Quote:
Originally Posted by 123boy
Not really related, but wanted to "chime in". The first car I bought with my own money, and the genesis of my interest in German cars, was a 1971 beige VW Squareback, manual, with Bosch Electronic F.I.(in 1971!!!) Was in my late teens, purchased from original owner (husband and wife, native German, his wife drove Audi's) for $100. I can't recall the mileage, but it wasn't that high.
That car was amazing! Drove it EVERYWHERE! Sadly, being of "rustbelt" origin, the unibody was rusting away behind the front wheels, in the upper fender area, fenders, too. Also the front bumper mounts turned to dust eventually. Not before I got a bunch of years out of it, though.
I was a dumb kid and didn't know how to "save" her and had no money. Bought 2 front fenders from VW (imported from Germany at that time) and had a guy weld some plate for the front bumper. I was outraged at the price of the fenders (about $100 ea), but that translates to about $650 ea, in todays dollars!!
Good memories, good times in that car!! I guess many would agree: If I only knew then what I know now. (or, maybe just 1% of it...lol)
|
Thanks and appreciation for sharing this, these kind of stories encourages me to keep my Squareback despite the grief I get from family.
The Type 3 was the nicest offering by Volkswagen, especially when in August 1967 launched the 1968 with Bosch D-Jetronic FI, the first mass produced vehicle to have FI. It still had the body on frame of the Type 1, the long block was the same, however, far more cabin and luggage space, plus the front suspension was fully independent.
My Squareback is a 1971 Sunroof, Marina Blau, and still has her FI. The first owner was a German who did a tourist delivery and had a one year work contract at Bell Laboratories, first in Maryland and then San Diego. My Dad's University friend Sue had her 38 years until I bought the Squareback. Being it lived on the coast and has a sunroof, it will need the lower portion of the front pillar replaced plus both rockers (I have the sheet metal). So, I understand they do easily rust, especially exposed to salt like ours were.
And that was a lot of money for fenders, obviously there was at least an appreciation for her. I gladly pay that to get the Beetle a set of NOS German fenders, super hard finding used and most are beat to snot. Maybe even a set of front fenders for the Squareback, both have the infamous rust at the top back corners (replacements so better than what was there).