Hi, people - first post. The beast is a '71 TL auto in migraine-inducing Honey Brown. She's my daily baby while I sort out my '76 Kombi, i.e. weld a new roof into the bugger.
I grew up squeezing in and out of the back seat of my old man's white '70 T3, so these things are nothing new. I got some long-term plans involving lowering, rust-cutting and paint, but for now I'm just working through her, sorting out the details. Already done: carby rebuild, paint T-Cut to make it even more lurid, fresh-air fan rebuild, wiper linkage lube, rewiring bad rewiring jobs.
Due to stuffed odo and laggy speedo needle, I'm thinking of upgrading to '72-'73 instruments and steering wheel (I just like 'em better). If anybody in SA has some lying around in a shed somewhere in half-decent condition, please get in touch. I've also heard a rumour the steering wheel spline count is different for the later wheels, which might call for a shaft replacement. Can anybody shed some light on that one? Cheers.......

G'day mate, good to have you on board!

Ive only had early Type 3s so cant help you on the gauges or the steering spline question, sorry about that.

Just thought Id add a welcome to you

Scarab (aka: Paul)

Thanks! Slowly getting there with the old fasty. I was getting some pretty interesting braking, intermittent lock-ups on the front wheels and pulsating braking like the discs were oval or something. Finally did something about it yesterday and whacked some new brake hoses in. I've seen this happen before, but that doesn't stop it being creepy. Cut the old hoses and the cross-section of the actual tube was down to about 3mm in some spots! Sure enough, they were original equipment, date-stamped 71, made by PBR for VW Australia. Test drive showed hoses alone were causing about 80 per cent of the problem. So a reminder to everybody out there, especially if your brakes start scaring you - 39 years is probably a bit more than you can reasonably expect from a set of hoses.

you might find a quick machine of your discs and new pads will clear up the other 20% of your issue.

glad you were able to sort most of it with hoses.....well done!

Scarab (aka: Paul)

I have a TL Fasty, I am customizing it (V6 Conversion) and as to the gauges Im not sure on were I want to go with them but I have removed them for the time being as I am refacing the dash and making a fibreglass replica for customization. I will keep you in mind if I will not be using them in my final design of the Fasty. I will probably go a digital read out on the speedo but still uncertain as to the steering spline if the teeth dont match why not make your own boss kit ?. Good to see another Type 3 lover in SA.

Cheers for that - was playing with the idea of an adaptor, but (1) don't have the steering wheel yet, and (2) not really set up for machining that kind of stuff. Good luck with the V6 - what engine are you going with? I was driving through Tarlee a couple of days ago - nice part of the world.

G'day! I'm not really part of the 'Adelaide Type 3 crew', but I did own and daily-drive a '73 Squareback last year, so that's got to count for something! Have a picture:



The '70s colours of the late Type 3s are certainly an acquired taste in this day and age. As you can see, mine was mustard yellow which I rather liked. I have to say though, the steering wheel was nothing special. If you really like them that much then I'm pretty sure they're identical to the ones used in all the late Beetles from '71 or '72 onwards, so they shouldn't be hard to find.

If you're looking for bits and pieces then I'm pretty sure that there are at least two late Type 3s advertised on this forum for parts, so you should be alright. Failing that, Paul Kennedy at Volksfactory has always had pretty much every part I've ever wanted, and at a good price too. Definitely a good shop, I drive 45 minutes each way just to buy stuff from there!