Volkswagen 1500 N Variant
(1963 - 1965)
Car articles about Volkswagen 1500 N Variant by year
In 1963, Volkswagen felt compelled to improve its range of mid-range cars. Two years earlier, the 1500 had been added to the range, a simple car that was intended to be a step above the Beetle. However, the appeal and price were not quite congruent and the competition was not sleeping either, so the 1500 was spiced up. It was given an "S", chrome, a second downdraft carburetor and 9 extra horsepower, but was still only able to shed the image of the somewhat staid everyday car to a limited extent. Perhaps it was just a little too well thought out to arouse real emotions among buyers... The original test report on the VW 1500 S from back then is accompanied by historical images.
hobby tester Eugen K. Schwarz got to the bottom of the 'S' on the rear of the big VW in 1963 and drove the normal VW 1500 and its more sophisticated brother, the VW 1500 S, on the same route and under the same conditions. In this report, he describes the results he came to. He also lets a few everyday drivers get behind the wheel and have their say. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report and shows the mid-range Volkswagen in historical pictures.
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.
Compared to the VW Beetle (Type 1), the VW Type 3 is considered a failure, although almost 2.6 million units sold do not indicate this. However, too many compromises and stronger competition made life difficult for it as a mid-range car, even though many things were improved in 13 years of production. Today, a VW 1500 S in its original paint finish and first ownership is rarer than many a Ferrari sports car. This report portrays a saloon from 1965 and tells the story of the Type 3 from start to finish.
Current market prices for Volkswagen 1500 N Variant
Station Wagon, 45 PS, 1493 cm3
Station Wagon, 45 PS, 1493 cm3
Station Wagon, 54 PS, 1493 cm3
Station Wagon, 45 PS, 1493 cm3
Station Wagon, 54 PS, 1584 cm3
Coupe, 45 PS, 1493 cm3
Coupe, 54 PS, 1493 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 45 PS, 1493 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 45 PS, 1493 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 54 PS, 1493 cm3
2-Door Sedan, 45 PS, 1493 cm3
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Auctioned vehicles of Volkswagen 1500 N Variant
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VW 1500 Variant 1965 Sold Bilweb Auctions Holmgren's Volkswagen Museum (September 22, 2018) |
1500 Variant | 1965 | Sold | Bilweb Auctions Holmgren's Volkswagen Museum (September 22, 2018) | |
| Volkswagen 1500 S 1965 Sold Dorotheum Fahrzeug Auktionen Classic Expo Salzburg Versteigerung (October 15, 2022) |
1500 S | 1965 | Sold | Dorotheum Fahrzeug Auktionen Classic Expo Salzburg Versteigerung (October 15, 2022) | |
| VW 1500 S Rallye 1965 Sold Bilweb Auctions Holmgren's Volkswagen Museum (September 22, 2018) |
1500 S Rallye | 1965 | Sold | Bilweb Auctions Holmgren's Volkswagen Museum (September 22, 2018) | |
| VW 1500 S (California Look) 1965 Sold Bilweb Auctions Holmgren's Volkswagen Museum (September 22, 2018) |
1500 S (California Look) | 1965 | Sold | Bilweb Auctions Holmgren's Volkswagen Museum (September 22, 2018) |
Query all auctioned vehicles of Volkswagen 1500 N Variant
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