The restoration of a prototype of the Type 3 Convertible
No one would have thought it possible: The inventory after the takeover of the Karmann vehicle collection in Osnabrück revealed a true treasure of Volkswagen automobile history – one of the two surviving prototypes of the Volkswagen Type 3 Convertible from 1961. There was no question about it for Volkswagen Classic, this rarity must be preserved. No sooner said than done – full of enthusiasm, Klaus-Dieter Ulrich, coordinator of Volkswagen Automobile Collection Osnabrück, and a group of experienced vehicle restorers set about returning the rare convertible to its former glory.
The technical research manager's favourite car Back then, around a dozen prototype bodies were rolled out of works of Karmann, the convertible specialists from Osnabrück. But only two of them survived the next forty years. Checking the chassis number revealed that this prototype was a very special example of its kind – with astoundingly mature qualities for everyday driving: It turned out to be the company car driven by Johannes Beeskow, at the time manager of technical research department at Karmann, and bore the number plate OS-KA 77. After completion of the evaluation phase, Beeskow drove the car in everyday traffic in Osnabrück. After deregistration in 1969, the prototype convertible found its way into the Karmann collection.
A mid-range convertible: a concept that was years ahead of its time Room for four to five passengers, a timelessly elegant, stretched silhouette and a fully retractable soft-top with an unusually large rear window: In 1961, the open-topped version of the Volkswagen 1500 (Type 35) drew the crowds at the 40th IAA. Not only because Volkswagen had managed to keep the prototype secret until its unveiling at the show, but also, and above all, because the concept was so appealing: The spacious Type 3 Convertible was predestined to become much more than just a more comfortable car for family holidays. Above all, the e