TheSamba.com :: View topic - The "other" VW in your life:T3 owners perspective

Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:16 am

I like Skater have thought about a thread on what other VWs, dedicated Type 3 owners have, lust after and use. Weve been recently talking about the 68-79 Bay window bus cross over into Type 3 peoples lives. But its no secret that most of us have a broad spectrum of VW interests.

If its still news to some, Ive been eyeballing 68-71 Bay window Westy Campers and Deluxe models. Ive always liked other VWs, mostly old odd balls and coachbuilts (dont we all) like Denzel, Hebmuler, early 50s bug cabs, rometsch, early Porsche off shoots and any well built 50s racing-air cooled project.

I want to travel and camp. I want to revisit all the National Parks I did as a youth. I want to share it with my kids. I want to do it in vintage vw style. I dont want to go broke doing it.

I need a bay window bus.

Here in San Antonio at Volksmith, old John has amassed over 60 Bays for me to choose from-any flavor! Its crazy to see all of it right there. The Samba classys are full of great deals on working, running bays for cheap-under $2500. The parts are plentiful and cheap as well! Now I can re-awaken the mod man in my personality. You know the one that likes to lower, have cool rims, put the dvd player and kick ass stereo in, tinted windows, BIG motor, cool paint and disco ball-neon light-big bon fire-beer drinking ass at the camp site!

With a bay I can do a nice resto custom theme and not feel like Im destroying one of the last examples know on earth. Not like Ive helped turn myself into with the 1500 club.

I own a nice unrestored low mileage 63 sunroof notchback, Im hoping to own a 64 S Ghia convertible. I will have a Bay Bus soon.

Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:33 am

I have all flavors here.
Recently acquired a 78 Bay Window that needs lots of work.
I range from 1958 Single Cab and a 1958 Panel, to a 1988 VW Fox.
The Fox has become my winter daily driver, and my long haul driver. I put over 10K miles on it in less than 6 months.

My List:

58 SC
58 Panel
64 T-34
65 Type 1 Baja
66 Fastback (waiting its turn in the shop)
69 Fastback
69 Squareback (parts)
71 Fastback Auto (retired and parts)
73 Fastback
75 Super Beetle (parts)
78 Bay Window (needs an interior)
88 VW Fox (needs brakes right now)
04 Single axle car trailer (VW retriever)
05 KIA Sorento SUV (tow vehicle)

Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:45 am

I'd love to have a VW powered trike!!!! A Thing is of my next interest. I do regularly drive my 64 bus and love it!

Get that bay and don't let the split people make fun of you:) You will enjoy it I'm sure!!!!

Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:11 am

Just in the past 5 years, I have gone through a split window (21W), 2 Eurovan Westys, 1 Vanagon Westy, and have now gone back to my all-time favorite, a Bay Window Westy (in resto).
I loved the splittie, but I found it was more my ego that loved it and not my back and neck when driving... :lol:
The Eurovans had the best highway ride, but with their low ground clearance, sucked if you wanted to go to any primitive campsites. Plus they are a bear to work on yourself.
The Vanagon was probably the best of the three for overall use, but I grew tired of the constant problems I had with mine. Trouble shooting it was no fun.
With all that I decided the Bay was the way for me. I like the ride, like the ground clearance, and best of all, the easiest engine to work on, the upright.
I like the Early Bay also as it as the removable rear apron, which makes for easier engine removal.
I say GO FOR IT! :wink:
During this time, I also drove a restored 67 Beetle, a 65 Beetle, a restored 71 Thing, and a restored 64 Ghia vert. After driving these for a while, I went back to the Squareback as my favorite for a daily. :D

Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:23 am

i just scored a 57' lowlight for my wife but was planning going to look at and possibly buy a 62' DC during the same week. i had to pass on the DC because the ghia was just to good of a deal to pass up. however an early DC is the next vehicle i have in my sights, i thinks its about time that i have a car of my own

Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:29 am

i own a 67 fastback project, and a 92 vw polo coupe, slammed on 13x8 steels with pulled arches 8)

Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:45 am

No offense to all, but I hate bay windows. People will call my 65 square "a grocery getter" but I think bays are the ultimate getter. Not to say I dont like buses- I'll trade two of my cars for a split window any day. Just dont like the bays. Again sorry if I offended.

