Tell me about the 71 squareback.

[zoti]

I’m looking at a 71 squareback for a possible build.

What do I need to know about it? It’s supposed to be a 1 owner car so I’m hoping most of it is there.

I own a 79 beetle so I’m familiar with the L-jet FI engines. Not sure what the 71 had.

Where are the common rust locations on those?

[Multi69s]

Rust locations are pretty much the same as a Type 1. In a FI car, my greatest concerns are

1) How does it run?
2) What condition is the wiring in?

After 40 years, the wiring in the engine compartment is probably brittle due to many heat cycles, that's kind of a given. Look at the wiring as much as you can, under the dash, in the trunk and engine compartment. If you see a bunch of mismatched crimped wires, that can be a concern. Just like a bug, check all tie rod ends, ball joints and CV boots for splits. One good thing about the Type 3s, is that they don't have the death foam syndrome like the type 1s
_________________
69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

[Bobnotch]

Look in the stickies at the top of the page, as it does a great job of describing where to look for rust. It also points out some of the differences of the 71 from say a 70 or a 72.

Unfortunately, 71 and later type 3s DO suffer from the "foam of death" in the rear posts of Squarebacks, so keep that in mind, as it was the reason I cut the roof off a 71 Square I had.
Type 3s used D-Jet FI, and Ray can walk you thru it, if you don't find what you're looking for in the FI sticky.

Ideally what you really want is; the most complete, original, unmolested car you can afford. It may be a 1 owner, but the PO might have gotten creative in his repairs.
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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

[Multi69s]

I thought the death foam was a Type 1 deal. You learn something new everyday.
_________________
69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

[Slow 1200]

71 has one some one year-only parts like the ignition switch, which will fail (unless it's already burnt out), my 71 fastback is euro-spec so no FI for me, sorry, but I think there's some differences between the years, not sure which evolution of the D-Jet the 71s got

[KTPhil]

'71 Fastback death foam removed: