1982 | Volkswagen T3 Kastenwagen 2.0

• Road registered
• Porsche 911 SC 3.0 flat six, 204 hp
• Endlessly fun to drive

If you want a van that behaves like it has no business being this much fun, one that sneaks in with Volkswagen charm and leaves with Porsche attitude, then this T3 is the one. It is the kind of machine you buy with your heart first and your reason somewhere far behind, and that is exactly why you will never regret it. At first glance it is a humble Panel van, but turn the key and everything changes. What looks like a friendly Volkswagen is actually running a Porsche 911 SC 3.0 flat six. Not a modern swap, not a recent project, but a genuine early eighties build carried out by someone who simply wanted to create the van he dreamt of.

The story begins in 1982 when the first owner bought the T3 new. Instead of accepting it as delivered, he sourced a wrecked 911 SC with a strong engine, had the flat six overhauled and commissioned Wohlmuth GmbH in Austria to install the entire drivetrain. Wohlmuth did this to a professional standard and went as far as securing an official Austrian Einzelgenehmigung in 1984.

The exterior hints at the ambition. Fuchs wheels, wider arches, extra driving lamps and a Porsche inspired dashboard give it a purposeful stance without overdoing it. Inside you find three Recaro seats and that unmistakable early eighties atmosphere. The whole thing feels charming, slightly rebellious and surprisingly thoughtful. And once you start driving it, you understand exactly what the original owner was aiming for. Turn the key and the flat six comes to life in a way no diesel or boxer four ever could. People hear the sound and instinctively search for a 911 before realising the noise is coming from a T3. It pulls stronger than any Panel van has the right to, yet still keeps the honest character that makes a T3 such an icon. It is playful, lively and endlessly enjoyable, the kind of bus that turns even a short drive into something memorable. When the current owner bought it, the van showed just over 27.000km. He took the time to refresh it properly. The engine and gearbox were removed for inspection and cleaning, the fuel tank replaced, ignition renewed, braking system rebuilt and the chassis ice blasted. Nothing was rushed and everything was done with the intention of keeping the van as reliable and enjoyable as it deserves to be. Today it drives exactly as it should.

This is not a van pretending to be something it is not. It is an authentic eighties passion project built with care, imagination and a clear vision. It has character, history and a genuinely unique driving experience that no modern car can replicate. If you want something that stays with you, something that makes you smile every time the engine fires up, then you will understand why this T3 is so special.