1971 Volkswagen Type III Fastback review from North America
"Rare and stylin' little rocket"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The engine wore out, and needed a complete overhaul.
Replaced fuel injection system with Dellorto twin carburetor setup.
Replaced rear wheel bearings.
Replaced master cylinder.
Rust and body damage was repaired.
General comments?
What a neat car. I always liked the unusual and different lines of the fastback VW, and really enjoyed my time with the little car. It always had crisp, smooth handling, a plush ride, and the transmission shifted like new.
The fuel injection system, while not a problem, was replaced upon overhaul because nobody in my area knew how to work on it, and I could deal with the carburetors.
The car had a surprising amount of room, with trunk space both front and back, and a roomy passenger cabin. Typical of cars of this era, there were some problems with rust. The front fenders of Type III's are prone to rust. Still, it was very solid and well built.
I'm looking for one now. They are old now, and comparatively rare, so I expect to pay quite a bit more than I did for my first one. If you have one, don't part with it thoughtlessly...
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1971 |
| Year of manufacture | 1971 |
| First year of ownership | 1983 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 1986 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.6 Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 6 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 91000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 132000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 1st January, 2006 |