1971 VW Fastback.
Discussion
Just purchased this.
It's a 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback. It's got a 1600cc aircooled engine like the late beetle, but came with a factory dual carb set up. These are getting pretty rare now.
Really enjoying it so far. Had a few different aircooled VW's in the past and this is the best one yet. It's amazingly solid. Everything works as it should, even the heating.
Need to raise the suspension a bit to improve the ride quality, but other that that it's just minor jobs all round to keep it in top shape.
65hp engine seems to go really well. I was surprised how well it drives, other than the crashy suspension. It's easy to raise / lower the suspension on these.
Might be tempted to increase the power in the future, should tune to 80-100hp fairly easily.
Any one else owned one of these? Would love to hear your stories.
It's a 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback. It's got a 1600cc aircooled engine like the late beetle, but came with a factory dual carb set up. These are getting pretty rare now.
Really enjoying it so far. Had a few different aircooled VW's in the past and this is the best one yet. It's amazingly solid. Everything works as it should, even the heating.
Need to raise the suspension a bit to improve the ride quality, but other that that it's just minor jobs all round to keep it in top shape.
65hp engine seems to go really well. I was surprised how well it drives, other than the crashy suspension. It's easy to raise / lower the suspension on these.
Might be tempted to increase the power in the future, should tune to 80-100hp fairly easily.
Any one else owned one of these? Would love to hear your stories.
Never owned one, but congrats on an awesome classic. Closest I've come to one of these was a mate had an orange type 3 Notchback way back in 1988, good fun and surpisingly practical for a couple of lads working a Saturday job at sainsburys and camping / fishing over the weekends. Fond memories.
How would you tune it? different Carb / induction and an Exhaust?. Do they respond well to head work?.
Looks really nice, Any interior pics?.
How would you tune it? different Carb / induction and an Exhaust?. Do they respond well to head work?.
Looks really nice, Any interior pics?.
My father had one new in about 1968 - it was the pre facelift 1600 Variant with the small tail lights like this - in white too. He and my mother flew to Wolfsburg, collected it and then toured Europe in it before shipping it back to Sri Lanka where they lived. I was brought home from hospital in it in 1970!
Apparently all my cousins would pile in the boot to be driven around but 5 mins into any journey, their arses would be scorching!
It would make a lottery win garage for me for nostalgia alone although I can't actually remember it! I have period photos of it in the family though.
Apparently all my cousins would pile in the boot to be driven around but 5 mins into any journey, their arses would be scorching!
It would make a lottery win garage for me for nostalgia alone although I can't actually remember it! I have period photos of it in the family though.
I'd love an early Notch or Squareback.
To get 80-100bhp out of it you're probably going to end up opening the motor up aren't you? You'll get a bit more power with new carbs (although limited space narrows your options there), and a bit from update dizzy and an aftermarket header/muffler
To get 80-100bhp out of it you're probably going to end up opening the motor up aren't you? You'll get a bit more power with new carbs (although limited space narrows your options there), and a bit from update dizzy and an aftermarket header/muffler
Fast Bug said:
I'd love an early Notch or Squareback.
To get 80-100bhp out of it you're probably going to end up opening the motor up aren't you? You'll get a bit more power with new carbs (although limited space narrows your options there), and a bit from update dizzy and an aftermarket header/muffler
Yes it will need to be opened up, good time to see if rest of internals are OK. New barrels and pistons to make is 1776cc. Add a mild cam, new heads and shouldn't be too far off. It's already got an extractor exhaust. (Cyclone). Ideally I want to keep the stock carbs, but they shouldn't hold it back too much. They are Dual Solex 32's. So probably get enough fuel in the motor for that application?To get 80-100bhp out of it you're probably going to end up opening the motor up aren't you? You'll get a bit more power with new carbs (although limited space narrows your options there), and a bit from update dizzy and an aftermarket header/muffler
Not sure about the distributor. I think for a daily driver it still needs a vacuum advance and maybe the stock one is just the best? But I've not really looked at other options.
Priority is longevity and drive-ability, so will probably limit me more to something like 90bhp. But that is a big difference from the stock 65!
Dapster said:
My father had one new in about 1968 - it was the pre facelift 1600 Variant with the small tail lights like this - in white too. He and my mother flew to Wolfsburg, collected it and then toured Europe in it before shipping it back to Sri Lanka where they lived. I was brought home from hospital in it in 1970!
