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Super, not Sport - VW 1500 S in (historical) test

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Created on January 20, 1964

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Automobil-Illustrierte

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VW 1500 S (1964) - Simple design without frippery

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VW 1500 S (1963) - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1963 - the 1500 S sedan raised to the podium

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VW 1500 S (1964) - the car seems to be a real heartthrob

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VW 1500 S Variant (1964) - family car

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VW 1500 S (1964) - with rear display windows and modified tail lights for the 1500 S - Geneva Motor Show 1964

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VW 1500 S (1965) - easy entry

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VW 1500 S (1965) - steering wheel with only two main buttons instead of a ring and, of course, upright pedals

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VW 1500 S (1965) - sportier than the rest of the car: the round instruments

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VW 1500 S (1965) - Dashboard with low but wide glove box

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VW 1500 S (1965) - Armrest with recessed grip

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VW 1500 S (1965) - the locking mechanism for the folding seat backrest

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VW 1500 S (1965) - enough legroom even in the rear

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VW 1500 S (1965) - easily usable but low trunk at the front

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VW 1500 S (1964) - with higher compression ratio (8.5 to 1 instead of 7.8 to 1) 9 hp higher final output of 54 DIN hp at 4200 rpm - Geneva Motor Show 1964

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VW 1500 S (1964) - the 54 hp engine with two carburetors

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VW 1500 (1962) - cutaway model shows the car's innards

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VW 1500 (1961) - Front axle

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VW 1500 (1961) - the chassis of the new Volkswagen

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Summary

What does the "S" actually stand for? The Americans make it easier for themselves and use two of them: "SS" for "Super Sport". However, anyone expecting "Sport" from the 1500 S was bitterly disappointed. Instead, it was "Super", because it was superior to the normal 1500 in every respect, as this historical test report shows.

This article contains the following chapters

High revving and noisy
Short wheelbase, lots of comfort
Putting the exuberance into perspective
Lively in the city
High quality and comfortable
Inexpensive companion
Technical data & measured values

Estimated reading time: 18min

Preview (beginning of the article)

"There are shapes that cannot be improved. For example, a hen's egg. Or an egg with a VW painted on it. Or the shape of the VW Beetle itself". So writes the enterprising American advertising agency; the Wolfsburgers, however, do not seem to be so convinced. When the VW 1500 was presented after many years of rumors and speculation, it had a new body. The pontoon shape clearly showed the desire not to be pushed into any fashion direction and thus not to become outdated so quickly. The designers were not the boldest when they drew the 1500. And so this tendency towards conservatism, once again demonstrated in Wolfsburg, did not make the 1500 a feast for the eyes. The observer's gaze is not captivated by any detail; it glides over the vehicle and just as quickly off. You don't turn around after a Volkswagen unless a breathtaking beauty is sitting in it. However, the Wolfsburg team has succeeded in one thing: when other modern and captivating shapes have long since been disowned by their fathers - and that doesn't take long at all - the 1500 can still be produced with the same shape, as it is not subject to any fashion trends. Not beautiful - but timeless.

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