1971 Volkswagen Type III Squareback F.I. 1.6

Summary:

A good classic daily driver/ resto car

Faults:

Bolt fell into fan shroud, causing loud buzzing noise. Engine had to be removed and tin taken off to remove bolt.

Over the years several wires have had to be repaired, replaced or reconnected, especially those wires in the Fuel Injection system.

The Manifold Pressure Sensor recently failed, probably due to a spin out which the car did (that is a known problem with D-Jetronic engines, spin outs hurt their MPSes). Whole fuel injection system was replaced with Dual Carburetors from 1967 type III (dual Solex 32 PDSITs).

General Comments:

Car drives far better than a Volkswagen Beetle.

Very comfortable interior for a car of its era, has good ventilation and heating system.

Gets excellent gas mileage.

Handles very well for an older station wagon and is not as prone to oversteer as earlier Volkswagens.

Fuel Injection system allows the engine to start and run beautifully, like a car from the 1990s not like a early 1970s car.

High back seats are quite comfortable.

Has decent performance for an older Volkswagen, cruises at 84 miles and hour.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th February, 2004

22nd Dec 2004, 11:57

You say the fuel injection system allows the car to start and run beautifully, yet you replaced yours with carburetors?

26th Nov 2005, 06:07

Aparently a lot of mechanics change the cars over to carberetors because they simply don't understand the old VW fuel injection systems, and usually VW purists hate them for it.

10th Dec 2008, 18:41

It might not make sense to some. But converting back to carburetors makes sense considering that nobody makes parts for the old Fuel Injection system anymore. The F.I. System is not as durable or long lasting as a simple, straightforward carburetor.

29th Jan 2009, 10:06

The electrical parts and wiring may not hold up as well as carbs, but there certainly aren't problems with the mechanical parts. There's also a growing crowd of enthusiasts of pre-OBD cars that want to keep them running, so there's a growing aftermarket offering a computer update to OBD II control systems. Ask around, you'll find them.

1969 Volkswagen Type III fastback 1.6 flat four

Summary:

A great car if you are willing to make the effort

Faults:

Spark plugs and wires, Steering column replaced soon after purchasing.

Minor fire under dash caused by faulty wiring performed by previous owner.

Bearings replaced after a few months of owning.

Replaced tires.

Horn stopped working for a few months and now magically works again.

Driver seat is not fully adjustable.

Major exhaust leak would send exhaust into passenger cabin.

Installed new engine and transmission 4-5 months after purchasing.

General Comments:

Handles great and since installation of new trans, engine and tires. It is fast too, and I surprise people in later model cars with ease.

Classic looking car, always turns heads.

It's like flying in an open air cockpit biplane rather than a jet fighter.

I invested over 2 times the purchase price, but is worth every bit for the amount of Farvergnugen you get.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th November, 2003

19th Jul 2006, 22:40

I had the exact same experience with my 1969 Fastback, including the exhaust in the passenger compartment. I just discovered a hole below the battery tray last week. But what can you do? This car is a keeper.

19th Jan 2007, 17:40

Your comment about driving the fastback will be with me for a long time. Very accurate. Same about "what can you do". My 73 droops in the back and is fairly ugly in orange. Really like it anyway for some reason. I have done the engine (not transmission yet) and it has the battery hole too. It is fast for what feels like such a heavy car. I don't think a stock beetle could keep up. If the FI is working correctly that is...

3rd Dec 2009, 17:41

Wow... reading your review was like a blast from the past. I had a 69 type III squareback and a similar experience back in the 70's. How about that windshield squirter powered by the spare tire pressure? Cool. I used to jack up the spare to 70 psi and squirt people on the sidewalk. It goes over snowdrifts like a snowmobile too. You genuinely have to love the Type III in order to still operate one in the 21st century. Either that or be completely insane.

In reply to 3rd Dec 2009, 17:41

23rd Mar 2022, 18:17

Or both.

1969 Volkswagen Type III Fastback 1.6

Summary:

Roomy, nimble, reliable

Faults:

Rear wheel bearings at 175000.

Fuel pump, don't ever let a fuel injected car run out of gas, the pump is cooled and lubricated by fuel, and it's very, very expensive.

Fuel injection computer at 250000, found one cheap at a junkyard.

Fuel injection harness component connectors, their seal is a rubber boot pulled over the connector, a really lousy setup.

Distributor mechanical advance mechanism, I didn't realize it had to have two drops of oil put on the felt lubricator ever oil change.

Generator brushes at about every 50000 miles, easy to change though.

General Comments:

Killer heater, has four heat exchangers and will melt plastic grocery bags if put too close to the heater outlets.

Really crappy defroster though, to get it to work well requires the manipulation of six levers.

Trunk in the front and the rear, plenty of room in the cabin unlike the Beetle.

Very fast car considering its engine is almost the same as a Beetle, can cope with any traffic situation and will top out at over 96 mph. Gets an average of 32 mpg consistently. Handles... funny though, front end is very light and gets lighter as your speed increases, I just make sure I keep the tank full.

Has absolutely no safety equipment in it except seat belts, and nimble handling.

If you know nothing of early Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection and don't wish to learn, do not buy one of these or get one that has been converted to dual carburators

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th March, 2003