The lack of views on this video is depressing. Excellent video.

My husband and I owned a 71 square back for our first car after marrying in 1975. We bought it used and drove it until 1995. We’re in Texas and our car had the factory air conditioner. Our vw mechanic tried to get us to disconnect the ac every time we brought it in. He said it was too hard on the engine. Our square back was the same color as the one in the video Clementine Orange. I still miss her. Thanks for the video. I loved that car.

I drove a friend's Squareback once. Apparently his brakes on the left side weren't working. I was on the highway, hit the brakes, and it changed lanes to the right. Yeesh.

Thanks for the coverage of my favorite VW, the VW Type 3. However, I'd like to make a few additions/corrections: The VW Type 3s were the first cars to offer ELECTRONIC fuel injection as a mass produced factory option. FI was introduced as an option for the '68 Type 3s, in the fall of 1967. This was Bosch D-jetronic FI, which was taken up by other makers starting in 1970. D-jet FI lasted into 1976, but was replaced by K-jet and then L-jetronic FI, the latest versions of which are now current. Given how FI has almost completely replaced carbs, the VW Type 3s were the beta test cars, and the grandfathers of the fuel systems on almost everything on the road today. From '61 thru '73, VW built Type 3s with single carbs and dual carbs, adding the FI option in '68, although only the FI versions were imported into the US from '68-on. The first year for the late body style (large square bumpers, long nose, large taillights) was 1970. The wipers switched sides and the dash was redesigned for the 1971 model year. Air conditioning was never a factory option; it was always dealer installed, which entailed butchering the body and compromising the engine cooling tin. I understand that our warming climate makes it seem like AC is essential, but it never was, back in those days. The steel sunroof is a highly desirable factory option these days. There weren't that many of them sold. Lots of Type 3s still around today have the factory 3-speed automatic transmission. While most of us would rather have the manual 4-speed, the ATs have been extremely reliable, and the top speeds are about the same. There were FOUR VW Type 3 body styles: Fastback, Squareback, Notchback and Type 3 Karmann Ghia. The Notch and Type 3 Ghia were never sold in the US. The Ghia you're so familiar with was the Type 1 Ghia, built on a Beetle pan. The Type 3 Ghia, built on a Type 3 pan, was a much prettier car, rare these days. You suprised me with the 52 HP statement, but a check of a '73 Owner's Manual confirms this: 52 HP at 4000 RPM and 77 ft-lbs at 2200. Oddly, my '72 Owners Manual only gives the torque as 86.8 at 2800; no mention of HP. All the earlier FI years are called out as 65 HP. I've owned all those years, except for '70, and never noticed any significant difference in the engines. This video raised a lot of interest on the Type 3 email list and the only explanation for the sudden drop in HP in '73 (and perhaps '72) is that this may have been due to a change in measurement: HP at the drive wheels as opposed to HP at the flywheel. The top speed mentioned in the Owners Manual is quite conservative. I've owned 10 of these cars, both MT and AT, over the years, and each of them has been over 100 mi/hr at some time. Never for long, and it takes awhile to get there, but they can do it. Thanks again for the coverage,

My first car...yellow...71’.....God bless you for the great review of an amazing all rounder.

This is a unique car. These are decent cars. Frankly, many of us should thank not only Ralph Nader, but a lot of others along the way, because otherwise we would not be alive.

Back in the 80s I traveled and lived out of a 67 Squareback. That thing held the road amazingly well and was a blast to drive. I called it the poor man’s Porsche. I also drove it off-road a lot doing forestry work. There were times I was the only vehicle to get through a bad section of logging road, leaving lifted four-wheel-drive, pick ups stuck in the mud. Snow was never a problem. Gas mileage was upper 20s lower 30s on a good day. With all but the driver seat removed, a specially configured interior including full length beds, curtains, and a Coleman stove it was an excellent mobile living vehicle. An idea popular now considered insane back then.😅

Gorgeous ride ♥️ so what it takes 18 seconds to 60mph it's not about the speed it's about the smiles 🙂 mph.

I had a 71 Squareback, I loved it! I put a 1776 cc engine in it, duel exaust, mirror style sunroof, surf racks, and red paint with gold flakes in the paint. I had it from 1988 through 1995. I still have dreams about that car, always going down to get some surf on the Central Coast of California. Cassette player had the Surf Punks, Beach Boys, Run DMC, and Social Distortion to name a few. "I used to be cool".

Had new in 1971..My first new car. I truly loved my VW. Kept till 1981 , bought a new Rabbit.

My 1969 Squareback - mechanical FI - got 36 mpg ALWAYS - 70mph hiway, in stop and start city traffic, everywhere everything. It was bored out to 1850cc and otherwise 100% stock original.

My aunt had one. We had 2 bugs and a camperbus that was two tone green with a blue stripe around the middle from factory. It looked like an Easter egg.

I own an original 1971 squareback. Runs and drives Love this car.

Yes, nice vid on a car that doesn't get much light. Corrections I caught - no mention of the Type 34 Ghia. Production of the T3 from 61 to 65 did not have the Fastback but did have the Ghia till 69. The Fastback was meant for the American market and brought on in 66. Second, the body change for the front trunk - up to 69 is the older style 70 to 73 is the boat nose.

I like the insight about the suspension being sophisticated for its time and price bracket. I learned to drive on the the family 1970 VW Bus. When we switched to a new '73 Squareback it felt like a sports car. It wasn't just ~low to the road, it *felt* low to the road. Now I know it wasn't just an illusion in comparison to the Bus.