Outside of my type3 I have a 60 beetle that I am slowly restoring to original. Thats going to be my dream car. I wanta cruise like the old man I am. If I want to go fast, thats what the squareback is for.

My daily driver right now is a 71 ghia- it gets a lot of looks and compliments, but I'm also fixing it daily. uggh!

Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:50 am

Currently, my 'other' VW is an 84 Rabbit.

It's my salt/winter car, so my Square doesn't get any rustier than it already is.
It's a decent car, low maintenence and reliable.
It's disposable, and I don't think I'll miss it when it's rusted out even though I wanted one as a kid.
Some water-cooled enthusiasts have given me a hard time about driving a 'Classic' Rabbit as a winter car, but won't pony up to buy it off me.

My first VW was a Bay Bus, you'll never see me knocking them or calling someone a 'traitor' for owning one.
They're great vehicles and serve a purpose that a Type 3 simply can't.
I put a removable camper kit in it, lived in it while saving money to buy my first house, and drove it everywhere for several years.
I liked it much more than the 1960 Sundial I owned: much more comfortable and drivable.
Progressively refined, Yo.
I shouldn't have sold it when the transmission went out; but, at the time, I had no real need for it.

As much as I like my Square(s), the best VW I've owned has been a 71 Beetle.
No rust, never left me stranded or required roadside fixes, and I only had to do routine maintenence.
Best $500 I've ever spent on a car, and one of the few I've sold for a profit.
Since we're bending ourselves over to have our asses paddled in this thread, I'll say it:
I'd rather own that 71 Beetle than any Type 34 :shock: , or any VW I've owned before or since.

I will own a Thing one day. The minimalist approach really appeals to me.

The Type 14 Karmann Ghias are beautiful cars, as well.
They have the elegance and curves of an Italian, with the brains and muscle of a German.
Sounds like the perfect woman.

Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:02 am

BSQUARE wrote: Currently, my 'other' VW is an 84 Rabbit.

It's my salt/winter car, so my Square doesn't get any rustier than it already is.
It's a decent car, low maintenence and reliable.
It's disposable, and I don't think I'll miss it when it's rusted out even though I wanted one as a kid.
Some water-cooled enthusiasts have given me a hard time about driving a 'Classic' Rabbit as a winter car, but won't pony up to buy it off me.

My first VW was a Bay Bus, you'll never see me knocking them or calling someone a 'traitor' for owning one.
They're great vehicles and serve a purpose that a Type 3 simply can't.
I put a removable camper kit in it, lived in it while saving money to buy my first house, and drove it everywhere for several years.
I liked it much more than the 1960 Sundial I owned: much more comfortable and drivable.
Progressively refined, Yo.
I shouldn't have sold it when the transmission went out; but, at the time, I had no real need for it.

As much as I like my Square(s), the best VW I've owned has been a 71 Beetle.
No rust, never left me stranded or required roadside fixes, and I only had to do routine maintenence.
Best $500 I've ever spent on a car, and one of the few I've sold for a profit.
Since we're bending ourselves over to have our asses paddled in this thread, I'll say it:
I'd rather own that 71 Beetle than any Type 34 :shock: , or any VW I've owned before or since.

I will own a Thing one day. The minimalist approach really appeals to me.

The Type 14 Karmann Ghias are beautiful cars, as well.
They have the elegance and curves of an Italian, with the brains and muscle of a German.
Sounds like the perfect woman.

Ahem. Buying/ owning a Bay Bus is one thing. SELLING an early- early Notch to buy one is quite another.

Right, notchboy? :D

Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:06 am

I've owned all types of VWs. My preferred is the Type 3 line. Second is Bay Bus. Splitties are cooler, but the ride positively sucks compared to a Bay in my opinion. Plus, Bays are laid out far more practical than a Split.

Non air- cooled fave would have to be a '90 or '91 Vanagon Westfalia Syncro, hands- down.

Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:35 am

Here the list of air-cooled cars I've owned in the past:

73 Super Beetle
73 Porsche 914
73 Thing
64 Beetle

And now I own a 70 Notchback.

There's a real nice 73 Single Cab for sale locally here in Italy. I'm tempted to get it, but I can only take one vehicle back with me to the States. Plus, I'm at my limit with two registered vehicles.

Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:45 am

ive had a few westies, bugs and a ghia. right now aside from the 71 squareback, i have a clean 73 Thing.

heres my square

Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:31 pm

I'm an equal opportunity offender. I drive them all.

