineering directions and refinements.
If ever there was a car in search of a context and a market, it was the Type 4. Volkswagen's first foray in the upmarket sector brought engineering innovation to Wolfsburg, and aimed to convince buyers worldwide that Volkswagen still had the right stuff.

With Porsche design origins, signs were hopeful for the Type 4. But the car was released in a period of rapid change for the auto market, and while the Type 4's tech portfolio ran to unitary construction and fuel injection, it faced stiff competition from Detroit's European subsidiaries.
All the while, VW was searching for its place in future auto markets, and faced challenging developments such as the fuel crisis, and Japanese competition in North America.

The 411 and 412 brought a new dimension in comfort to VW, and its hardware design was utilized by air-cooled enthusiasts both on- and off-road. The Type 4 even gained praise for its sportscar-like handling from Car and Track, when compared to midsize domestic cars of the day: and it has never lost the power to surprise.

Contents:
- Model history of VW Type 4 411 & 412
- Design origins of the VW Type 4
- Specification and performance tables
- Original cartoon caricatures by the author
- Archive picture items
- Analysis of VW's air to water cooled transition
- VW Group business in the 20th century
- VW sportscars & offroaders overview
- Government service Type 4 pictures
- An evaluation of the VW Type 4 and its rivals.

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VW 1500 / 1600 - Typ 3 (1961-1973) (Schrader Typen Chronik)

The Volkswagen Type 3 was not (quite) as successful as the Beetle, but with almost 2.6 million units built between 1961 and 1973, VW's first mid-range car was certainly no flop.

Achim Gaier documents the history of this successful model and its appearance in contemporary advertising materials, brochures and press reports in this volume of the successful series "Schrader-Typen-Chronik".

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Volkswagen Typ 3: Geschichte, Technik, Varianten

VW delivered its first mid-range model, the Type 3, in 1961. It was actually a Beetle with a trunk, not really big, and more of a small car in terms of dimensions and new price. But because of its relatively large engine capacity, it was considered mid-range. It was presented as the VW 1500 at the 40th IAA in Frankfurt and more than 3 million units were built by 1980.

Automotive expert Simon Glen has created a literary monument to the Type 3 with this book. He doesn't just look at the Beetle's big brother from a German perspective. He also looks at foreign markets where the Type 3 established itself. For example, the South American Type 3 derivatives, including the fast SP2, as well as the history of the Karmann-Ghia Type 35.

Only a few examples of this classic car are still available in this country, which makes this thoroughly researched book all the more important as an invaluable source of information with an incredible number of pictures of even the most unusual special versions of the Volkswagen Type 3 from all over the world.

• All model variations of the Type 3 in one book
• With technical data and specifications
• With model and color codes & chassis numbers
• Development history, technology and design

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Die Großen Volkswagen - Typ 3, Typ 4, Karmann-Ghia

The VW Beetle soon became too small for the affluent citizens of the economic miracle. Buyers and dealers alike demanded a "big Volkswagen". They got the Type 3, from which the legendary Karmann-Ghia Coupé was developed, and the Type 4 (411), built from 1968 to 1974.

Eberhard Kittler and Joachim Kuch devote themselves to the last air-cooled Wolfsburg cars, which were never able to step out of the shadow of the Beetle.
Their magnificent chronicle presents numerous facts about the development history, illuminates technical backgrounds, quotes from board minutes and lets club specialists have their say - including unknown photos, contemporary advertising material and an extensive technical section.

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