While I have been a beetle lover for many years and will continue to own beetles, the Fastback has really caught my attention and I am really keen on spreading my ways and making one of these my new resto project !!!!

Only prob is that I know NOTHING about them (apart from the fact that they look hot!!) .......

Is it better to buy an early or late one? What should I look for? Do they have any general problems? and I know that this is the unanswerable question but roughly how much should I expect to pay for something that is in "reasonable" condition ie: running with a good honest body ?????

69 was the best year ...early look with late running gear ie disc brakes on front and irs on rear also runs twinport 12v motor ..those early side draught carbies are a pain ....my brother ' Redkg ' has a fully restored one for sale ...its a 67-68

ALL Fastbacks had the twin carb and later some with fuel injected 1600 engines so any early shape from 66 to 69 is generally thought to be "the best shape". 69 was the one with double joint rear end thus the better handling.

DH



[ Edited on 10/6/2007 by 1500S ]

ah you are onto a good thing with fasties. This is mine, which is currently being resto'd. Nothing out of the ordinary that I can say to look out for, except that look for a solid rust free floorpan and the rest is fixable (within reason)

I had a 70 fastback with the new look. The old rounder look is nice, but I liked the rubber dash of the new model. Safer in case I hit it. The last cars (around '72) had fuel injection - look for TLE on the back deck lid, which can be a pain to get bits for but provides even more throbbing kW and fuel economy. Smoother power delivery, too. The flat motor can share bits with the Kombi 1700/1800 engines, so look to that engine for spare parts - they are a lot more common than the Type 3 engines.

But Kombi extractors do not provide any warmth in the car in winter. If you are looking at one, know that Type 3 heat boxes are rare as hens teeth and command a small fortune.

thanks,
Andrew

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

>The flat motor can share bits with the Kombi 1700/1800 engines, so look to that engine for spare parts - they are a lot more common than the Type 3 engines.<

Can you advise on which bits are interchanecable Andrew as the 1700/1800 Kombi engine is the totally different Type 4 engine?????????? I would have thought that verry little would be of any use to a type 1, 2 or 3.

DH

I had heard that from the guy who worked on my type 3 up near Coburg. I assumed it to be true.

Andrew

Fastys rule. Get one now 'cos they're about to take off.

honestly people!!!! STOP encouraging her!!!!

Fasties do rule, as do any Type 3.

I would be looking for an early 66-69 model as a preference, as they are more desireable than the later long nose models. I just resto'd a 67 that i had sitting around for the last 3 yrs. they are still easy to find bits for and wont cost you the earth. The early ones 66/67 are prone to rusty floors and sills but otherwise dont suffer too badly from rust in the bodies. later long nose 70-73 models do rust around the rear outer vents next to the rear window and around the brake fluid reservoir..

Happy Hunting! :thumb

I'm just about to start a resto on my 66 Squareback. I'll post pics soon.
I love the new Type3 section.

If you have the chance, get a Type3, they're so much nicer to drive than a Type1. I've had several Type1 and have a 77 BayWindow atm and I loved driving the Type3 Wagen home from where I picked it up. I kept thinking to myself all the way home, "where have these cars been all my life?"

I absolutely agree Tinman, a type 3 section would be awsome!

Im in the guts of a resto on my 69 Squareback, hope to get some photo's on soon

What is better than a slammed 2pak black squareback with red trim??

Cheers.

Paul

A slammed off white squareback with salt n pepper trim!
Ha HA HA!

Oops sorry wrong post. I think having Wiggles Space dancing on for the fifth time today is starting to affect me

[ Edited on June 18th, 2007 by electricmonk ]

Sorry Heath, one lives to improve on his work so i cant have two masterpieces!!

But none the less bloody awsome !!!! Love your Sqaure!!

I often regret selling it but i know you love it as much or more than i did.....

i Sold a 69 Fasty to another mate and i sware he loves his car more than his wife..

Paul

Anyone in oz manufacture those trick clear indicator and tail lamp lenses to suit Type 3's. Coz i want some.

Davo

I have heard that you will need to do a bit of "fixing" to get the current clear front indicators to fit, how much I think varies from set to set.

Not trying to discourage you, I would like to do the fronts as well. Just letting you know what I have heard

[ Edited on June 19th, 2007 by electricmonk ]

early shape has to be the best love them :thumb

u have e-mail and ph message Dave!

Hi

OK the good & bad news. The type 3 front end is a very smooth running unit, the smooth running is one of its downfalls as the whole thing is is mounted in rubber, but its not a problem for normal driving. That's why Type 3s always feel very nice on the road. Type 3s were usually the family car, so they got the garage, the bugs mostly lived outside. With the IRS Type 3s the motor and trans swing in breeze, not ideal for performance motoring, but no big deal for the normal driver. They are more aerodynamic than a flat screen bug.

I think that the earlier ones look nicer than the later ones.

Steve