I have aquired a 1970 auto fastback that has only got 47000 miles from new. Unfortuneatly because it has been sitting idle for about 10 years the auto only works in reverse gear. The motor and auto have never been out of the car and certainly not seperated in 40 years. The motors runs sweet as, and it still has the original exhaust which strangly enough has a whistle very similar to the beetle peashooters. I have been told that the O-rings may have perished and the auto will need a total overhaul. I have been quoted between $1500-$2000 to overhaul the auto. If there is a quick fix that would be great as I don't want to seperate the motor and auto if I don't have to. Is it something I can do myself with a good repair manual? Is it worth fixing or should I try to find a good secondhand auto box? Your comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Did it drive fine before being parked?
If yes, then seals and dirty water filled oil will cause havoc if it sat that long un-used.
Auto will need to come out to preplace the seals.
I'm no auto expert, but I would be guessing there are seals internally that may have also gone, so propoably beyond the average back yard mechanic.
I working secondh and box may be a quicker and cheaper option?

Good luck finding a used Type 3 automatic transmission in good condition! I imagine that such an item would be extremely rare, especially to find one lying around for sale cheaply. The only good auto transmissions left are probably in good, running cars, and even those transmissions could probably do with a rebuild after 40 years of use. If you can't afford the rebuild for the auto trans, then I would suggest that a conversion to a manual transmission would probably be cheaper, and the manual box would be easier to find. Anything is possible, however, so check your options thoroughly. It is possible that a decent service and a change of fluid may bring your old sludge-box back to life, but I would be wanting an inspection by an auto trans expert to make sure that it isn't just a waste of money.

whre rr u at might help with finding and suggesting a place to get a box from

Auto's are great!! I personlly would get it fixed or find a working one. They can't be that hard to find, I have 3 (cars that is

Maybe you should have asked why it has been sitting for 10 years? Did it break down?

The question I would ask is...

Does the amount of $$$$ paid for the car + $1500-2000 to fix it = Market value for a 47,000 mile fastback.

I loved my old auto fastback...

Maybe the linkage/cable is broken or not adjusted properly.
Is there enough ATF in it?

Thanks for all your comments. I have heard that the Type 3 autos are great to drive and that is the reason I don't want to convert it to a manual (I've heard that this is not a job for the faint hearted anyway). The reason it has been sitting for so long is the elderly lady that owned it passed away in 1997 and the family had it in a shed and it wasn't until it was damaged (the scrape on the bonnet) by one of their own cars that they decided to sell it to me in 2006. It has sat in my shed idle until now, when all of a sudden my son wants to get it going for his first car. As far as they knew it was going fine before. I haven't changed the oil in it or had it looked at by anyone. In reverse it drives fine and in the forward gears when you rev the engine it does creep forward but ever so little. Going by the service books it was serviced at 20000 miles June 14 1979 and then again at 40000 miles November 1993, so I guess it is due for another one Because it is such a low mileage car, I want to restore it, I don't really care about the whole money spent - market value argument, because this will be a keeper. ( I suppose thats what everyone says)
Cheers Dave (Toowoomba)

New to this forum. I have a little auto type 3 knowledge.

This box is very robust and does its job. Sitting for 10 years really does justify new aTF as suggested. that might make the difference and get you going forward.

The seals between the box and the tranaxle can wear. A fix, when seperated is to place two seals in there.

I own an auto trike and needed to replace the 295/50 tyres with 275/60 for longer legs. makes a difference.