G'day all,

I'm looking to go back to an air cooled vdub and have never owned or driven an auto. I'm thinking I'll look for a type 3 a/c more room for stuff and there are some auto's out there that may be good buys for what I want. I'm thinking of maybe lowering a touch and some nice rims
Ive had beetles before and am unsure of what is involved with modding a type 3. Any advice would be most welcome.

Neil

Well lowering the back is exactally the same as a beetle. The front can also be done like the back by adjusting the torsion bars(29 splines inner/31 splines outer), but it limits suspension travel depending on how low you go.

mackaymanx
do you have an automatic in you're manx? How does it go off road. I have an old hot vw mag that has a squareback done like a baja and have always thought of doing the same. money and time is always short but...

No auto in my manx yet, it's a plan for the future

Ive seen type 3's with autos but there aint that many around.

The only one i know of for sale is a white 71 fastback in qld

Did they make auto type 3 Karmann Ghia's.

That would make a nice cruiser.

I have a '73 auto wagon and a '71 auto fasty. Both have been daily drivers ('71 one currently is) and have found both to be great cars to own/maintain/drive. I have beetles and kombi's also, but the type 3's are by far the nicest to get around in (in my opinion anyway).
Economy in town does drop a bit with the auto, but on the highway it's very close to a manual, as you'd expect I guess. For commuting or crusing the auto is nicely setup, and changes quite smooth, change points are just fine to match a stock motor.
Given their added weight and losses in the auto, many people say they are a bit sluggish, especially compared to a beetle but it's far somthing I'd complain about. The benefits of a nicer ride and no need to change gears I think is worth loosing a bit of performance.

The only down side with type 3's though is availability of parts, especially when it comes to lights/panels etc and all the rubber bits are very hard to get hold of.
I have not had to work on any of the auto box's I have, so no idea on parts for them. Motors of course are no issue, and brake bits are generally available.

Hope that helps

We have a 71 Fastback Auto TLE -see pic in signature. Not only is it Auto it is also Injected something I reckon is cool for a 71 vintage vehicle!

It is a smooth driving car that is a pleasure to drive. Auto is great for cruising.

Lowering is easy and you can now find a step by step guide on You Tube.

Even older, ratty Type 3 look great with a nice set of wheels.

Panels are becoming scarce but NOS panels can still be bought from Type3Detectives but they are not cheap 350 pounds, yep pounds, not dollars!

My advice would be if you can find one, even an auto, then grab it.

If your looking for a type3 i've got 4 that u could choose from and I'm in wollongong. Parts arn't an issue, i've wrecked 5 in the last 18months

i have an auto 19790 notch, pure pleasure to drive

I've actually come across more auto type3s than manuals.

Theyre a pretty well built auto, certainly change alot smoother than 90s falcon and commodore crap.