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My rare Type 3 Variant. One of the pre sale test batch.
pfillery - February 10th, 2013 at 10:10 AM

This was my first car from when i was 16 (unless you count the '65 bug I had when I was 14). It is long since sold but I bought it in 1989 or so at 15 years of age and took 2 years to restore it fully. These days I would have done things differently. It would have made a great rat. Had been sitting in the original owners yard since 1979 and had not been run in that time. New fuel and a battery and it started first kick as they do. No rust in the body at all except surface rust. Some in the floor but really very good for a car sat in the weather for 10 years.

This was officially a 1962. It was brought out as part of a batch of 11 cars about 6 months before they went on sale in Australia. They went to large companies to put them through their paces to decide if they suited the Aussie market. Mine was owned by Golden Fleece petroleum and after the testing was done the rep who drove it was allowed to keep the car. He was the person who sold it to me.

When I sold it the new owners pulled the body off the pan and put a later pan on it as far as I know. Anyone on the forum own it now? It was distinctive by its white hand painted fleet numbers in the front under the bonnet.

Thought I'd share my pics as I came across them recently. Enjoy!

As purchased. Awesome patina.
http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/pfillery/image_zps61693535.jpg
http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/pfillery/image_zps21414ded.jpg

After 2 years of weekends, after school and school holidays. Stripped the car completely, all panels came off except the main body. I hand rubbed the entire car down to bare metal, did red oxide and primer and a friend who was a spray painter did the top coat for me. Many trips to the VW wrecker at Northgate back when we wrecked them rather than restore them. It retained the original radio, 6v electrics and engine was virtually untouched.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/pfillery/image_zpseecdf43e.jpg
http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/pfillery/image_zps49f98b85.jpg
http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/pfillery/image_zpsca777751.jpg
http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/pfillery/image_zpsad5133d6.jpg
http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/pfillery/image_zpsde18f13a.jpg

Burrelli - February 10th, 2013 at 11:55 AM

Sweet car

I did not know about the test cars.

Great that you got the story from the original owner.

Thanks for sharing.

beetle_nut - February 10th, 2013 at 12:36 PM

Really nice square.love it..

pfillery - February 10th, 2013 at 01:31 PM

Sometimes wish I still had it. Younger years and the benefit if hindsight.

68AutoBug - February 11th, 2013 at 01:32 PM

YIKES
a very nice very early German made Variant type 3..
black and white wheels and the German side parking lamps..
and BIG German over riders..

Very Nice...

LEE

Carl and Emily - February 11th, 2013 at 05:08 PM

Yes, very nice.

Same colour as my old '63 notch.

Lee,.. I think you will find the wheels are blue and white two tone to match the body.