1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Pictures of your car/s
Forum rules
Only post pictures of YOUR cars here.
Post Reply
User avatar
evan.fraser.274
Oil Stain
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2016 1:36 pm
What model do you have?: T3 FB, T2 Bay, 63 T1
Location: Roodepoort, Gauteng
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 9 times
South Africa

1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by evan.fraser.274 »

Hi all

Here are the first pics of my restoration effort.

So far I am - with the assistance of the team at VDubTech - having the motor taken back to its original state (twin carbs with the right block and distributor) as the current one is a T1 subassembly with a single side draft carb. I have also put 4 new tyres on her as the old ones were a death trap.

I notice some surface rust and started a minor strip of the interior which turned into a full strip of the carpets and sound-proofing. Sadly the rust is a lot worse than I thought and the driver's side floor pan is rusted through; so I will be calling on the help of an expert welder.

Fortunately all the parts I need are available internationally (very little locally due to the import nature of this model - VWSA stopped making the type 3 here in 1969 apparently and I have an import from Rhodesian ex UK)...or am I wrong?

Next steps are:

1. Have the new motor installed with a new clutch and distributor, cleaned-up tin and the right air cleaners. Oh and make sure the heat-exchangers work properly...I enjoy warm feet
2. Get the front steering and suspension sorted; their is excessive play on the wheel end and the general state of the ball joints and tie rod ends is bad
3. Get all the rust sorted out (all the fenders are badly rusted on the inside)
4. Get her resprayed once the rust is sorted
5. Finish up the interior (fix the inner workings of the seats and replace the hood lining); the door panels and seat coverings are excellent still
6. Re-chrome the headlight reflectors and rear bumper

And that should be about it for now :)
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image


Given enough time and money, anything is possible...
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14991
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by Tony Z »

she looks good. Sounds like its going to keep you busy for a while
brianj
Single Port
Posts: 1272
Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:56 pm
What model do you have?: 67DC 66Fasty, 71West
Location: JHB
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by brianj »

Let me know if you find ball joints cheap.. Need for my 66

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
User avatar
GERHARD73
Oil Stain
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:30 pm
What model do you have?: 1974 1600 BEETLE
Location: Brakpan
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 7 times

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by GERHARD73 »

Hi Evan,
Good idea to have her repainted prior to attempting to do the interior, as you would have to remove the rear windows to do the hood lining and the re-install them.

She looks beautiful.
:hangloose: WILL WE EVER KILL THE BUG?!?!?!?!? :hangloose:
1974 BEETLE 1600
VW BEACH BUGGY
2010 2.0 TDI VW KOMBI
2010 1.6 TDI VW POLO 6
User avatar
jolas
Donor
Donor
Posts: 4253
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:11 am
What model do you have?: '65 Kombi
Location: Klapmuts, Western Cape
Has thanked: 393 times
Been thanked: 173 times

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by jolas »

lovely solid looking car :)
by fig » Mar 26, 2018
Sambas in South Africa are good for only 2 things: showing off and sunburn.
User avatar
evan.fraser.274
Oil Stain
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2016 1:36 pm
What model do you have?: T3 FB, T2 Bay, 63 T1
Location: Roodepoort, Gauteng
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 9 times
South Africa

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by evan.fraser.274 »

[quote="brianj"]Let me know if you find ball joints cheap.. Need for my 66

You can import them at a cost of $35.95 each (upper part number 311405361B and lower part number 311405371C; I assume the b/j for the '66 are the same as for the '71). I'm sure you've seen that Volkspares want R792/R741 for the same thing. The problem is that shipping is $80...but I'm willing to entertain splitting the shipping cost with you if you want to order yours with mine :) The only problem right now is that - with the exchange rate - it works out the same price to buy them from Volkspares :shock:
Given enough time and money, anything is possible...
brianj
Single Port
Posts: 1272
Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:56 pm
What model do you have?: 67DC 66Fasty, 71West
Location: JHB
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by brianj »

Thanks for the research!

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
User avatar
evan.fraser.274
Oil Stain
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2016 1:36 pm
What model do you have?: T3 FB, T2 Bay, 63 T1
Location: Roodepoort, Gauteng
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 9 times
South Africa

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by evan.fraser.274 »

[quote="brianj"]Thanks for the research!

Let me know if you want...seems I am going to have to order mine after all and Volkspares have no stock (with no idea when they will be getting) :wink:
Given enough time and money, anything is possible...
User avatar
evan.fraser.274
Oil Stain
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2016 1:36 pm
What model do you have?: T3 FB, T2 Bay, 63 T1
Location: Roodepoort, Gauteng
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 9 times
South Africa

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by evan.fraser.274 »

A quick update: Car has been stripped and is in the process of being painted (compliments of VDubTech)...have ordered all the necessary replacement parts and she is waiting bodywork completion before the front suspension gets some attention...one thing I have learned is how expensive a hobby this can be :shock:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Given enough time and money, anything is possible...
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14991
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by Tony Z »

looking good.... and yea, toys arent cheap
User avatar
retrovan
Donor
Donor
Posts: 8709
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:51 pm
What model do you have?: 52T1,68FB,72Bay,75FL
Location: Eich! no, in Jefferys Bay
Has thanked: 421 times
Been thanked: 539 times
Contact:
Netherlands

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by retrovan »

Good to see yet another Fastback coming back to life.

Yes, to fix it right, costs, but the joy in driving her, is priceless.

You doing a magic job there, following the thread with excitement.

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
AyaThatGuy
Drip
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2016 8:19 am
What model do you have?: Mk1 Golf

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by AyaThatGuy »

Bump for updates
73type2
Pushrod
Posts: 987
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:37 am
What model do you have?: '73 T2 Single Cab
Location: Cape Town
Has thanked: 141 times
Been thanked: 100 times
France

Re: 1971 VW Type 3 Fastback Restoration

Post by 73type2 »

I don't have faith in that white rust conversion stuff that turns purple/black. The rust always seems to come back. I rather strip all the rust and use red oxide primer.
Post Reply