1967 Volkswagen Type III 1500 A Notchback review from Australia and New Zealand

The brakes needed a total overhaul, costing $780.

Rust appearing in the floor pan.

Fuel pump weak, sometimes needs petrol down the carby to get it started.

Wipers move very, very slowly.

I bought this car over 10 years ago for $500.

I had always loved the retro shape of the notchback sedan, even better than the fastback, and have always intended to restore it, but have never got around to it.

This is a strange car in many respects, as it is air cooled, rear mounted engine, has front and rear boots (trunks), has swing axles, fuel filler is under the bonnet (hood), oil filled air filter, wiper washer works off a hose line to the spare wheel. When your washer's don't work - you also have a flat spare tyre!!

But it is charming enough to overlook most of it's weird attributes - in fact they become part of the experience.

Driving one of these notchies is like driving a car from the 1940's. It has 4 drum brakes, a noisy and putt-putt motor, and speeds over 100 km/hour (62 miles) can sometimes happen with a tailwind. However, I find it amusing and enjoyable enough to get a thrill out of it.

I must say that the clutch and gearbox are excellent, and it's comfortable enough. I was happy to find that just about every part is still available, and usually has been improved or customised from original to give you a wide range of styles for cheap prices. I have owned 5 different Type 3's over the past 20 years, and every one has had rust in the floor and inside the rear quarter panels - which unbolt easily. Replacement floorpans are available in fibreglass and steel for a small charge.

To sum up, I sometimes think this car is as interesting and similar in looks to a Porsche 356, which can cost $100,000, but at only a few hundred dollars for a restorable example - the Type 3 Notchback must be the best classic car bargain around.