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T3 Transporter
chill60 - February 6th, 2011 at 09:10 PM

Hi,

Looking at purchasing a 1986 T3 Transporter (South Africa build). Gear box may need rebuild - reverse, first and second ok .... quote suggests 1800 approx.

Body/interior is in good nick.

Any advice out there re known issues with these SA T3's?

Gearbox issues?

Anything?

ahoogah - February 6th, 2011 at 09:28 PM

I have an 89 German built,it's great.
Where were the SA vehicles built.

johny rotten - February 6th, 2011 at 09:42 PM

arr South Africa :smilegrin:

chill60 - February 6th, 2011 at 10:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ahoogah
I have an 89 German built,it's great.
Where were the SA vehicles built.




"Volkswagen South Africa

Established in 1946, Volkswagen South Africa is located in Uitenhage, an industrial town some 35 km from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Since the first Beetle rolled off the line on 31 August 1951, "

chill60 - February 6th, 2011 at 10:13 PM

"arr South Africa "

JR, is that positive or negative

what is the rep of SA Transporters?

ahoogah - February 6th, 2011 at 11:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chill60
Quote:
Originally posted by ahoogah
I have an 89 German built,it's great.
Where were the SA vehicles built.




"Volkswagen South Africa

Established in 1946, Volkswagen South Africa is located in Uitenhage, an industrial town some 35 km from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Since the first Beetle rolled off the line on 31 August 1951, "


Thank's chill 60,I thought they may have been made elsewhere, then imported into SA.

This may be of interest
http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=117 

Phil74Camper - February 7th, 2011 at 06:40 AM

South African-built VWs, particularly ones made in the last 20 or so years, are very similar to German-built VWs. In recent years some of the Golf and Polo ranges sold in Australia have been made in Uitenhage. It's easy to check - look at the 11th character of the VIN. Normally it will be 'W' for Wolfsburg, 'E' for Emden, 'M' for Mexico, etc. South African VWs have a 'U' for the 11th digit.

South Africa actually made the T3 until the late 1990s, long after Germany moved to the T4. The later South African T3s had modified bodyshells with deeper side windows, a new front grille and a higher rear engine cover. They replaced the 4-cylinder wasserboxer engine and used a 2.2-litre Audi 5-cylinder instead.

You may have a problem bringing this vehicle into Australia, as I'm not sure if 1986 South African vehicles used unleaded fuel and catalyser engines. Australian vehicles of that time are required to have them. It may also not comply with some of the ADRs as it won't have a compliance plate.

chill60 - February 7th, 2011 at 11:36 PM

Thanks Phil,

The van has actually been here for 20 years (I don't know the whole story). The present owner suggests it runs much better than the local models, because of that which you describe. Anyway, I'll soon own it: my third VW - the first a 58 split-screen I had as an 18 year old in 78, and late 60's bug.

Cheers

Phil74Camper - February 8th, 2011 at 06:31 AM

That's good, it might have been brought in unwares years ago and registered without the RTA noting its origins, in which case no problems. I'm not sure when the 5-pot came in but I think it was around the early 1990s; before that they were the same wasserboxer motors (CKD) as the German ones.

If it's in straight, unrusty condition it sounds like a good buy.

All you need now is a nice new Golf as well !