TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:20 am

Are fastbacks really unpopular? I have seen a lot of posts where they talk about cutting up or piecing out parts from them & add "it's just a fasty" :shock: . I like fastbacks :D & it seems as though a lot of people have them. What gives? :?

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:02 am

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally I prefer the fastback style, maybe the owners of the other styles are just jealous.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:20 am

Just as the Type 3 is the bastard child of the air-cooled VW world, the Fastback seems to be the bastard child of the Type 3 VW world.

That being said....I believe that most of the "it's just a Fastback" comments are made tongue in cheek.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:29 am

Squares are popular because of practicality. Notches are popular because of rarity and the "conventional" look to them. Fastbacks are an acquired taste--large interior for a sedan, quieter than a square, but not as balanced from the outside.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:34 am

I believe that most of the "it's just a Fastback" comments are made tongue in cheek.[/quote]

I hadn't looked at it that way, but I also like the idea that they are just jealous! :D

Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:51 am

People seem to get pretty ruffled when we start kicking around ideas like whale-tales and motor transplants so I gotta say it's 'tounge-in-cheek'.

I think the fastback, specifically the late 60's type are one of if not the best looking Vdubs out there.

cheers,

Scott

Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:53 am

LEDFOOT wrote: I believe that most of the "it's just a Fastback" comments are made tongue in cheek.

I hadn't looked at it that way, but I also like the idea that they are just jealous! :D[/quote]

I fell in love with them in the late 70's I was one of 3 in the area driving a Fastback because I wanted to. As mentioned above beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I personally think it is the best looking t-3 out there. It has the right lines and shape. When I decided to get another VW 5 yrs ago I could have had any car I wanted but I made a beeline back to the fastback. I had great memories of my 1st one a 67 I bought for 50 bucks running and complete but well used. I cringe when ever someone cuts one up since it is sad they are viewed and a parts car to repair a notch or square but then that is just life. I love all t-3's but the Fastback to me is the best. JMHO

Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:53 am

I like fastbacks, dont understand how people couldnt, but hey, if everyone was the same it would be a dull world.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:43 am

At least they're not as ugly as a bay window bus. :wink: JK!!!!

Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:52 am

jaransonT3 wrote: Just as the Type 3 is the bastard child of the air-cooled VW world

Ahem, need you be reminded of the existence of the Type 4? Let's give credit where it is due, shall we? :wink:

Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:59 am

I too really like the looks of the late 60's fastys. My dad gave me my '71 as a gift for selling my '71 beetle. Mine needed work & he just had his engine rebuilt so it was good for me :D . One day I may try to get a 60's fasty. I should probably worry about the one I have now first!! :P

Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:33 pm

I own a square, and love the look of a fastback.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:42 pm

LEDFOOT wrote: I believe that most of the "it's just a Fastback" comments are made tongue in cheek.

I hadn't looked at it that way, but I also like the idea that they are just jealous! :D[/quote]

Sorry, positively no jealousy involved. :lol:

Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:44 pm

FASTBACKDON wrote: LEDFOOT wrote: I believe that most of the "it's just a Fastback" comments are made tongue in cheek.

I hadn't looked at it that way, but I also like the idea that they are just jealous! :D

I fell in love with them in the late 70's I was one of 3 in the area driving a Fastback because I wanted to. As mentioned above beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I personally think it is the best looking t-3 out there. It has the right lines and shape. When I decided to get another VW 5 yrs ago I could have had any car I wanted but I made a beeline back to the fastback. I had great memories of my 1st one a 67 I bought for 50 bucks running and complete but well used. I cringe when ever someone cuts one up since it is sad they are viewed and a parts car to repair a notch or square but then that is just life. I love all t-3's but the Fastback to me is the best. JMHO[/quote]

Back in 1988, I was looking for a 69 Fastback, but couldn't find one. In 1989, I found a 70 Fastback, and bought it, and never looked back. I still like them, even though I've got 2 Notchbacks (we still have that Fastback too). I've never cut up a Fastback to fix a Notch, but I have cut up 2 Squares to fix a Notch. :wink:
On an other note, there were 11 Fastbacks at the Invasion, 3 were early, and 8 lates. That means there were more Fastbacks than Notchbacks, but even more Squares than either body style.
I agree that Squares are more utiliarian, and as such get picked up more easily, and the Notch being rarer here in the US, makes having one, a t-3 dream, but the Fastback is very under rated, seldom seen, and offers more room inside than a Notch, and even has a larger rear trunk than a Notch.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:14 pm

When I parked mine, I started seeing one driving around Arlington, TX. that was an early 70's w/a nice red paint job. I don't know who owns it or if he/she is a member, but it sure was nice to see another one (especially one that looked & ran better than mine :) ).

Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:43 pm

If I talk any crap on them, its cuz I can. I started out with them. Loved them all too. I aint proud :roll:

I got alot of tail in this car, no lame whale tails eithor 8)

Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:07 pm

I think it's the word fasty that brought it all on. The world would be different if there was "squarey" and "notchy".
"it's just a squarey" doesn't sound as cool in idiot vernacular.
:)

Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:10 pm

ubercrap wrote: jaransonT3 wrote: Just as the Type 3 is the bastard child of the air-cooled VW world

Ahem, need you be reminded of the existence of the Type 4? Let's give credit where it is due, shall we? :wink:

I don't know about that, as everyone knows the t-4 was an ugly car. But t-3s are beautiful cars, and the Vintage VW club of America doesn't even acknowledge that our cars even exist (they've been around since 1961). If it isn't a bug, bus or t-1 ghia, it doesn't exist according to them. :roll: I guess that really means you're in our club. :shock:

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:24 pm

Bobnotch wrote: ubercrap wrote: jaransonT3 wrote: Just as the Type 3 is the bastard child of the air-cooled VW world

Ahem, need you be reminded of the existence of the Type 4? Let's give credit where it is due, shall we? :wink:

I don't know about that, as everyone knows the t-4 was an ugly car. But t-3s are beautiful cars, and the Vintage VW club of America doesn't even acknowledge that our cars even exist (they've been around since 1961). If it isn't a bug, bus or t-1 ghia, it doesn't exist according to them. :roll: I guess that really means you're in our club. :shock:

Well said.
The first T3 I ever saw was a fasty and I fell in love. When I discovered squares and notches existed I fell in love twice more. I didnt even like cars and had never owned one, but I had to have a t3. I got stuck on squares and I think its all aesthetic. I just looooooove the way a squareback looks. A ravishing, tiny, perfect specimen of automotive design. After owning one for a few months I find myself thanking god I didnt jump the gun and buy that first fasty. They have a grandma element to me. And they get mistaken for all sorts of fastbacks/hatchbacks...any car with an ugly hunchback. And notches are a little more common looking (badass as they are), mistaken for all variety of mercedes/volvo/datsun. People usually dont know or guess what my sb is. That being said Id take any t3 over any car in the world. And if there were no such thing as a squareback or notchback Id be happy as sh!t to roll a fasty.

my 25 cents.

PS "Variant" is also the coolest name for a car ever.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:16 pm

I like all type 3's I have had all but a T34 ghia... I love my notches and my square, would like a fasty but I want the right one and have not seen one forsale yet.... or remotely close to my price range