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Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:14 am

After months of deliberation (procrastination?) - here it is folks, a non definitive but good effort at capturing the Type 3 panel van specific advertising, documention, features, production details and known cars.

First off, let's start with some advertising / factory images.

This is the oldest known image we have- looks to be based on a VW-1500 squareback due to the bumper over riders, high side markers, thick rear window trim and slotted wheels.

It might even have slash sill trim but it's hard to see.

This is also another VW-1500 based car with the above mentioned features again.

This image shows a 1500 'N' version due to the lack of side markers, no over riders, but slotted wheels so a late 63 or perhaps early 64.

Note it has a passengers side door lock- this seems to be consistent with European production of these cars.

Also note passenger side mirror- all panel vans have passenger side mirrors as far as we can tell.

This shot shows the difference between an M264 option (top of image) and the M265 option (bottom of image).

The M264 option enabled the buyer to have a back seat as per usual fitment to the T36. Nothing unusual there.

The M265 option, however, included a quite sturdy bulk head comprised of pressed steel and this enabled the fitment of additional storage areas under where the back seat would reside.

More on this later when we examine the Australian CKD version of the panel van (option V30) which is based on the European M265 option- but with variation's.

This brochure shows a 64/65 model with lack of the over riders, no side markers at all and solid wheels.

Note that the window pressings are the thicker style- more on this as we go people!

Here we have about a 1966 vintage panel van- note the 1600 badging, late door handle, thin sill trim and 4 stud wheels.

Here we have another 66 or so vintage panel van. 4 stud wheels again.

This factory shot shows about a 1968 version due to the fuel flap etc.

Here we have an official VW Australia press shot showing the panel van being used.

Note that all Australian built panel van's differ from their European cousins due to being based on true 1500 'N' bodies- no passengers side door lock, only 1 x inside sun visor, clock blank panel, single speed wipers and a couple of other things we forget!

Another official VW Australia photo.

Here we see the rear cargo area which is unique to the Australian built cars.

Original clock blank as fitted to Aaron's car.

You can't tell but this is a single speed wiper switch and standard headlight switch- silver beige knobs.

Here's the dash shot of the panel van- note accessory red needle trip speedo (NOS), red needle fuel gauge (NOS), EMPI GT steering wheel (the real deal) and original NOS condition clock blank. Nice hey?

(bear in mind these metal pieces are chromed and not original!)

It comprises of a marine ply timber floor with zinc plated metal strips fixed via philips head screws.

The hinges are also zinc plated.

When the cargo area piece is lifted, there is a small cloth loop affixed under the timber which hook's into an aluminium hook which is identical to a Type 1 back seat hook (where the Type 1 back seat rubber hooks into).

99% of these cloth straps are broken or non existent (woven cotton construction).

Under this cargo lid is another 2 x marine ply boards which sit above the battery and regulator area.

All the marine ply timber in these cars comes from the factory in an unfinished / unstained state however as you will see, it does look good stained, waxed or french polished!

This image show the head liner which does not extend down the pillars anywhere.

Also the hinge screws for the pop out windows are present just to take up the holes.

You can also see at the top of the shot, the aluminium hook for securing the cargo floor when in the raised position.

Here you can see the air vents in the rear panels from the outside.

Nothing fancy, but they allow a bit of air flow.

Here we see the air vent pocket from the inside of the car.

These are commonly rusted out.

Also due to the design, they can retain a litttle bit of water depending on who welded them in that day at the production line.

This is the rear lid interior piece.

It is a simple affair, comprising of masonite material with a pressed 'pebble' pattern.

Secured to the lid with metal clips as used on split screen Type 2 and originaly in silver beige colour.

Here is the ID tag- note that the tag has an over stamped digit of '0' over the '5'.

I have checked a few panel van's over the years and some of them feature this anomaly.

So effectively this chassis number is 365(0) 120 724. Go figure.

This is the body tag welded to the area immediately behind the spare wheel- my number is PV 0133. Oddly, my '1' looks to be an 'I' stamp so I imagine VW lost the number '1' stamp for my car.

All Australian assembled panel van's have a body tag behind the spare wheel and it always starts with PV and then the number.

