EU Market Find: VW T3 Multivan “Limited Last Edition” Oettinger WBX6

What: 1992 Volkswagen T3 Multivan “Limited Last Edition” WBX6 by Oettinger
Color: Tornado Red (tornadorot; non-metallic; G2; Volkswagen)
Chassis #: N/A
Mileage: 147,300 km, 91,527 miles
Price: €69,990
CarFax: N/A
Window Sticker: N/A
Location: CC Automobile GmbH, Velen, Germany
Auction Link: Link

Why We Love It:

Known as the “Vanagon” in the United States, the Volkswagen T3 may be the 964 or 993 of the VW van lineage. While note quite as elegant as earlier T1 and T2 versions (a.k.a. Microbus), the more modern boxy shape retains the same rear-engine configuration that put Volkswagen (and Porsche) on the map. Also, its production run from 1979 to 1992 (practically the same as the Mk1 Golf/Rabbit Cabriolet) makes it a darling of the budding “rad era” car collector segment, while it was also a staple in the early #vanlife movement. All this combines to make for a robust collector market for T3s, meaning rare and special examples have realized appreciable gains. Throw in a special edition breathed on by a relevant remaster like a period German tuning house and you definitely have our attention.

As the sun was setting on the T3 era, Volkswagen moved to celebrate its retirement with a “Limited Last Edition” for the home market. 2,500 examples were built. Production was done by Steyr Puch under contract at their factory in Graz, Austria. The T3 you see here is 689 of 2,500.

The Limited Last Edition came standard in either Tornado Red and Orly Blue. One interior trim was offered, Velour Platinum Blizzard Diagonal fabric – a greyish design with diagonal greenish-blue stripes. Other equipment included there-point automatic seat belts for the rear seats, vented triangle windows at the front seat positions, headlight range adjustment and curtains. The only engine was a 1.6-liter turbo diesel with 68 horsepower or 2.0-liter fuel-injected petrol water-cooled boxer engine a.k.a. “wasserboxer” with 91 horsepower. Though incredibly practical as the T3 always is, neither engine made it particularly thrilling to drive.

That’s where Oettinger comes into play. Following World War II, Frankfurt-based Gerhard Oettinger, with a mechanical engineering degree he had originally used as a test engineer on Daimler Benz aircraft at the end of the war, decided to put his degree to use in other ways and created a business tuning Volkswagen Beetles. He’d eventually shift his focus to the VW Golf GTI, really building a name for himself by introducing 16-valve head for the Volkswagen engine years before the factory did.

When it came to the T3, Oettinger’s firm saw clear potential and so did Volkswagen. As the story goes, Volkswagen tapped Oettinger to produce a 6-cylinder version of the Wasserboxer. Alas, VW pulled out of the project before it was completed, but Oettinger soldiered on, calling it the “WBX6” and producing 3.5 (165 hp) and 3.7-liter (180 hp) versions. The net effect is described more as the “VW GTI” of vans rather than than the “Porsche 911” of vans, however there were vans of the period that used the Porsche air-cooled flat six that probably get that title.

Back to Oettinger, conversions based around the WBX6 were often paired sports suspension, structural upgrades, interiors and more. That’s about where this T3 Multivan slides into the picture, number 689 of 2,500. It was first delivered in Germany and finished in Tornado Red new from the factory. Receiving the Oettinger WBX6 conversion, it also got seats re-trimmed in two-tone grey and red leather.

Changes include a front spoiler, H&R 30 mm lowering springs wit Koni shock absorbers, steel braided brake lines, short-throw shifter conversion with extended 5th gear, Weinkrath-V4A stainless exhaust, front spoiler, Oettinger body enhancements and Projektzwo rear spoiler.

The wheels, 8x17s from OZ don’t look entirely period, making us wonder if they’ve changed over time. Same goes for the Projektzwo rear spoiler made by a firm that would have been a competitor to Oettinger.

This T3 has had five owners and is accident free.