hey guys,


my name is matt, ive being looking into the dub thing over the past two years... & now i 'm hooked...

type 3 wagons (or i think they're called squarebacks), anyway... i was just wondering if i could get some answers to some questions that would help me on making my decision, whether i should get one or not...

questions...

1. what would a reegistered wagon cost me in average or above condition, as i like the custom/rat look...

2. what are some of the negatives about these models, rust, brakes, motor, etc...

3. whats fuel consumption like in these engine, km/litres...

4. are parts for these hard to find & or expensive...

5. what year are what shapes...


thanks for the info...
future VW owner...


thanks
matty martin

G'day Matt, and welcome to the forum!
Sounds like a good choice to get a VW, but then we're all biased here
A few answers for you (my opinions of course)
1) Hard to say, anywhere from $3000 to over $10,000 depending on condition. Unless your very handy, or enjoy restoring, the better car you can find will cost you less to own in the long run.
2) RUST RUST RUST!! This goes for any 40+ year old car. Type 3's have quite a number of bad rust areas and can be hard to repair. Just a few are at the bottom of the windscreen, top rear of front guards, behind the front wheels, sills/heater channels, rear bumper mounts. A lot of these area's rust from the inside out, and can be very hard to know how bad they are. Be wary of cheap resto's as a lot of rust will be covered up.
Mechanically they are very similar to beetles and if well maintained are very reliable. Just make sure you have all NEW fuel lines!!
3) This all varies with state of tune and how you drive. My stock '72 automatic fast back (carby, not EFI) gets ~11km/L on the highway, but this drops to ~8km/l in city driving or a lot of short trips.
4) The only other down side, as they are not as popular as beetles and kombi's, parts are harder to buy. A lot of things like door/window rubbers are NLA. Running gear (motor/brakes etc) are generally available.
5) There are two basic shapes "early", '62-'69 and "late" '70-'73. '69 was a change over year, it had a lot of the late running gear (disc brakes, IRS rear suspension) with the old body shape, so is quite unique. Generally people prefer the early shape. I have only owned late models, and would say I prefer them.

With owning any old car, you need to be aware they need a lot of TLC, they are no longer new cars! This generally means lots of $$ at the mechanics, or lots of hrs in the shed if you like to tinker. I love them, and can't see myself driving anything else, for a while at least! Other than the kombi and beelte of course

So, go out and get yourself a nice unique VW!!

rust is the biggest killer with the Wagons

Ditto on what Andy and Dave said, price? i paid less than $1500 for my square (including 6 months rego), with original books most of the og paint interior, everything except the horn and one indicator worked when i got it, you have to take a magnet with you when you go, a camera and flashlight to check as many of the hard to reach spots, don't be rushed into your purchase and cash is king, knock em down a bit if you can, no harm in asking if they will take less for cash, all they can say is NO. welcome to the fold of potential poverty but undying Love, what ever Model you choose, however you get it, that first registred drive is a long one...if the mechanicals are tip top... Have fun

thanks guys,

that info is a huge help...

at the moment i have an 1961 ek (holden) wagon, just come out of a bare metal respray... so i know about rust!!!!
i love the ek but i thought, living in the eastern suburbs parking is tuff & fuel isn't getting ant cheaper...

so i thought if i down graded in car size & engine size i might be better off... in the long run... or will i ???????????

this is my problem, will the type 3 be as reliable & cost effective as the trusty holden 186 (straight six cylinder)

and

if the body get the rust cut out properly is there much chance of if showing up again especially where ANDY has pointed out...
"Just a few are at the bottom of the windscreen, top rear of front guards, behind the front wheels, sills/heater channels, rear bumper mounts."


thanks for the quick replys...

is there an area on the forum where i can look at some type3 wagons, (for inspiration)....



thanks again
matty martin

look on member s rides for people with type 3's.

otherwise jump on the samba.

mate i had a late square for my first type 3. it drove well, i had it serviced regularly and never had a problem.

personally, i think they ealry type 3's have a bit more of a nicer shape. however i have had 2 late type 3's and they drive a lot better. it all depends whjat you are after.

just take your time, and when a good one comes up you won't regret it at all. welcome aboard.

aaron.

matty, check out Members Rides for some ideas, there is a couple in there including mine

price varies a lot depending on year, early wagons are generally more expensive

also watch out for hidden nasties ie. floor pan. got mine for 2500 which was in pretty good nick and an early!! but the floorpan was damp and rusted badly in some places hidden under carpet, underlay and other crap

a lot of parts are hard to find but are there place like here and The Samba are good source

good luck with the hunting man

and be patient, took me about 9 months to find my Notch when i was looking.

Yes,
I found something really special, a 64 squareback with georgous original paint and almost perfect interior.
With 44 000 original miles.

I paid $8ooo for it and was very happy.

I should have paid 10 to 12.
You get what you pay for!!

Hey Matty,welcome
Ive only been into vw's since late last year and have now got two of them.
A 63 beetle and my recent purchase,a72 Squareback i got for a grand.Both are Rats and both are cool as (but i am biased)
My square is all there,just a couple of normal rust issues (apparently this is normal in certain places) but nothing too bad.
Ive bogged most of it up and it looks ok to me till i can get it done properly.All I'm doing to it is lowering it and putting on stock wheels with beetle hubcaps,nuthin else.
All ya need to do is have a look at various peoples rides on here or the net (type in vw squareback pics and youll find heaps) see what ya like and do WHAT YOU WANNA DO!
My ideas may not suit someone else,as yours may not.This is the key to having a cool ride in my opinion,make it yours however you wanna do it.
My beetle turns heads wherever it goes coz its different,yet its just a stocky terquoise green and lowered to 120mm off the ground.Even a 60 year old woman wanted to buy it for herself! Now thats cool.
I have a stupid smile every time i drive either of my vw's and the total cost of both is under 4grand
As myvintageroom says,ya get what ya pay for,and I'm stoked with what ive got.
Now go out there and get one!
Cheers

Mechanically there is no reason for a type 3 to be cheaper to maintain, and just as reliable if maintained correctly!
Both a type 3 and EK are as economical as your right foot
A type 3 should be a little better, but you will also be slower unless you do some work to the motor.

Any rust repair done properly, and plenty of rust preventative used on the inside of the panels should last another 40 years!

lift those carpets out and lift the tar boards mate, have a good look see in the rear tailgate too, windscreen, front of doors, airscoops at front of windshield, fuel filler neck... you get the gist...my square takes me to work everyday and about two trips down to Lennox head a week, cost me about $35 to fill (98 premium) and i'm getting 400+ k's to the tank, mind you, i Granny it a bit, (never lug the engine) it's stock 1600 sits on 70 75mph with no dramas. do the maintenance as required and you'll be right.

I owned 71 squareback as my first car around 1987 and now drive a 68 notchback on the weekends only.

Like the others said plenty, check for rust. They have their spots but I think that newer cars can rust out much worse and quicker as my falcon has.

Sometimes the tuning can give you the shits as they are twin carbs that must be balanced and remain balanced. My runs great although not very powerfull.

Also check the floorpan around the battery under the back seat.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=78049&sid=247000b2baf9dd...

All you need to know.

thanks for the awesome replys guys..

man you guys are quick to help & share the love....


one more question... do the back seats in the squareback fold down...


thanks
no i'm on thye search
matty martin

yep they do

Don't forget it still has a decent sized boot!!
How many wagons can claim that???

If you get a fast back or a notch you get two boots!!

hey andy,

yeah... but was just wondering about the rear seat folding down for the surfboards...


but good point...

thanks
matty martin