With regards to water cooled Volkswagens, the K70 is where it all began. This is also the first front engined, front wheel drive Volkswagen. Designed by NSU, the K70 was intended to be a smaller sibling to the revolutionary R080 rotary engined sedan. After Volkswagen assumed control of NSU, the K70 filled a niche in Volkswagen’s lineup and was marketed as a successor to the Type 4. The K70 continued on until 1973 with the introduction of the Passat. In addition to a water cooled engine, some other interesting features were inboard front brakes, rack and pinion steering and MacPherson Strut front suspension.
Here’s an excerpt from the seller’s comprehensive ad:
There are close to 500 examples in the world and only 3 in the USA. This is an exellent example of a running orginal car and the best car I have ever found. It is the ONLY running K70 in the USA. It’s my great barn find, trailer queen. I purchased it from the original owner out of New York State several years ago so this makes me the second owner. It was brought over from Belgium where it was originally purchased and converted for US import. It has a MPH speedo!
I have pored over 15 grand into this car lovingly. I didn’t skimp on anything. I would consider this car “lightly restored”. My goal was to keep it as original as possible. It has about 90% original paint and 90% original or period correct pieces.
YOU GET:
The first water cooled VW.
1 Bavarian folk music tape
1 medium box or original used parts
1 spare windshield (just in case)
Owners manual
technical support from myself and or the K70 club after joining
This car represents a unique opportunity to own what could be considered the bridge between the air-coooled and water-cooled Volkswagen eras. Of, you could view this vehicle as a more reliable alternative to the NSU Ro80. In all of my travels to Germany, I have not come across a K70 in person. Even 40 years on, this car still looks rather contemporary. After years of seeing Beetles roam the German countryside, one could imagine how advanced this car must have seemed at the time.
Also, I’m not sure what everyone’s thoughts are on the car for sale itself, but the Bavarian folk music tape sold it for me.
-Paul