We had a thread about this car not long ago. It looks like it was done a long time ago. A convertible Type 3 certainly isn't a bad idea, they look very nice when based on a notchback and finished off properly. This one is at least a very individual car.
laroche ·
VW themselves made a few factory type 3 convertable prototypes based on the notchback
laroche ·
factory prototype
laroche ·
When VW announced the Type 3 line up in 1961 at the Frankfurt IAA it included a rather nice four seater convertible built by Karmann. Essentially it is the same as the notch back with its roof cut off, because that is exactly what it is. Anyone that has tried to build a convertible out of a four seater saloon may well spot the immediate problem that this caused for the engineers at Karmann. When you remove the roof of a saloon you affect its torsional stiffness, not even the skills of Karmann could overcome this issue, at least not cost effectively, so the car never went into formal production.
Just eleven of these cars were produced, although VW printed up brochures for the car and a price of 8,200 Deuschmarks had been set. Volkswagen have one on display at their Wolfsberg museum
Phil74Camper ·
You beat me to it! It was Karmann that made a couple of prototypes, one of which was on display at the Type 3's launch at the Frankfurt motor show in 1961. The brochures were already printed, and the purchase price was set at DM 8200, compared with DM 6000 for the standard notch.
However pre-release testing showed that the body didn't have enough torsional stiffness, even with Karmann's custom-built stengthening panels and design expertise. VW cancelled the production plans. One can be seen in the Wolfsburg museum.
Moral - cutting off the roof of a Type 3 is a bad idea.
pete wood ·
the guy at the top has got round the torsional strength issue with the T-top option. I can see what he was trying to do, but boy, I don't think it worked.
waveman1500 ·
pete wood wrote:the guy at the top has got round the torsional strength issue with the T-top option. I can see what he was trying to do, but boy, I don't think it worked.
If he was trying to keep some strength in the roof panel he should have left the rear part connected to the middle by a T-piece. In all honesty it would probably get the same open roof area and much better looks and structural integrity by just putting in a big fabric sunroof in the middle. Just install the biggest Webasto roof that will fit and it would've been a much nicer car!
AzzA_teu ·
Those little notch convertibles look kinda cool, thanks for the pics and info.
That ebay monster is as ugly as sin though. I can't fathom why anybody would buy it.
laroche ·
seriously flawed attempt, he should have spent a little more time and effort on it. Two detachable targa tops would have been better and windows in rear quarters that could be wound up and down.
perhaps a travelling circus will buy it as transport for the clowns.