Hi guys & girls. I have just finished a resto on a 72 super for my daughter and now have the bug (pardon the pun). I have just seen an add in the local rag for a fastback and I was hoping some fastback owners could answer a few questions for someone unfamiliar with them.
is there preferences regarding year of manufacture or years to avoid?
Any places I should look out for regarding rust etc?
variations regarding models etc?
any inherent problems I should lookout for?
The add doesn't state any of the above so the more I can find out before ringing would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers AL
CHADMYSTER ·
anyone??
jo_tas ·
Great car!
Bigger and more comfortable than a bug..
They had a major facelift in 1970.. some people hate the newer shape.. others like it.. i'm the latter!
As for rust.. well, all the same places as in a beetle.. floorpan, heater channels, battery tray etc should all be checked.
And inherent problems? On a VW? Never!!
Others may be able to elaborate..
CHADMYSTER ·
Thanks Josie, its a start.Do they have the same motor as the beetle or the same as the kombi or am i barking up the wrong tree?
65busser ·
Here ya go. Some differences for US market, but you'll learn heaps.
Brad
A big inherent problem is they arent worth much- so keep this in mind. I had one for sale here a while back which certainly wasnt bad and almost had to give it away.
But it comes down to what YOU like and are comfortable to spend.
jo_tas ·
BrisDubba wrote:A big inherent problem is they arent worth much
Which works well when you're buying one! :P
vwjon ·
check under the front guards and under the bonnet in the corners near the hinges for the dreaded tin worm. also the front heater channels near the bottom door hinge, also the bottom corners of the windscreen frame, they are all dodgy areas just poke em with a small scrwe driver. motors are good get the carbys checked for balance and any wear in the linkages. hope this helps
squizy ·
Also keep in mind that there are 2 engine variants.....injected and twin carb. I had a twin carb 1600 notch and it went great. The main thing with Type 3's is that the guard are twin skinned. Once you take off the front and rear guards you will be exposed to the inner skins, which can trap rust and catch people by surprise. The bext thing about all Type 3 however, is that they are easy to slam!!
Midlife crisis ·
In the fastie check the rear wiidowr pilla they rust there, also check the front boot lift up the lining on the inner guard on both sides they can rust there as well.
They are a great car to drive even better when you put a 2L type 4 motor in them :P
Marc
PurpleT3 ·
There is no particular year with any more problems than any other. The early models are generally considered to have a more attractive body shape, and as they are rarer are more collectable. Alot of people would consider the 69 model the pick of the bunch. They had the early body shape, while also getting the disc front brakes and IRS of the later models. It's really up to you which body shape you prefer.
They have essentially the same motor as a beetle or early kombi, the only real difference is in the tinware and the location of the fan. There are a few other small differences.
CHADMYSTER ·
65busser wrote:Here ya go. Some differences for US market, but you'll learn heaps.
Brad
Thanks Brad, lots of information. Printed out for keepsake.
AL
CHADMYSTER ·
are the parts as easy as the beetles to come by?
baybuscamperkid ·
i had to do a bit of work on mine to get it upto condition, and didnt have any trouble at all with parts. there isnt much in the way of bodywork available new (unlike beetles) but theres always a couple being wrecked somewhere, floorpans cant be gottten new either, but the same deal applies - cut from a wreck.mechanically they seem solid, electrical bits are pretty well interchangeable with the beetles form what i can tell.
CHADMYSTER ·
Thanks for info. The reason i asked is that with the daughters bug I was able to source most parts new through either ClassicVW or Mick Motors at reasonable prices. the rest I got through the wonderful people on AVD.
AL
REDKG ·
as posted earlier, 69 is the pick.the front guards normally rust in the top and bottom rear corners.later models rusted in the c pillars .
Schmoburger ·
CHADMYSTER wrote:Thanks Josie, its a start.Do they have the same motor as the beetle or the same as the kombi or am i barking up the wrong tree?
It's kind of like a cross between the two... it is to all effects a type 1 (beetle) motor and like a type 1 uses a Mg case, however as somebody or other mentioned, it is twincarb or injected, rather than single carb like a beetle, and the cooling system is entirely different... looseley resembling that of a Type 4 engined Kombi (fan bolts onto crankshaft on a type 3 IIRC?)
Oil filler is in a different position also, tinware i believe is different, there are mounting points for the load bearing crossmember on a type 3 motor that dont exist on a beetle motor (and there are no bosses in a beetle case to drill and tap mounting holes into... hence why a beetle motor cant be put in a kombi despite the apparent similarity of the two), air cleaner is totally different to either a bug or kombi etc etc... there are prolly other differences I dont know about too that a person specialising in type 3's could point out. 🙂