Mr. & Mrs. Henry Oppenheim and their '71 Squareback.

[Westfabulous]

Awesome! Incredible! Fabulous find there Kirky. What a beautiful machine. Type 3 squarebacks are my my second favorite next to Bay Window buses. I found a '72 squareback in a field about 10 years ago. Sadly, it is now in my field and too far down the list that I will never restore it. I hope to part it out this summer. All the best brother; does this mean we are going to lose you from the Bay Window forum?
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"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today."

[sub-hatchtim]

would you buff out the paint and post pics already
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58' pg/sg silo fridge westy
58 Dove blue singlecab
76 911S

[Kirk]

[supaninja]

Kirk, I don't know if you already joined the rest of your ilk http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392135&highlight=toob
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http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/chucky1974/ninja.gif

Nick
Megasquirted Type 4 powered Notch http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427890&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Blog of Doom http://supaninjanick.wordpress.com/

[notchboy]

[Kirk]

I decided I would interject my various workings on the car into the main story line here as well, so as to keep all my meanderings in one place. Hope no one objects. I'll get back to the main story soon enough.

Okay, piddled a little this weekend. First, someone asked for radio pics. All I had was my iphone. Sorry.

Second, you sure this console is original? Or is the bottom added on?

Anyway. Drained the the tank. Smelled mostly of varnish, but no rust. That I can see. Fuel lines on the pump are cracked and mostly ruined. Not real sure how all that really works. Can someone direct me to a photo, or something that shows exactly how the fuel lines are plumbed under the tank? Looks crazy under there, I dont see it in the Bentley. I may have over looked it.

Anywhoo, just sorting the car out, it is unmolested other than really little things. The first of which, shocked the almighty poop out of me. LITERALLY. Apparently, at one point in its life, someone (read that as HENDRICKSON AUTOMOTIVE CENTER in sulphur springs) was dumb enough to wire in a hot wire switch:

Because the damn ignition switch has a short in it. Thats it. You can turn it 3/4th of the way, and it engages. Full turn, nothing. So instead of igntion switch, I get that, something that my right ankle/back shin/calf area will not soon forget. YES ITS LIVE. Luckily enough, it looks simple enough to remove. The wiring isnt hacked or anything. O thank heaven for 7-11. Or something. Anywhoo, out of curiousity, I tried to start it. The squareback started and ran (choppily) with a shot of gas down the throttle body after very little persuasion. When I touched the gas pedal, it was stuck. Solid. Car began to scream and belch carbon. Key off. Still cant breathe, and everything smells of black soot everywhere I go. I shant be trying that again until I get everything else sorted. Curiousity, satitated. Hmm. Carpets damp under the mats. Appears that water wasnt draining correctly, and leaked down on the pedal cluster. 1.5 hours, tons of PB Blaster and some elbow grease, the pedals all swing free. YAY me. PB Blaster is some amazing stuff. Also amazing is how theres no pan rust at all yet the pedals were frozen, carpets are dampish and I can see were there was water in the battery tray at one time. Crazy that. Glad I got it when I did. Removed the crummy window tint. Discovered the windows dont like rolling down. Not gonna force that one. Replaced craptacular rear tires with new ones. Passenger rear one still went flat, isnt seating. Hmm. Didnt do much this weekend. Just went through it seeing where I am.

Current issues:
* Fuel pump not turning on
* Windows arent wanting to roll down (?)
* Ignition switch is bad
* Passenger rear tire wont seal

Not much thus far issue wise. Time to order some parts. Any tricks for reviving fuel pumps I should know about before I drop serious coin on one?
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MAKE FORUMS GREAT AGAIN

Bear
Coble
Super
Oppenheim

[Brent]

[sub-hatchtim]

whats with the switch on the back of the seat
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58' pg/sg silo fridge westy
58 Dove blue singlecab
76 911S

[ataraxia]

[notchboy]

I remember when those Blaupunks were cheap (that specific one) an Emden I belive. Seen lots of them in VWs over the years and passed by them. Ive owned 2 in the past and have since sold them. Last Sun I shelled out 100 bucks for a slightly different one. Different in the face plate and knobs.

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[Kirk]

July first, 1971.

While its owners were comfy on the plane home, Henry and Elizabeths Square was being inspected by the COMEX crew. Interesting to me that is when Henry was presented with all his shipping options:

He chose the most expensive option, ($220) complete with Steamcleaning, marine insurance, and no deductable. That form is super cool. You go through, pick your car, pick your freight company, list your options, and get the total. Easy peasy. The shipping guys note the only damage is a chip to the windshield, which is still in the car today.

By 07.03.1971, the dock workers had the car cleaned, and loaded, ready to go.

The square was scheduled for the next ship due in, the M/S Holdenrecht.

Sidenote because I love naval history:

The M/S Holdenrecht was the third Holenrecht ship to be produced from the Wilton Fijenoord, Schiedam, Netherlands yard. The first was sunk, refloated, run aground, repaired, turned into a fishing vessel, then warship before being destroyed in 1924. The second was a fishing boat that was confiscated by German invading forces and turned into a minesweeper.It was sunk in 1944 by an allied attack on france, but was later refloated and repaired, and worked as a freighter until being destroyed in 1965 after working under the name Paul M. The third Holenrecht, was built in 1958 and served as a freight transport until being destroyed in Spain in 1983.