1971 full custom super with RLR 6 point cage, 2109. 133hp 145ft/pnds . It's my first restoration. I've owned the car for 15 years now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXg9z3bngIE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEW28YxCURM

1964 type 1 vert with matching Allstate single wheel

1956 Judson supercharged Strato Silver type 1 - unrestored

1964 Variant S - unrestored with Heilite single wheel.

1963 Rag Beetle with Speedwell sprint motor - under restoration

1984 Vanagon Westy

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Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:40 pm

I'm only 20 and as I'm sure most of you know I've owned several VW's since I was 15. At one point I had a 69 Bug, a 69 fastback, a 70 KG coupe, a 73 square, my 71 square, and a watercooled 97 Jetta.

Well when I went to college I culled the herd, and I was left with my 71 square and my 70 Ghia, which some of you saw me rock at the classic this year. It has the engine and tranny that my dad and I built together for my bug when I was 15, and so that bit of history and effort we did together is still within the family the way I wanted it to be.

As for my recent 73 Bus bent -- I def. still enjoy my square the most. It's by far and away my favorite car for a variety of reasons, but like Jason I needed something to haul people and stuff around in, and the square as awesome and as big as it is STILL couldn't fit everything/everyone. Now I have the three and they fit the purposes I need them for. The Ghia is mostly just a fun cruiser, a car I can pick up a girl in for a date or something and generate some conversation. It's also a car my mom and dad love, and I fully expect that once I graduate to do a body off restoration and give it to them to enjoy. (I also plan on modifying it for an automatic transmission).

The square and bus fullfill my needs for the forseeable future, but I recently came into contact with a guy who is trying to unload a few T3's on me and I may take up his offer on it, since one is very special (when the time comes, I'll let you guys know... especially the 1500 club :wink: )

For now, I gotta figure out the deal with the engine I built for the square, and finish off the interior. Then it will be my show stopping baby and daily driver/commuter, while the Bus will be for hauling or when I'm driving a bunch of people.

Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:04 pm

i really enjoy having my t3's, currently i have a 68 square and fasty but while looking for a house to buy i came across this early bay 8) well the price was so right 8) and now it's mine. i can only drive one at a time but it's nice to have a choice.

Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:24 pm

Tram wrote:
Ahem. Buying/ owning a Bay Bus is one thing. SELLING an early- early Notch to buy one is quite another.

Right, notchboy? :D

When youve owned only cool early T3s like I have then you realize youve had the "ultimate T3" a couple times over. Im content with the 63 and the ghia. Ive gone camping in the promised land and helped lead trips for others to enjoy it. 8) the ghia will be alot better once someone works on it-right tram?

Wait till I dive into my stash and release some rare goodies back in the water to help fund a bay :roll:

Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:32 pm

notchboy wrote: Wait till I dive into my stash and release some rare goodies back in the water to help fund a bay :roll:

Jason, you are a "funny son of a gun"! :lol: :lol: Bring that stuff on! :wink:

Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:42 pm

I do not if it be of a huge interest, but like to help Father get his '64 Beetle on the road. Once I got the Squareback, I am spoiled. The ride is so nice, more room, and feels more comfortable.

The car of my dreams is the type 3 Ghia Hatchback. No way to create it, so only a beautiful type 3 to admire.

Another one is of my design. Tube chassis with fiberglass body, styled after racers of the fifties but a hatchback. To use a five speed transmission and type four engine mounted mid, with a type 3 front beam.

See a theme? It turns out I am a hatchback person, and it was my Brother that pointed it out. I also own a Ford ZXW SE station wagon as a daily which works, but the Squareback can haul more. Wish the Squareback stay running.

Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:17 pm

I have a buggy in addition to the squareback...

here is my squareback..

Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:32 pm

For me, the past included buying too many cars that needed too much work, and fantasies of actually completing them.

Currently my heard consists of:
'70 westy (back-up driver/ weekender/ wife loves to drive it/ minivan)
'73 super (first car, drove it in high school- needs work)
'61 ragtop (future resto-custom)
'67 window bus (fire damage, needs everything, but the price was right)
'68 square daily driver.

After 20+ years of my own vw's, and my granddad driving them for as long as I can remember, I still love them all.

I am a type non-specific vw guy.