1969 Volkswagen 1600L 4 Door Type 3 From BRAZIL $$$ SOLD
FEATURED IN HOT VWs MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2022
This 1969 Volkswagen Type 3 1600L is a Brazilian-market four-door notchback sedan that was imported to the US in April 2021. It is finished in Blue over a Black interior and is powered by a rear mounted 1.6-liter flat-four with performance exhaust mated to a four-speed manual transaxle. Features include a lowered suspension, aftermarket 15” wheels, chrome side and wheel arch moldings, rear window blinds, and an aftermarket shifter. Also features correct stickers in rear side windows from BRAZIL after market parts and car clubs! WAY COOL!
The car was reportedly repainted under previous ownership in Brazil. Exterior details include chrome bumpers, side and wheel arch moldings, a polished exhaust outlet, and twin side mirrors. Scratches are noted on the passenger-side door glass and the bumpers are in need of re-chroming.
The car rides lower than stock on aftermarket 15” wheels mounted with 185/65 Roadking Argos Touring tires. A spare is housed in the trunk.
The cabin features front bucket seats and a rear bench that are trimmed in black vinyl upholstery. An aftermarket shifter has been installed and additional appointments include a wire basket with cupholders on the transmission tunnel, crank windows, rear window blinds, and three-point seatbelts for front occupants. The accelerator pedal has been replaced under current ownership.
A Lotse three-spoke steering wheel fronts a 160-km/h speedometer and a fuel level gauge. The five-digit odometer shows 74k kilometers (~46k miles), approximately 100 of which were added by the seller, though total mileage is unknown.
This VW is a blast to drive and attracts so much attention it is CRAZY! I believe this is the only example on the West Coast at this time.
VIN: B9011251
Clean California Title & Current Registration in My Name
Currently featured in HOT VWs MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2022 Edition!
Excerpt from HOT VWs Magazine, Photos & Article by Stephan Szantai
If truth be told, little is known about the extensive air-cooled Volkswagen production stemming from Brazil, outside that country. Established in 1953, VW do Brasil quickly experienced tremendous success, which allowed it to independently design a range of models. A handful have trickled outside the border, such as the small Squareback with a hint of Type 3s called Brasilia, together with the SP2, a 2-door sports coupe from the ’70s.
NEW FOR 1969
Among the less successful local Volkswagen products, the Type 3 1600 and better appointed 1600L 4-door sedan – as seen within these pages – comes to mind. VW do Brasil touted the vehicle as “the first 4-door sedan in the company's history”, when launched in 1969. As you might expect, the car shared many components with the Volkswagens we all know, including the engine, gearbox, suspension and brakes (discs in the front and drums in the back). Yet a few parts were unique to the model, such as the headlights, taillights, bumpers and, of course, plenty of body panels. Besides the 1600 and 1600L, Brazilian customers could also purchase the 1600TL (Fastback) and 1600 Variant (Squareback), with designs different from their German-built counterparts. Incidentally, the 1600 moniker should be attributed to the flat-four’s displacement.
Some buyers enjoyed the quality of the 1600 series, as they offered a comfy interior and better performance than the 1300cc Bug, as well as additional trunk space in the front since the gas tank resided in the rear. However, the car’s lines did not please everybody, hence it soon adopted the “Zé do Caixão” nickname, which can be approximately translated into “The Coffin”, partly due to its four door handles… like some coffins.
The model additionally faced strong competition in the local market, including Ford and Chevrolet. VW do Brasil tried to improve several design features, such as new bumpers and four headlights instead of two. Sales still remained sluggish, with only 24,475 units of the 4-door Volkswagen 1600 and 1600L being produced between January 1969 and February 1971.
Info from Brazil
Kim had little information about his 4-door Notchback. Social media unexpectedly came to the rescue. After we posted several pictures, Relberth Silva replied with these few words: “I can say that I built this car!” Relberth, who lives a little over 250 miles southwest of São Paulo, gladly helped us with our numerous questions, because – let’s be frank – very little is known in the U.S. about the Brazilian 1600 series, local Volkswagen accessories etc.
RARE IN BRAZIL
“I’m in love with VWs and I’ve had a number of them,” ponders Relberth. “I found the 1600L via a car sales website here in Brazil. It had already been painted blue by the previous owner, but there were a lot of parts missing!” He consequently disassembled the stock-looking sedan, redid the wiring, brakes and suspension, while also lowering the front – local friends and shops helped along the way. “The hardest aspect of the restoration was to find some of the rare parts, as so few cars were manufactured,” he adds. As a side note, Relberth replaced the factory dual headlights with the better looking four round lights offered a year later (1970).
He also installed a set of aftermarket Brazilian wheels called Raw Classics, which replicate the Pedrini models available as an option on some Porsche 914s. Their 4x130mm bolt pattern, identical to VWs, make them a perfect match – the 15x5.5 aluminum rims welcome 155/60 and 185/65 Roadking Argos Touring tires. A few locally made, contemporary accessories equip the vehicle, such as a trick Racer shifter and a Lotse three-spoke steering wheel. Other interesting features inside the cockpit include the stock dual-gauge dashboard (with a provision for a third instrument if the owner feels so inclined), in addition to new accessory rear blinds. Under the rear lid resides a stock and rebuilt 1600cc motor, which retains its distinctive Brazilian low-profile fan shroud and air filter.
Relberth sold the car in 2021 and it arrived in the United States in April that same year. It has since been living a pampered life over 6,000 miles away from its original home. But Kim fiddles with the idea of selling it – see ridleysrides.com. Whoever the next owner will be, he or she will be enjoying one of the most uncommon Type 3s in North America.
