1973 Volkswagen Brasilia (3-door) Dimensions, Size & Specs

Yes, the Volkswagen Brasilia (3-door) comfortably fits into a standard residential garage. With a length of 4013 mm (157.9 inches), width of 1606 mm (63.2 inches), and height of 1438 mm (56.6 inches), it is smaller than typical modern vehicles and aligns well with most garage door openings, which usually range from about 2400 mm to 2700 mm (94.5 to 106.3 inches) in width and roughly 2100 mm (82.7 inches) in height. Its compact size makes it easy to park and store, even in tighter residential garage spaces.

The Volkswagen Brasilia (3-door) has a width of 1606 mm (63.2 inches), which was fairly typical for hatchbacks produced in the 1970s and early 1980s. This width provided a good balance between interior shoulder room and ease of handling on narrower roads common in many countries at the time. Compared to some competitors, the Brasilia was slightly narrower but this contributed to its nimble urban driving capabilities. While modern hatchbacks tend to be wider for increased interior space, the Brasilia's dimensions reflect the design priorities of its era.

The vehicle stands 1438 mm (56.6 inches) tall and has a ground clearance of 149 mm (5.9 inches). This moderate height ensures a low center of gravity for stable handling, while the 149 mm ground clearance is sufficient to handle occasional rough or uneven urban surfaces and mild country roads typical in Brazil during its production years. However, the clearance is low enough that it’s not ideal for heavy off-roading or very rough terrain, but for daily urban and light rural use, it offers a good compromise between ride comfort and capability.

The Volkswagen Brasilia (3-door) has a curb weight of 890 kg (1962 lbs) and a maximum weight capacity of 1310 kg (2888 lbs). The relatively low curb weight helps with efficient fuel consumption and better acceleration with smaller engine options typical of that era. At the same time, the maximum weight figure indicates its ability to carry passengers and cargo up to about 420 kg (926 lbs) beyond its own weight, making it practical for everyday transport needs. Its lightweight design contributes to nimble handling and overall driving ease.

The Volkswagen Brasilia offers a luggage capacity of 81 liters (2.86 cubic feet) with the rear seats in place. When the rear seats are folded down, this capacity significantly increases to 746 liters (26.35 cubic feet). This flexibility allows for greater cargo space to accommodate larger or more items, which is especially useful for families or users needing extra space for trips or shopping. Its hatchback design facilitates easy loading and unloading, making it a practical choice for urban users who value versatility.

The Volkswagen Brasilia (3-door) was developed to occupy a niche between the smaller Beetle and larger vehicles in Volkswagen's lineup during its production period. Compared to the predecessor Beetle, the Brasilia is longer and wider, with a length of 4013 mm (157.9 inches) and a width of 1606 mm (63.2 inches), offering more interior space and luggage capacity. This marked an evolution toward more modern hatchback styling and usability. While retaining compactness suitable for city driving, the Brasilia improved passenger comfort and utility over its simpler predecessor, reflecting market trends and consumer demands of the 1970s.

In the early 1970s, hatchbacks were becoming more popular worldwide as practical small-family cars. The Volkswagen Brasilia’s dimensions — 4013 mm (157.9 inches) long and 1606 mm (63.2 inches) wide — placed it competitively amongst similar compact cars like the Fiat 147 and Ford Escort hatchbacks. Its size made it slightly larger and more spacious than some subcompact hatchbacks but still compact enough for urban environments. Globally, while hatchbacks vary in size, the Brasilia’s dimensions were well suited for Brazil’s road and economic conditions at the time, emphasizing a practical mix of affordability, size, and functionality.

The Volkswagen Brasilia (3-door) is equipped with 14-inch rims, sized at 5J x 14. This wheel size was standard for compact cars of its era and provided a good balance between ride comfort and road handling. Larger rims could have negatively impacted ride quality on rough roads, while smaller rims may have compromised handling precision. The 14-inch rims allowed for tire sizes that absorb road imperfections well, enhancing passenger comfort, yet maintaining enough road contact and stability for safe, confident driving in urban and suburban settings.

The Volkswagen Brasilia (3-door) holds historical significance, especially in Brazil and Latin America, where it was a popular and practical car. While its compact size and lightweight design could be considered modest by today's standards, it remains a sought-after vehicle among classic car enthusiasts for its nostalgic value, simplicity, and robustness. Its manageable size makes restoration and maintenance relatively easier, and it provides a glimpse into 1970s automotive design and urban mobility solutions. Though outdated in modern safety and technology, it continues to attract collectors interested in vintage Volkswagen models.