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Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:24 am

I have the oppurtunity to buy a 1972 squareback for $250, but i need to know a little info first. The first thing is that its a fully automatic. Where would i get replacement parts for it. He said it is stock VW, and i have seen a few others while doing a google search. How rare is this car? I need quick responses, as he has gotten citations about having all of these cars in his yard, and he will take them to the junkyard by september 15th (5 days from now!!!). Any info on this car will be helpful.

I have three beetles, but i have never worked on a type 3. One more question, is type 3 engine parts the same as a type 1. Will the intake setup ( intake, end castings, carb) from a type 1 (beetle) work on a squareback?

He also has a 76' bus for $250, which i might also get just to sell, just so it won't get junked.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:38 am

BugMan114 wrote:
I have three beetles, but i have never worked on a type 3. One more question, is type 3 engine parts the same as a type 1. Will the intake setup ( intake, end castings, carb) from a type 1 (beetle) work on a squareback?

the bare engine parts (crank, cam, pistons & cylinders, etc) are interchangeable, but nothing else... take a look at the engine bay of a Type 3 and you'll see why...

Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:02 am

You can get most of the auto tranny parts from bulkparts.com. I've also heard that some transmission shops will still work on them and can get all the parts.

The engine has totally different cooling tin, rear hanger, and short manifolds. Of course, if it still has its original fuel injected engine then you have all the right parts.

Not particularly rare as T3s go. Extremely rare compared to a 2007 Chevy pickup.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:18 am

The automatic makes a nice cruiser w/o thrashing gears! It is slower and could use a 2000cc motor to make it perfect.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:41 am

Go for it. I used to be just Bugs only. Picked up my 73 type 3 Square 4 speed 1600 for a trade of a Chevy PU and I love it. It is fun to drive and you definately dont see them driving around in my part of country Eastern Washington state. Mine is pretty rare around here. Parts are hard to come buy, but thats how you meet great people. I have some pics of my Squareback on my website.
http://public.fotki.com/BethCunningham/for-the-love-of-the-bug/

Good Luck

Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:48 am

Beth, I've got a rust free 72 square if you want any body parts to make your square a keeper?

Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:45 am

For $250, I think you almost can't go wrong. There's got to be at least that much in parts if it turns out to be a rusty basket case....

On the other hand, if it's full of rust and rats nests...I think I'd pass it up.

If you skip it; someone on here will rescue it from your guy. If you take it, I think you'll really like it. Beats the pants off a Beetle any day (at least in the ride, handling, size departments)!

Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:52 am

If it runs and drives - Just DO IT

If not you still might be able to get it running and driving then turn it - DO IT

If it is bad rust bucket you could still part it out and make money - DO IT

If you don't want to mess with # 2 and #3 - pass the info on the car to us someone will take it.

Good luck

Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:24 pm

Thanks for all of the responses. I think i'll just go for it. It's actually a truck conversion, which will be really helpful. Even if the body is shot, would the auto tranny be compatible with a beetle? The tranny in my beetle it crap anyway ( my brother put it in reverse with out clutching, while reving it).

Not particularly rare? Are there many full automatic Type 3's? I haven't been able to find any others ( maybe i'm just not looking hard enough :lol: ).

Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:27 pm

BugMan114 wrote: Thanks for all of the responses. I think i'll just go for it. It's actually a truck conversion, which will be really helpful. Even if the body is shot, would the auto tranny be compatible with a beetle? The tranny in my beetle it crap anyway ( my brother put it in reverse with out clutching, while reving it).

Some of those truck conversions are kickass.

I do not believe the auto is compatible. I think the Beetles had auto-stick (pseudomatic); T3 was full Automatic.

I could be totally wrong on both issues.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:52 pm

If the rest of the car is a POS, you can sell it to a Trike Builder. They love the automatics, and you can probably turn a profit on it at $250. The trans is worth that much as a core.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:07 pm

cool. Will the intake and carb from a type 1 (beetle) work on the squareback. I know the IDF's will, but will a stock bug setup work on a squareback. Also what kind of motor does a squareback have, (1.6, 1.7, 1.8?) the guy said he thinks its a 1.8, but he is not sure.

The beetle i want to put the auto tranny in (if the squareback body is shot) is a 74' super beetle manual, NOT auto-stick. Or a 71 std beetle manual. The 71 is a project car, so as long as it will bolt on to the existing tranny mounts, thats cool, i'm not worried about linkage, as i will weld something up. If it don't fit on the tranny mounts in a beetle i will probrobly just sell it.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:13 pm

NO, The Type 3 automatic will NOT fit in a bug. NO WAY, NO HOW, unless you are a hellasish fabricator. It will not fit between the frame horns.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:22 pm

Ahh, i see. Darn. What about the stock intake and carb setup from a bug and putting it on a T3? The reason i ask is because he doen't have the FI system, or carbs, so i was planing on adding the stock carb setup from a bug to try and drive it home. Are they compatible?

Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:25 pm

Nope, And the t-3 engine does not have a fuel pump mounted on it. It has electric under the tank that puts out about 60 psi if you hook it to a carb.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:29 pm

I have an electric fuel pump that puts out either 3 or 5 psi. It supposed to be for carbs. Will that work?

Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:36 pm

BugMan114 wrote: I have an electric fuel pump that puts out either 3 or 5 psi. It supposed to be for carbs. Will that work?

Even if it would work, you 'll still need T3 Carbs.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:41 pm

Don't tow the automatic in Neutral
You gotta get the rear wheels off the ground or you will lunch the trans.

I've got a type III / Weber progressive I would part with if you need it.
PM me if you are interested.

RMS

Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:48 pm

COFBack wrote: Don't tow the automatic in Neutral
You gotta get the rear wheels off the ground or you will lunch the trans.

I've got a type III / Weber progressive I would part with if you need it.
PM me if you are interested.

RMS

People on here are always so nice! I love VW people.

I also love to use the word "love" in reference to butch guys who have more and nicer tools than I do. The same kind of guys who "get" football.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:23 pm

...especially the Type 3 people!