Fastback

Ben: My favorite Type 3 sites are: http://www.hallvw.clara.net/ and
http://www.vwtype3.org/
These will give you some great tips on what to look for and what can
be done with these cars. The latter has a classified section. The
first one does too, but most of the cars are in England. If you want
to look further, go to the Samba Classifieds and use the search
function. That address is http:/www.thesamba.com Good luck in your
hunt. Clancy

Ben wrote:
>
> I'm looking to sell my car in april and buy a fastback in decent
> condition. I was wondering what years they changed the engine size,
> and what kind of hp they put out. Also if it is possible to put
> another kind of engine in it. Looking to get the car in april so i
> have time to research and buy. Thanks.
>

Sam.. the best part of a T3 is that within limits you can dial in any
ride height you like, front or rear (or side to side for that
matter). Unlike the bug, the T3 has a separate splined torsion bar
for each front wheel. You can adjust these just like the rear ones
to get any ride height you want. It's not a trival procedure, and
you get some camber changes as you adjust the height, but it can be
done. However, I doubt you would have to. By modern standards, The
T3 has lots of ground clearance anyway.. so I doubt you would ever
have any problems on a road used by modern cars. Brian

samf wrote:
>
>
> I have some type 3 questions too... when I'm inspecting a fastback
> before buying, is there anything I should check out that I wouldn't
> normally on a Bug? Rust spots & such? Any mechanical weaknesses you
> don't get on other VWs?
> And to finish, a slightly odd one - does the fastback have any less
> ground clearance front and back than a Bug? I love the long, low
> appearance of these cars but I live on a very high-crowned road (and
> have a steep driveway too) and don't want to lose half my car going
> to varsity in the mornings... reason for asking is, I found a mint
> '70 fastback a few hours drive from my city and want to know all I
> can before I have to travel. Cheers!
>
> Clancy wrote:
>>
>> Ben: My favorite Type 3 sites are: http://www.hallvw.clara.net/ and
>> http://www.vwtype3.org/
>> These will give you some great tips on what to look for and what can
>> be done with these cars. The latter has a classified section. The
>> first one does too, but most of the cars are in England. If you want
>> to look further, go to the Samba Classifieds and use the search
>> function. That address is http:/www.thesamba.com Good luck in your
>> hunt. Clancy
>>
>>
>> Ben wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm looking to sell my car in april and buy a fastback in decent
>>> condition. I was wondering what years they changed the engine size,
>>> and what kind of hp they put out. Also if it is possible to put
>>> another kind of engine in it. Looking to get the car in april so i
>>> have time to research and buy. Thanks.
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Ben: I'm sure there are others but the only one I can remember is
"Bill & Steve's Foreign Auto Parts". They specialized in Type 3
parts as well as some bug and bus items. It's been years since I've
dealt with them (Are they still in business??) but their address is
(was) 10464 Alondra Blvd. Bellflower, CA 90706 (213) 867-1603. I
think they used to advertise in Hot VW's and VW Trends, but
unfortunately I don't have a recent copy to check. I hope this isn't
a wild goose chase..... Good luck. Clancy

Ben wrote:
>
> Do you guys know of any websites, or companies in california that
> sell fastback parts? cause i dont want to be stuck with the car and
> not be able to find any parts. I am looking to spend about $4000 in
> upgrades and not focusing too much on the engine. I can get the
> parts at wholesale through my work so i can get good deals as long
> as i can find companies to order them from. Thanks
>

Thanks Brian. The only other thing is that it is an Autostick... as a
first time buyer will this bring me grief? (Bearing in mind I cannot
afford an absolutely 'cherry' VW at the moment) Should I wait for a
manual fastback instead?

