Hi there,
I am about to shortly embark on the restoration of a 1970 notchback. This will be something new to me, as I have never restored a car previously. The car looks to me to be pretty original and only missing a front bumper, and looks to be pretty straight (it has had a bingle on the left front)
I am not flash with a welder, spray gun or the mechanicals (yet) - so i will be coughing up the dollars (within reason) for the experts to do the job.
The majors are: it needs a paint job, new carpets and upholstery, work on the steering and suspension, a front bumper and the motor would need a good tune up - there's probably more but i don't have the experience to know what to look for as yet.
My questions are:
i) Not really knowing where to start. Should I get all the body work and paint sorted first, before attending to the mechanical issues?
ii) Places in Brisbane that will do a good job (both body work and mechanical) at a reasonable price.
iii) VW wreckers in Brisbane that are reasonable and would have some of the gear I'm looking for.

Any advice greatly appreciated - i am really eager to get this beautiful old girl back cruising on the road, restored to her former glory.

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Dunno, she looks pretty good from here, ide hit the mechanicals first and see how you like driving it

How much welding does the body need?

Thanks for your prompt replies.
I don't know how much welding would be required- but i don't think a lot.
When I was looking around for the type 3 some of the ads would state 'rust in the usual places'. Being a relative newbie to this I don't know where the usual places are.

Anyway I bought this off a good bloke in Yamba who has two sheds full of VWs - beetles, Type 3s and Kombis. I took his word that there is not much wrong with it.( It had a former life in Sydney - it still has a 'House of David' decal on its rear window).
The floor pan seems good - not sure about heater channels etc. There is some rust in the front trunk- corners near the firewall - but it looks to be only surface.
I am hoping someone might be able to steer me towards a Brisbane panel beater/painter who knows type 3s and where to look for the rust in 'the usual places'
I am inspired by the 'Elanora' post in this forum and hope to get this one looking something like it.
Thanks again for your replies.

My advice would be start with Al at dasrestohaus he's on the coast but not far to go for the best job you'll get, I'm sure he can co-ordinate the whole job for you....

Good looking notch, enjoY the process and learn a bit as you go...

; ) my 2c, Ben

thanks Ben -got him - just looked him up on the net.

Also, if you are prepared to travel,..

Matt Berry is a good guy to have a chat with.

He does the work on our cars.

And you can read about his on here also.

I'll even let you push in front of our current project just to see another notch on the road.

take some pics of the suspected RUST

fix that first if the car is running and drivable

dude that car looks like it just needs some love not a resto.A propper job on all the areas you mentioned could end up costing a lot more than buying a very nice car low miles og etc.I would definatly shop around for advice.Although you cant tell from one photo your car maynot be worth repairing or it may be worth more not restored?

Thanks for your responses - I will upload some more photos of the rusty areas I have found on the weekend.
I also noticed that the front tyres rub up against the body - on the trailing side- when on full lock. Is this right, or, as I suspect a problem with the steering and suspension? Probably best I upload a photo to show this.

These are the places and extent of rust i can find. Both corners of front trunk and edges of rear boot. In the grand scheme of things not too bad I suppose. Are there other hidden places - AKA 'the usual spots' - that I should look?

Also included a picture of the wheel arch where the tyre rubs - have since been told by a bloke who owns a fastback that it is not out of the norm for this to happen. Doesn't seem right to me.

now with attachment

And wheel arch

Rust in trunk