And now you know.

The M/S Holenrecht left in the early hours of July 4th for America with The Oppenhiems squareback on board.
_________________
MAKE FORUMS GREAT AGAIN

Bear
Coble
Super
Oppenheim

[Tram]

I just love this kind of stuff. If yours isn't the most fully documented Type 3 on here, I'll be surprised.
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Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.

[Bobnotch]

Very cool. I like the added info on the ships name too. That's the kind of stuff you just don't see any more.
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Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120

[notchboy]

[MonT3]

Thanks for another glimpse into your square. Really awesome read!
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MonT3
67 Squareback
64 Squareback
63 Squareback
Engine rebuild
Trailer rebuild

[Tram]

[notchboy]

Kirk you going to flat bed scan them bad boys? Im in the middle of scanning my Type 3 MIRA test analysis. Sucks doing 74 pages of this thing, but when its done it will blow some socks off.

I would love to have scans of all that propaganda paperwork


MMMmmmm Propaganda

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[FergU]

This is possibly the most interesting Type 3 story I have heard.
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1962 Type 1
1963 Type 14 - Karmann Ghia "Sadie" (Restoration progress - http://vwsexysadie.wordpress.com)
1972 Type 3 - Squareback "Joseph" (Restoration Progress - http://jpdproject.wordpress.com/)

[Kirk]

In a letter postmarked 07.16.1971:

Henry and Elizabeth were notified that their square was arriving on the Holenrecht in three days. The letter advises them to bring a copy of the comercial invoice, and to be prepared to pay $20.53 ($15 for documentation and $5.53 for handling charges). It further warns that they will owe approximately $90 in Duty charges as well. On the rear of this letter, it advises Elizabeth (interestingly, it doesnt mention MR. Oppenhiem, just MRS.) that she will have to go to the dock office for a service order, then to customs to clear the car. She is advised that the car will not have gasoline in it, and she will need to arrive with gasoline and be prepared to hook up her own battery.

Now, the Department of the Treasury Bureau of Customs form:

Says they owe Customs $46.97 in duty charges. (3.5% of the $1342 declared value)


And the actual shipping form: (Which shows a document fee of $15.00)

The M/S Holdenrecht arrived late on July 19th, and the Square was unloaded to a staging area on the 20th. All the other paperwork is signed by Henry on the 23rd. I was curious why they let their square languish in Customs care for three days, so I looked at the 1971 calender online. It appears that the 23rd is a Friday, so perhaps they wanted to be able to drive home over the weekend.

When Henry and Elizabeth signed for their car, it notes that there is "red paint on front floor rug". Since it wasnt there when it was cleaned and loaded, one can only assume whomever unloaded it must have had red paint on his boots. It appears Henry wasnt happy with this, as explained later.

Before lunchtime on Friday, July 23rd, Henry and Elizabeth had been reunited with their beloved Square after 21 days and over 5000 miles at sea.
_________________
MAKE FORUMS GREAT AGAIN

Bear
Coble
Super
Oppenheim

[Kirk]

Henry left the Port, and with the Square still bearing its Zoll plates and with just over 3227 showing on the odometer, Henry and Elizabeth went to (I assume lunch) and then immediately to the Norman Scott Volkswagen dealership. I say I assume lunch, because the square was picked up before lunchtime, with 3227 miles on it, and was checked into the dealership at 130pm showing 03254 miles. The dealership and port arent that far apart.

Henry and Elizabeth had the oil changed, and the car lubed for $7.22.

AND:

They bought front and rear embossed floor mats for the Square. $15.96

I assume that was because of the red paint. They are still in the car today.

The Oppenhiems left Houston and headed for home in their boat fresh freshly oiled, lubed and floor matted Square.

August 11th, Henry and Elizabeth recieve a letter from the IRS stating that their "foreign made motor vehicle" was liable for excise taxes. The form states that the car was valuated at $1342, plust 162 freight and insurance fees + 46.97 in import duties already paid, plus the $15 documentation totals $1565.97 in taxable items. The letter included a statement for $109.62 due. It notes at the bottom that the amount must be postmarked by October 19st, 1971. This is important for later.

In a letter and check dated 10.19.1971, the Oppenhiems paid the $109.62 (waiting to the very last minute) making the Square theirs free and clear. In the second picture, you can see a copy of their check.


Unrelated/partially related story:
My boss and I went back to the County I bought the car from, visiting some of his old co-workers. He mentioned off hand to one older woman who worked for him there, that I bought a VW in her home town. She asked who owned it, and when I asked if she knew anyone with the last name Oppenhiem, she looked at me and blinked for several seconds. Then she said: "You didnt buy Henrys station wagon did you???" I advised her that I did and showed her a picture on my phone. She squealed, and told me how she used to play in it, and how Elizabeth used to drive her to Elementary school every morning in it. She then unprevoked, stated "He babied that car! He worked on it every single weekend and was always waxing and cleaning, and doing something to it! I've never seen anyone who worked on their car like he did."

I thought that was neat.
_________________
MAKE FORUMS GREAT AGAIN

Bear
Coble
Super
Oppenheim