Sam F

brian-in-NZ wrote:
>
> Sam.. the best part of a T3 is that within limits you can dial in
any
> ride height you like, front or rear (or side to side for that
> matter). Unlike the bug, the T3 has a separate splined torsion bar
> for each front wheel. You can adjust these just like the rear ones
> to get any ride height you want. It's not a trival procedure, and
> you get some camber changes as you adjust the height, but it can be
> done. However, I doubt you would have to. By modern standards, The
> T3 has lots of ground clearance anyway.. so I doubt you would ever
> have any problems on a road used by modern cars. Brian
>
>
> samf wrote:
>>
>>
>> I have some type 3 questions too... when I'm inspecting a fastback
>> before buying, is there anything I should check out that I wouldn't
>> normally on a Bug? Rust spots & such? Any mechanical weaknesses you
>> don't get on other VWs?
>> And to finish, a slightly odd one - does the fastback have any less
>> ground clearance front and back than a Bug? I love the long, low
>> appearance of these cars but I live on a very high-crowned road (and
>> have a steep driveway too) and don't want to lose half my car going
>> to varsity in the mornings... reason for asking is, I found a mint
>> '70 fastback a few hours drive from my city and want to know all I
>> can before I have to travel. Cheers!
>>
>> Clancy wrote:
>>>
>>> Ben: My favorite Type 3 sites are: http://www.hallvw.clara.net/ and
>>> http://www.vwtype3.org/
>>> These will give you some great tips on what to look for and what can
>>> be done with these cars. The latter has a classified section. The
>>> first one does too, but most of the cars are in England. If you want
>>> to look further, go to the Samba Classifieds and use the search
>>> function. That address is http:/www.thesamba.com Good luck in your
>>> hunt. Clancy
>>>
>>>
>>> Ben wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I'm looking to sell my car in april and buy a fastback in decent
>>>> condition. I was wondering what years they changed the engine size,
>>>> and what kind of hp they put out. Also if it is possible to put
>>>> another kind of engine in it. Looking to get the car in april so i
>>>> have time to research and buy. Thanks.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

The questions just get harder and harder, but... anyone know of a
place I could take the fasty for a mechanical check, within a
reasonable drive of Whakatane??

Sam F.

brian-in nz wrote:
>
> Sorry Sam. I don't know anything about auto-stick cars. Maybe
someone
> else can help. Pretty rare in NZ I think. Maybe this model is
> unpopular in NZ and will be hard to sell. So you could get a bargin.
> I bet the seller has met a lot of people who don't want to buy it
> for that reason. Changing to 4-speed box need not be difficult, or
> expensive, if you want to do this.. (just buy a rusty car and swap
> the parts you need, NZ$300 should do it.) but if you do this, beware
> that if the registration details or VIN plate says "automatic" or
> something, you may run the risk of having to get the "modification"
> certified. Brian
>
> samf wrote:
>>
>>
>> Thanks Brian. The only other thing is that it is an Autostick... as
> a
>> first time buyer will this bring me grief? (Bearing in mind I cannot
>> afford an absolutely 'cherry' VW at the moment) Should I wait for a
>> manual fastback instead?
>>
>> Sam F
>>
>> brian-in-NZ wrote:
>>>
>>> Sam.. the best part of a T3 is that within limits you can dial in
>> any
>>> ride height you like, front or rear (or side to side for that
>>> matter). Unlike the bug, the T3 has a separate splined torsion bar
>>> for each front wheel. You can adjust these just like the rear ones
>>> to get any ride height you want. It's not a trival procedure, and
>>> you get some camber changes as you adjust the height, but it can be
>>> done. However, I doubt you would have to. By modern standards, The
>>> T3 has lots of ground clearance anyway.. so I doubt you would ever
>>> have any problems on a road used by modern cars. Brian
>>>
>>>
>>> samf wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I have some type 3 questions too... when I'm inspecting a fastback
>>>> before buying, is there anything I should check out that I wouldn't
>>>> normally on a Bug? Rust spots & such? Any mechanical weaknesses you
>>>> don't get on other VWs?
>>>> And to finish, a slightly odd one - does the fastback have any less
>>>> ground clearance front and back than a Bug? I love the long, low
>>>> appearance of these cars but I live on a very high-crowned road (and
>>>> have a steep driveway too) and don't want to lose half my car going
>>>> to varsity in the mornings... reason for asking is, I found a mint
>>>> '70 fastback a few hours drive from my city and want to know all I
>>>> can before I have to travel. Cheers!
>>>>
>>>> Clancy wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Ben: My favorite Type 3 sites are: http://www.hallvw.clara.net/ and
>>>>> http://www.vwtype3.org/
>>>>> These will give you some great tips on what to look for and what can
>>>>> be done with these cars. The latter has a classified section. The
>>>>> first one does too, but most of the cars are in England. If you want
>>>>> to look further, go to the Samba Classifieds and use the search
>>>>> function. That address is http:/www.thesamba.com Good luck in your
>>>>> hunt. Clancy
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Ben wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'm looking to sell my car in april and buy a fastback in decent
>>>>>> condition. I was wondering what years they changed the engine size,
>>>>>> and what kind of hp they put out. Also if it is possible to put
>>>>>> another kind of engine in it. Looking to get the car in april so i
>>>>>> have time to research and buy. Thanks.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>