Apparently all my cousins would pile in the boot to be driven around but 5 mins into any journey, their arses would be scorching!
It would make a lottery win garage for me for nostalgia alone although I can't actually remember it! I have period photos of it in the family though.
Squarebacks are really nice. Really practical, but not that many around now in the UK. Boot shouldn't get that hot, it's insulated above and below!Apparently all my cousins would pile in the boot to be driven around but 5 mins into any journey, their arses would be scorching!
It would make a lottery win garage for me for nostalgia alone although I can't actually remember it! I have period photos of it in the family though.
texaxile said:
Never owned one, but congrats on an awesome classic. Closest I've come to one of these was a mate had an orange type 3 Notchback way back in 1988, good fun and surpisingly practical for a couple of lads working a Saturday job at sainsburys and camping / fishing over the weekends. Fond memories.
How would you tune it? different Carb / induction and an Exhaust?. Do they respond well to head work?.
Looks really nice, Any interior pics?.
Plan for engine is cam, heads, new pistons and barrels. Head work makes a big difference I think. Already got extracor exhaust and twin Solex Carbs (OEM) .But that's next year I think, I'll drive it round a fair bit first.How would you tune it? different Carb / induction and an Exhaust?. Do they respond well to head work?.
Looks really nice, Any interior pics?.
Interior is really nice, previous owner had made a nice job of restoring the interior.
I'll upload a better pic later. Cheers.
STURBO said:
Just purchased this.
It's a 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback. It's got a 1600cc aircooled engine like the late beetle, but came with a factory dual carb set up. These are getting pretty rare now.
Nice It's a 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback. It's got a 1600cc aircooled engine like the late beetle, but came with a factory dual carb set up. These are getting pretty rare now.
And as you say, pretty rare these days.
For some reason they are the only air-cooled VW I've ever liked (other than a Schwimmwagen
)
Looks very nice, I have owned two in the past both 1972 model year, both fastbacks
Loved em both, just watch out in the wet or on ice, when they let go, they let go very quick, all the weight at the back, thats why I got the second one!!
Very reliable, my old man had two back in the day as well, the best Air Cooled VW he used to say, way better than the 412 which he got after the type 3.
KelWedge said:
Looks very nice, I have owned two in the past both 1972 model year, both fastbacks
Loved em both, just watch out in the wet or on ice, when they let go, they let go very quick, all the weight at the back, thats why I got the second one!!
Very reliable, my old man had two back in the day as well, the best Air Cooled VW he used to say, way better than the 412 which he got after the type 3.
Hi,Loved em both, just watch out in the wet or on ice, when they let go, they let go very quick, all the weight at the back, thats why I got the second one!!
Very reliable, my old man had two back in the day as well, the best Air Cooled VW he used to say, way better than the 412 which he got after the type 3.
Yes I expect it to be a bit tail heavy. I'll probably leave it in the garage when it's icy!
412's have a better engine I think, but I don't like the look of them, plus there is only about 20 left.
I had a 1973 Squareback when I was 17 for about 3 months - loved it, I was also the coolest kid on the block!
Yellow with (genuine) rust effect in a number of places - very lowered - in fact the front end was only a couple of inches off the tarmac and couldn't make it up the ramp to the Queensmere car park in Slough which I found out to my peril on a busy Saturday morning. Single piece (and very loud) exhaust, 135 tyres on the front with 185 on the back on stock steel rims with some very polished 60's dome hub-caps. It was very subtly customised by the previous owner who missed it so much he bought it back from me after 3 months for £150 more than he sold it to me!!
Aside from the run to the sun and bug-jam I never saw another one on the road while I had mine - wish I'd never let it go but £150 profit to a 17 y/o was big ££££'s - bought a Vauxhall Viva with a Ford Pinto 2.1 under the bonnet with the proceeds!
Yellow with (genuine) rust effect in a number of places - very lowered - in fact the front end was only a couple of inches off the tarmac and couldn't make it up the ramp to the Queensmere car park in Slough which I found out to my peril on a busy Saturday morning. Single piece (and very loud) exhaust, 135 tyres on the front with 185 on the back on stock steel rims with some very polished 60's dome hub-caps. It was very subtly customised by the previous owner who missed it so much he bought it back from me after 3 months for £150 more than he sold it to me!!
