A superb and rare photo of the 1961 Volkswagen  1500 Notchback Cabriolet.

The “Variant” model designation that Volkswagen used, was meant for all VW station wagon models including the 1500 as photographed. The Volkswagen Type 3, also called the Volkswagen 1500 and later the Volkswagen 1600, was a range of small cars from German manufacturer Volkswagen (VW) introduced at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show, Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA). The range launched in August 1961 with two models: the Notchback featuring ponton, three-box styling in a notchback saloon body, and the Karmann Ghia 1500 (also known as the Type 34 Karmann Ghia) with a coupé body. The first Variant (known as the Squareback in the USA) with an estate body followed in 1962. The Fastback, or TL version, a fastback coupé, arrived in August 1965. A convertible was announced with the original models, but did not enter production. The Type 3 was introduced to diversify Volkswagen's product range beyond the existing Type 1 (Beetle), the Karmann Ghia, and the Type 2 (Bus). The Type 3 was designed as a more sophisticated car while retaining much of the engineering from the Type 1. Volkswagen of America began importing the Type 3 beginning with the 1966 model year, as the Squareback and Fastback. At the end of 1967, the Type 3 became the first German automobile in series production with electronic fuel injection (Bosch D-Jetronic)as standard equipment. The most significant face-lift, visually, took place in 1970 when the car underwent a 115 mm (4.5 in) nose-lengthening which added 1.5 cubic feet (42 L) to the luggage capacity. Production ended in 1973 at the Wolfsburg plant, with production moving to VW's new Emden plant, which was later retooled in 1973 to build the Passat (B1, also known as Dasher). The Wolfsburg plant was retooled to build the Golf. The Type 3 was initially equipped with a 1.5 L (1493 cc) engine based on the air-cooled flat-4 found in the Type 1. While the long block remained the same as the Type 1, the engine cooling was redesigned specifically to reduce the height of the engine profile — earning the nicknames of "Pancake" or "Suitcase" engine and enabling increased cargo volume. This engine's displacement would later increase to 1.6 L (1584 cc). Originally, a single side draft carburetor was used in the Volkswagen 1500 model. In August 1963, single- or dual-carbureted versions were introduced, respectively the Volkswagen 1500N, rated at 45 PS (33 kW; 44 hp) and 1500S, with 54 PS (40 kW; 53 hp). The extra power achieved by the 'S' model was provided by high compression pistons and the dual carburetors. The Type 3 engine got a larger displacement (1.6 L) for 1966, and in 1968, it was the world's first volume produced car to feature electronic fuel injection pioneered by Bosch. The Bosch D-Jetronic system was offered on the Volkswagen 1600TL/E version (E meaning Einspritzung or "injection" in German). A similar Bosch injection system was also used in the later Type 4 VW 411 and available for the Volvo  1800. Also introduced for 1968 was a fully automatic transmission. One notable advance from the Type 1 to the Type 3 was the front suspension — although similar to the Type 1, it was the first Volkswagen system to incorporate transverse torsion bars, as opposed to the Type 1's torsion leaves. The Type 3's torsion bars are cross-mounted in the lower tube, so that each individual torsion bar spans the full width of the car, the upper tube containing an anti-roll bar which connects both upper trailing links to each other. The Type 3 offered a larger amount of storage space than the Type 1 Beetle, with both front and rear storage, as its engine was located under a panel in the rear trunk space in all three variations (Notchback, Squareback and Fastback). The Type 3 also featured wall-to-wall carpeting, and was available with air conditioning in the US. Launched as the VW 1500 Karmann Ghia Coupé but informally known as "Der Große Karmann" (the big Karmann) in Germany, the Type 34 Karmann Ghia was a larger, restyled development of the original Type 14 Karmann Ghia, and was based on the Type 3 platform. The three-box Type 3 was launched in Brazil in 1968 with unique styling (similar to the Brasilia) and four doors. It was met with little success, being nicknamed Zé do Caixão (after Coffin Joe, a popular Brazilian movie character) for its boxy shape. The fastback version, the Volkswagen TL, fared somewhat better, being produced from 1970-1976, originally as a 2-door and later as a 4-door version. As in Germany, the original Karmann Ghia was replaced by a Type 3-based model called Karmann Ghia TC (Touring Coupé), but with a distinct look from the German Karmann Ghia Type 34. Neither enjoyed as much success as its estate-bodied sibling, the Variant. The 3-door Variant was produced from 1969-1977 and then followed by an updated successor with squarer body, the Variant II which was produced from 1977-1980.

This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Vollkswagen ‘s automotive history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 x 30 cm).  It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.