Thus far I have identified the following Australian CKD cars:

Body # PV 075 Chassis # 365 121 504 Engine # 0 818 581
Body # PV 133 Chassis # 365 120 724 Engine # 0 850 339
Body # PV 147 Chassis # 365 120 722 Engine # 0 850 256
Body # PV 172 Chassis # 365 120 713
Body # PV 189
Body # PV 210 Chassis # 365 121 497 Engine # 0 856 977
Body # PV 433 Chassis # 366 030 491
Body # PV 437 Chassis # 366 030 703 Engine # 0 973 606

Based on the evidence thus far, it would appear that VW Australia made 2 x runs of the panel van's. One was in about February 1965 which covers off most of the cars listed above and then another batch during late 1965.

I have been told that the total number of panel van's assembled by VW in Australia was 455 for the 1965 model year (365 chassis numbers) and 68 for the 1966 model year (366 chassis numbers). This is only what I am told though!

These are excerpt's from the Australian Type 3 1500 parts manual, detailing the V30 parts (M265) as used in the production of the panel van's.

Here are some more shots of cars from around the world.

This is a late model panel van from Israel. I can't believe the owner has bent an early model front lid to fit the late body but...

This is another late model panel van from Israel- yes the front panels have been removed from the car and windows installed- non original.

This is a slightly modified Dutch car. Hopefuly the owner will come forward.

Japanese panel van. I think this car came from Europe.

Another car owned by TOA in Japan. This car came from Australia and has had the front panels replaced with glass.

Another panel van sitting in storage in New South Wales, Australia: chassis, engine & body number number unknown.

Another Australian panel van photographed years ago. I don't know where it is now.

This panel van was on the scene in New South Wales (Australia) for a short while. It currently has a blown up engine but is still in this great original condition. Outside paint is new but the interior paint is original. A neat car.

Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:26 am

just wow...

thanks, Aaron, for all the info on these rare beasts....

should this be a sticky?

Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:55 am

Good stuff!

Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:19 am

I had no idea! Great info here!!! :shock:

Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:30 am

Great info Aaron, very well written

I made this a sticky, hopefully Everett agrees it should be up top

Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:42 am

Aaron Britcher wrote:

Is that a "1500 Club" sticker I see on the rear window? :oops:

:wink:
Giz

Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:52 am

=D>

Well done sir. Thank you for taking the time.

Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:44 am

Great work Aaron, thanks. Nice to have all this information in one place.

Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:01 am

Now I want a '62-'63 Panel... and I need another car like I need a hole in my head. Thanks alot Aaron... great work BTW! =D>

Giz

Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:48 am

Very Very cool thanks for all the info and a great job on the research this is the kinda info that should be in a sticky \:D/ \:D/ \:D/

So Aaron should my car have a bulk head

Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:48 pm

Thank's for the positive comments chaps.

There is a lot more information coming too (photo's that have not been scanned, brochures still not scanned...)

Yes that is a 1500 club sticker in the back window of my 2276cc panel van. Naughty me but I am sure the body of the car complies with the rules at least - I very consciously built the car with as few alterations to the body as is possible and I think I altered the body only by drilling about 5 or 6 holes into it. But lets not discuss the running gear in relation to originality - I wanted the car to fly!

65Nsqback- yes I think your car should have the bulk head if it has one already. Have you asked for the birth certificate for your car? I am assuming it will have either M264 or M265 as an option on that document. That should tell you the truth (although VW do get the documentation wrong some times).

Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:34 pm

Ya I have the birth certificate but I have M 065 :?: , M 263, M 296 :?:

Destination Bremen, Germany

I'm guessing that they got it wrong the M,263 I think should be M,264 :roll:

I can't even find the M,065 or M,296

But I do think it should have the M,263 Heavy duty equalizer spring for increased payload

Any info on this would be great

Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:59 pm

Very cool Aaron, great to see all this rare info !

Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:30 pm

Great writeup! I can't wait to see more.

Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:44 pm

I spy an early wraparound turn signal on a 68, that's unusual right?

Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:17 pm

car's intended for certain countries are weird like that...right?

Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:56 am

djsun wrote:

I spy an early wraparound turn signal on a 68, that's unusual right? Euro models kept the wrap around when the US models went back to the bullet.

Sat Dec 05, 2009 7:38 pm

As well as that side marker :wink:

Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:14 pm

panel vans are so bitchin'. i wish they weren't as rare as they are! awesome sticky by the way!

this thread = 8)

Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:44 pm

notchback wrote: djsun wrote:

I spy an early wraparound turn signal on a 68, that's unusual right? Euro models kept the wrap around when the US models went back to the bullet.

Is that guy wearing sandals??