TheSamba.com :: View topic - Can a squareback be a long distance vehicle

Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:49 pm

I have recently just got interested in squarebacks so I hardly know anything at this time ,so I need help. I'm looking in purchasing a 71 squareback type 3. It has a rebuilt engine, new fuel injection and everything seems to be in working order. I'm going to have drive this car 350 miles should I be able to trust it?

Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:56 pm

We drove our 67 square 600 miles to San Francisco to pick up our 69 square. Turned around and drove them Both home to Eugene without problems. We brought a tow strap and a spare tire, but didn't need them.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:22 pm

I drove mine to PHX for Bug-O-Rama in March, 420 miles each way, with no problems.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:30 pm

I drove my 69 fastback on vacation last year. 1500 miles round trip, without a hitch.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:33 pm

ive driven my 64 notch back and forth between huntington and san luis obispo about 3 times in the last few months which is about 230 miles each way.. driving back up there in a few days too.. only problem ive had was a flat

Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:44 pm

What condition were your squarebacks in?

Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:48 pm

Maybe used cars aren't for you if you need guarantees?

Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:49 pm

I drive between SD and SLO- a 310 mile trip -- too many times a year to mention. Even with cylinder heads so cracked and mixture so off that you could barely get up to 50mph on the freeway that square chugged along and made it home. Distance is not a factor. It's only as reliable as the mechanic who takes care of it.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:51 pm

Picked up my 66' fasty in while I was in Los Angeles visiting my brother and drove it up to San Francisco without a single problem. This is my first type 3, let alone my first VW. Sooooo... Just put a little trust in the car. It will pay off!

Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:47 pm

they are horribly unreliable if you are horribly neglectful of maintainence. but, having said that, things can happen to a 40 year old car. such as a spun hub while leading a group of type 3s to the redwoods.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:34 pm

In a word, YES.

I've driven my non-stock baby across the USA...twice (Oregon/South Carolina)! Also from Oregon to Texas and back. And to Colorado and back (several times). In the dead of icy winter to the peak of scalding summers in 100+ degree heat. My parents did much distance driving when she was stock.

Like others said, as long as the drive train is in good condition...

Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:53 pm

People need to seperate the fact that its old with its ability to do what it was designed to do. Do you think people drove it 350 miles when it was new? I go through this with my gfriend all the time :roll:

Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:19 pm

notchboy wrote: People need to seperate the fact that its old with its ability to do what it was designed to do. Do you think people drove it 350 miles when it was new? ...
I wouldn't have put it past my parent to do. I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. :?:

Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:28 pm

I also have a 71 Sqbk and am new to the Type 3s as well. I purchased it three months ago and have made several 80+ mile round trips between San Jose and San Francisco. I also drove it down to Monterey for a weekend and back (230+ miles).

Of course you'll want to make sure it's mechanically sound. Not doing so would be foolish regardless of how far you’re going. If you can't do this yourself take to a mechanic in your area that knows air cooled vw - not just someone willing to work on an old car. I learned this one the hard way. Do a search on the list here for items that should be looked at specifically.

I’ll just echo what other have said better - it's a 40 year old car, but if it's maintained and running properly it will make the trip no problem. The hardest part for me to get used to is the extra noise (engine, road etc.) that's missing from newer cars.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:50 pm

kerrysburke wrote: I have recently just got interested in squarebacks so I hardly know anything at this time ,so I need help. I'm looking in purchasing a 71 squareback type 3. It has a rebuilt engine, new fuel injection and everything seems to be in working order. I'm going to have drive this car 350 miles should I be able to trust it?

A well-tuned and maintained Squareback (or bay window bus, or splittie, or Ghia, or Beetle, or Thing, or whatever) will go any distance you're willing to shell out the gas money for. It's no different than a well-tuned and maintained 2007 Honda Civic in that respect. Why would it be?

I think that's what Notchboy was getting at: people didn't buy these cars in the 60s and 70s and wonder to themselves, "Now, can I drive it 350 miles?"

Like bernalrunner said, the crux of the issue is: is it actually in good working order?

Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:06 pm

of course they are reliable.
VW sold millions of air cooled cars of all types
millions of people around the world in all climates drove them and still drive them millions of miles each year.
yes, the air cooled vw is reliable

Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:08 pm

Back in 1969, I owned a 1968 Fastback with 18K miles. This was at the time, that there were basically no speed limits on the Interstates.
It was nothing for me to take off and drive to Chicago from Des Moines, IA. About 360 miles, each way. I would do the drive each way in about 5.5 hours.

If it wasn't for the speeding tickets today, I would not be afraid to try it with my current 1969 fastback, or my 1973.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:33 pm

I drive my 66 Square, Sophy, all the time and have driven across country on a couple of occasions. In the 8 or so years I have had her, I have just over 50,000 mile on the road with her including two trips of over 5000 miles to go to the Invasions.

I did go through her thoroughly and rebuilt the engine and brakes and stuff.

I won't say that all of those trips were without incident, but she never left on the side of the road for more than an hour or so and I was able to make the repairs on the road.

71 is a good year. Go for it!

Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:21 am

They are as reliable as the spare parts you fix them with.

Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:11 pm

I have a '71 notchback as a daily driver. It never leaves me stranded, just everybody else.