Volkswagen 1600 Fastback - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive

Volkswagen 1600 Fastback - 360° Interactive

Volkswagen 1600 Fastback - Key Specifications

Volkswagen 1600 Fastback Specifications

Specification	Details
Type	Compact Fastback Sedan
Released At	1965
Built At	Wolfsburg, Germany
Engine	1.6L Flat-4, Air-Cooled
Position	Rear-Engine, Longitudinal
Aspiration	Natural Aspiration
Block Material	Aluminum Alloy
Valvetrain	OHV, 2 Valves per Cylinder
Fuel Feed	Dual Solex Carburetors / Bosch D-Jetronic (from 1968)
Displacement	1584 cc / 96.7 cu in
Power	54 hp / 40 kW (carbureted) – 65 hp / 48 kW (fuel injected)
Specific Output	34.1 – 41.0 hp per liter
Torque	118 Nm / 87 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Top Speed	135–145 km/h / 84–90 mph
0 – 60 mph	16–18 seconds
0 – 100 km/h	17–19 seconds
Body / Frame	Steel Unibody
Driven Wheels	RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive)
Wheel Type	Steel Wheels with Chrome Hubcaps
Front Tires	5.60-15
Rear Tires	5.60-15
Front Brakes	Disc Brakes
Rear Brakes	Drum Brakes
Front Wheels	15 x 4.5 in
Rear Wheels	15 x 4.5 in
Front Suspension	Torsion Bar with Upper and Lower Trailing Arms
Rear Suspension	Independent Swing Axle with Torsion Bars (IRS in later models)
Curb Weight	895 kg / 1973 lbs
Weight Distribution	Front 42% / Rear 58%
Wheelbase	2400 mm / 94.5 in
Length	4220 mm / 166.1 in
Width	1605 mm / 63.2 in
Height	1470 mm / 57.9 in
Transmission	4-Speed Manual / 3-Speed Automatic (Optional)
Fuel Economy (Combined)	8.5 L/100 km / 27.7 mpg (US)
Fuel Capacity	40 liters / 10.6 gallons

Some Interesting Volkswagen 1600 Fastback Facts

Volkswagen 1600 Fastback Price Specifications

Part of the VW Type 3 Family The Volkswagen 1600 Fastback was introduced in 1965 as part of the Type 3 series, alongside the Notchback and Squareback, offering a more modern and spacious alternative to the Beetle.

Featured a Rear-Mounted, Air-Cooled Engine Like the Beetle, the 1600 Fastback used a rear-mounted, air-cooled flat-four engine, giving it simplicity, reliability, and a distinctive sound.

Offered Fuel Injection in the Late '60s The 1600 Fastback became one of the first mass-produced cars to offer fuel injection, using Bosch’s D-Jetronic system starting in 1968, improving efficiency and drivability.

Dual Trunk Design Thanks to its rear engine and sloping fastback design, the 1600 featured a front trunk under the hood and additional storage space above the rear engine compartment — unusual and practical.

Independent Suspension All Around The car used independent rear suspension and torsion bars in the front, offering better ride comfort and handling than many competitors of its time.

Designed to Be More Modern Than the Beetle Volkswagen intended the Fastback to be a step up from the Beetle — it had a more streamlined body, more interior space, and improved ride quality, targeting buyers looking for refinement.

Had a Unique “Frunk” Layout The front trunk (frunk) cleverly housed the spare tire vertically, next to the gas tank, to maximize usable luggage space — a typical VW engineering quirk.

Available with an Automatic Transmission Unusual for small cars of the era, the 1600 Fastback could be ordered with a 3-speed automatic transmission, making it more accessible to a wider range of drivers.

Never Sold as Widely in the U.S. as the Beetle While available in North America, the Fastback was never as popular as the Beetle, partly due to its higher price and unfamiliar styling — but it gained a cult following over time.

Now a Rare and Collectible Classic Surviving examples of the 1600 Fastback are becoming increasingly rare, and clean, rust-free models are highly sought-after by vintage VW collectors and air-cooled enthusiasts.

Volkswagen 1600 Fastback Price

Volkswagen 1600 Fastback Specifications and Price

In the EU, the Volkswagen 1600 Fastback (Type 3, produced 1965–1973) is a sought-after classic, and prices vary based on condition, originality, and market trends. Here’s a general price range (2024):

Average EU Prices:

Project car (needs restoration): €5,000 – €15,000(Rusty, non-running, or missing parts.)

Good condition (drivable, minor flaws): €15,000 – €25,000(Solid body, running engine, but may need cosmetic work.)

Excellent/restored (concours-ready): €25,000 – €40,000+(Fully restored, matching numbers, rare colors/options.)

Key Price Factors:

Originality: Numbers-matching engines and factory specs command premiums.

Rust: Floor pans, wheel arches, and spare tire wells are trouble spots.

Model year: Early models (pre-1970) are often more desirable.

Country: Prices are higher in markets like Germany or the Netherlands vs. Southern/Eastern EU.

Where to Buy?

Classic car platforms: Mobile.de, Classic Trader, Marktplaats (NL).

VW specialist dealers or auctions (e.g., Catawiki).

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