Aside from the run to the sun and bug-jam I never saw another one on the road while I had mine - wish I'd never let it go but £150 profit to a 17 y/o was big ££££'s - bought a Vauxhall Viva with a Ford Pinto 2.1 under the bonnet with the proceeds!
STURBO said:
Fast Bug said:
I'd love an early Notch or Squareback.
To get 80-100bhp out of it you're probably going to end up opening the motor up aren't you? You'll get a bit more power with new carbs (although limited space narrows your options there), and a bit from update dizzy and an aftermarket header/muffler
Yes it will need to be opened up, good time to see if rest of internals are OK. New barrels and pistons to make is 1776cc. Add a mild cam, new heads and shouldn't be too far off. It's already got an extractor exhaust. (Cyclone). Ideally I want to keep the stock carbs, but they shouldn't hold it back too much. They are Dual Solex 32's. So probably get enough fuel in the motor for that application?To get 80-100bhp out of it you're probably going to end up opening the motor up aren't you? You'll get a bit more power with new carbs (although limited space narrows your options there), and a bit from update dizzy and an aftermarket header/muffler
Not sure about the distributor. I think for a daily driver it still needs a vacuum advance and maybe the stock one is just the best? But I've not really looked at other options.
Priority is longevity and drive-ability, so will probably limit me more to something like 90bhp. But that is a big difference from the stock 65!
The reason that the engine has twin carbs has nothing to do with performance, and everything to do with the fact that a single carb would sit above the engine and require a bump in the boot floor. Replacement carbs would make a huge difference, as long as they fit. A 1776 conversion? Make sure it's not one where the barrels slip in without machining - the only way they can do this is if the cylinder walls are thin, and if you use one of these kits the cylinders will distort with use. If you go 1776, use a proper kit and have the crankcase and heads machined.
A Bosch 009 distributor, without vacuum advance, will work fine.
Fit VDO electronic oil pressure and temperature gauges.
I'd love to see some more photos, please! Good luck with it.
STURBO said:
Just purchased this.
It's a 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback. It's got a 1600cc aircooled engine like the late beetle, but came with a factory dual carb set up. These are getting pretty rare now.
Quite rare even in the day, my boss had one back in the 1970's, I used to get a lift home in it some days when my own vehicle (MG Midget or Hillman Imp) was out of action. It's a 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback. It's got a 1600cc aircooled engine like the late beetle, but came with a factory dual carb set up. These are getting pretty rare now.
I like these. Quite rare nowadays and, in fact, not that common back in the day. Much rarer than the Beetle.
A family friend had one of the Variant Estates new and I remember it being a bit different, well made and an unusual sight on the roads even then (early- mid '70s).
I could be quite tempted if a decent one came up now as I have fond memories of them.
A family friend had one of the Variant Estates new and I remember it being a bit different, well made and an unusual sight on the roads even then (early- mid '70s).
I could be quite tempted if a decent one came up now as I have fond memories of them.
I had a fun summer using this car. It really drives well for such an old car.
But I got a bit OCD. really wanted to get the body and paint to a higher standard, and quickly realised how much time and money that would cost to do it right. Plus I do prefer the looks and simplicity of the older models.
Saw another Type 3 Fastback for sale, and it was much more original and in amazing condition. It's a 1967 South African import. So rot free and still with the original interior (Minus carpets).
So I purchased that one. My Red 71 is now on ebay........
So here's a few pics of the new one. Got quite a few minor jobs to do, mostly as it's been laid up for a while without being used much. I'll probably raise the suspension a little as it's a bit too low (Common issue with VW's - luckily that's the only modification this one has had, other than the wheels).
Roll on spring when she can come to play again.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/0u7AMc35[/url]
But I got a bit OCD. really wanted to get the body and paint to a higher standard, and quickly realised how much time and money that would cost to do it right. Plus I do prefer the looks and simplicity of the older models.
Saw another Type 3 Fastback for sale, and it was much more original and in amazing condition. It's a 1967 South African import. So rot free and still with the original interior (Minus carpets).
So I purchased that one. My Red 71 is now on ebay........
So here's a few pics of the new one. Got quite a few minor jobs to do, mostly as it's been laid up for a while without being used much. I'll probably raise the suspension a little as it's a bit too low (Common issue with VW's - luckily that's the only modification this one has had, other than the wheels).
Roll on spring when she can come to play again.
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