Michael Riley's Blog: Hemmings Find of the Day – 1973 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Hemmings Find of the Day – 1973 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback

Like their Beetle brethren, Volkswagen Type 3 Squarebacks once roamed the American landscape, meeting the transportation needs of small-and-frugal families from coast to coast. Today, however, few survive, with most falling victim to time, tinworm or increasingly impoverished owners. Those in pristine shape can command eye-opening prices, which is why we find this driver-quality 1973 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback, for sale on Hemmings.com, so appealing. With a relatively fresh coat of paint and a recent tune-up, it’s already finished enough to be a weekend driver. Drop the 1.6-liter flat four and shop the aftermarket for performance parts, and this VW has the potential to be a sleeper that won’t break the bank, and for the mechanically adept, won’t need to go to the dealership or a specialist shop every time something goes wrong. From the seller’s description:

1973 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback, Representing the final year of production, this Type 3 Squareback represents a ten year effort in restoration, commencing in Florida, and ultimately finding its way to Maine where it was partially completed prior to my acquisition of it.

Refinished in the 1998 factory VW yellow used on the Beetle, with a new interior and many nice upgrades inclusive of new weatherstrips, window seals, new windshield, new german front disk brake rotors, wheel bearings and pads, new tires, extra additional side “pop-out” side vent windows and factory tachometer, its a delightful and fun driver quality wagon to own.

According to the former owner, the 1600 cc air cooled boxer configured engine was overhauled around 60K, inclusive of installation of two Weber carburators, replacing the fuel injection.Its former owner owned a VW restoration and repair facility in Florida, prior to retiring, and relocating to Maine. The Squareback starts, runs, and drives nicely, and is a little cranky when cold for about two minutes,characteristic of the Twin Weber carburators. Its four speed, fully synchromesh transmission shifts nicely with no issues. Recently fully tuned up, and all synthetic oils replaced.