Type 3/ Type 2 decision to make

[Jetfxr69]

I am headed from NH to Georgia to see an old friend and go parts picking out on his farm. I have several busses and a squareback out on his farm, and the availibility of dozens of other rigs from which to pick parts for my 2 busses. Im bringing a trailer and coming home with something on it, just havent decided what yet.

The grand prize will be this.

Unfortunately its not mine, and he would have to let me have it. Not an easy task for an 85 year old guy who has been piling up stuff for 70 years.

The decision is whether I bring my old squareback or bus home to NH.
I already have busses and motors about here, and wouldnt mind changing gears and getting the square going again.

Problem is, that it was put out in the woods by me 30 years ago and sometime between now and then, a tree fell on it.

Obviously a big project, but its all original and the engine is still in it. Will need to see, but im assuming the pan is gone due to it sitting so low. But Georgia clay is an amazing undercoating.

The other trailer queen would be the 72 bus that has good og tin.

I posed the question here as i havent tinkered with the square in 30 years and am curious where this one sits among y’alls opinions. Is it worth saving, even with the roof damage, or is my time better served elsewhere? Again, the splitty is first grab, but thats probably not gonna happen.

Theres also a fastback out there that may be available as well. Not mine, but might be obtainable.

Thanks for any opinions on the worthiness of the square. Not doing any of these as an investment or flip, just personal enjoyment.
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You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. Zappa

‘77 westy Seamus
‘76 tintop Crusher
‘77 westy The Judge
‘72 tintop bastard westy Hudson

[andybla]

i would go for the splitty first, after that the fastback, squareback, bay in that order.

I would choose the fastback because it's an early and i like the rear lights better and the overall shape, but the squareback is also very nice and spacious offcourse ...

[Jetfxr69]

Fastback is not mine, but may be worthy of asking. Will have to evaluate its condition more as well.

_________________
You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. Zappa

‘77 westy Seamus
‘76 tintop Crusher
‘77 westy The Judge
‘72 tintop bastard westy Hudson

[BSQUARE]

Hate to say it, but both the Square and Fastback are parts donors, at best.

While both are repairable, it'd be years of work and far more money than they'd be worth in the end. The Fastback looks to need the entire lower portion of the body replaced (rockers are shot, and there's rust working its way through the rear quarter from behind). Repairing the damage to the Square, while possible, is only the beginning of bringing it back from the dead. And that's all before you do the mechanical repairs and completely gut the interior - who knows what sorts of critters have made it their home (and toilet) out in the woods for decades.

If I were looking for another Square or a Fastback, I'd choose a better starting point than either of those two. I'd have a hard time justifying the cost of the trailer rental and gas to drag either of them home, even if they were free.

The 72 Bus is likely the most viable of the bunch. Looks like it needs little body work; so it'd mainly be mechanical, finding and repairing all the chewed-through wires, and replacing the missing pieces.

The split-window Bus looks like it'd be a pretty big undertaking to resurrect, but also has the best parts availability of the four.
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1988 Ford Festiva L
1965 Honda 50 "Super Cub"
2016 Miami Sun Trike

[Bobnotch]

Having done a few type 3s and other vehicles, I'd have to agree with above. All of them WILL require a ton of work and money, and that's doing it yourself. The late bus looks to be in the best shape for trying to return to the road.
I guess it's really up to you to decide where you want to put your time and money.
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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

[Jetfxr69]

Understood guys, thanks. I guess im inclined to get a type 3 going, cause as rare as busses are on the road, I NEVER see a 3 out. Maybe its just because where im located. Ocasionally we will see a bus or two per year, but thats about it.
_________________
You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. Zappa

‘77 westy Seamus
‘76 tintop Crusher
‘77 westy The Judge
‘72 tintop bastard westy Hudson

[old_man]

If that square or fastback were free I would still turn it down. I would instead buy one of the projects cars I see for sale on the classifieds.

[Rome]

Your old square's roof could be bent back to reasonable, usable shape with a hydraulic jack and 4x4 wood posts. Once you have the rain gutters reshaped, start on the large dent in the center of the roof. Use a larger piece of wood going across the vertical wood post to make a "T" and slowly work the dent out starting at the outer edges. Or lie across the front seats, wear thick-soled work boots, and press against the roof from the inside with your feet to work the dent out. Also work from the outside edges of the dent inwards.

Before you start- pressure wash & bleach the outside, then let it air out on hot dry days before you start working on/removing the interior. Then repeat. All fuel hoses including those on the FI system will need replacement, all of the rubber brake hoses also.

Will be a heck of a lot of work, but the end result is having one of your cars from your youth back on the road. The Type 3 is an excellent highway/travel car.

[Jetfxr69]