Nice video. The rims have to be originally in silk silver - not glossy. If you change that the car will have a nicer, original appearance. The sun-roof was very rare. I drove this from 15 yrs till I was 21. The 54 PS version was tricky to service because the 2 carburetors needed to be synchronized: not easy with ca. 8 worn joints .... Fuel consumption was 12ltr/100km which was far too high but cant be avoided, even not with excellent service....Fuel Injection was not ordered in Germany but in the UK. .....your vid brings back memories.....

That's odd! I used to own this type 3 back in the 1970s. It was a very good vehicle to be fair. Slow but steady.

I remember this car vividly growing up as a kid 👍

I owned one, and just one time trying to fix it- I sold it! This would be good for an EV conversion

Thanks! I loved my '73 square back! Traded it in for a bus, when my family grew to four kids.

My late father used to have one back in the 70s and it always broke down because of over heating, due to insufficient cooling air which also affected the early VW Bus.

A lot of tech from this one also went into my first car, a 914 2.0 VW/Porsche. I love these old flat fours. The sound is unique.

I've been driving through winter with my Squareback sitting on Power King Extra Traction tires and OH my God, its like 4 wheel drive. I took it up an ice covered logging road the other day and barely spun a tire

Watched this for inspiration. I have a 1971 Squareback that i am rebuilding. Cork leatherette and i believe it to be Kansas beige on the dash but somewhere up the line somebody painted it a gnarly yellow. But i love it.

My 69 Square has been in the garage and Non-op since the start of the pandemic(save money on registration and insurance). Came close to selling a couple times however, something keeps telling me to hang on to her. Watching this really makes me want to register it and start driving it again. Cheers .

I finally bought a superb condition squareback in the 1990s and loved it but despite brand new replacement engine lid seal and rubber and carpet on top the engine smell was noticeable when driving. The fastback would be the one i would want today.

I had to sell mine the car aged 40 because of my disability unable to work on my fastback that my dad bought in 74 it’s the only classic I’d dive given a chance. I couldn’t watch anything Volkswagen related for years I was so heartbroken. So versatile great though floods put a 412 engine in later teen years but would have an original no mods and be happily evermore. So many great memories as a child and later as an adult. Great to see a restored 311 although I’d like the 312 being from UK. Great video many thanks

My first car in 1985 was the family '71 Squareback. My father had even bought the upgraded option of a Blaupunkt FM radio!! Unfortunately, after 15 years of winters in Ontario, Canada, the frame rusted out and the struts came through the rear floor. Would love to find one again someday. Driving around even with the low power was a lot of fun. As he mentions in the video, this car was like a Subaru in Oregon. Funny enough, that is what my father replaced this car with and he and I still drive Subies today!

I have a 71 automatic that it restored recently. And yeah its slow but its very solid and stable, it forces you to drive well and safely. (and surfers love her)

I had a 71 squareback it was a great car really fun to drive and with tons of cargo space. It was great on the snow and it was fun with the windows down during summer. That entire air cooled VW era was cool for sure.

The car that saved my life due to its solid built. I loved it.

Rear engine wagon, amazing! This car needs a true successor but even the new beetle is front engine FWD... Is this what progress is?

Another great video. You really are ideally suited to this kind of review. I believe my mother and I looked at these in 1972 but she thought it wasn't as practical as the 510 wagon as it had 4 passenger doors and was more practical for 3 kids and a dog. Her 510 did us a great service with little fuss. I would love for you to find an original 510 wagon to review. Everyone is all about the 2 door versions. Anyway, good stuff friend.

My German American grandparents had a light blue colored one. The motor in the back kept the back seat warmer. The St Christopher statue on the dashboard and the Rosary wrapped around the visor. A shrine to German Catholics.

Very interesting video. My only experience with a Type 3 was a 73 Slant Back that belonged to the mother of a friend. The car drove well, even with 8 teenagers crammed in it. We had 10 in a 75 Dart Swinger that night. 18 people and 2 cars to go see Rocky Horror Picture Show. What sticks in my mind is what was laughingly call a heater. The heat from the engine was, to be kind, pitiful. The air for the "defroster" was unheated, so was pretty useless. The gas heater was as hot as a furnace when on. It was on or off, nothing in between, and if you did turn it on, it had to run for a minimum of 5 minutes, like it or not, or there was the risk of it exploding. At least I fit in it, unlike the Type 1.

Great video, my dad bought one new in 1971 green in color, was a manual with a/c and rear defogger, when i turned 17 in 86 my dad handed it down to me, learned to drive a manual in it, also drove it my senior year in high school, shortly after that car was totaled parked outside our house, wish i still had it, thanks for the review and memories.

I had one of these after my first beetle. I do miss it. It was almost exactly like this guy's, but red and no sunroof. And, my insulation on the engine deck lid was shinier. Many fond memories in that car with the back seat folded down.

Great video. I've always been intrigued by these. The casual "Folksfagen" is not easy to pull off.

We had a white VW Squareback growing up in the early 70s. Great car. We ran the ever living hell out of that thing and it kept going. I could the fold the seats down and load a snapper riding lawn more into the back, so that I could mow our church lawn, my grandmother's lawn and a few other lawns in the neighborhood. That car served us well for sure. I would love to have one.

I had a Fastback 71 model beautifully made car, lovely to drive and it was an Automatic! Good looking machine!

I’ve owned a type 1, type 2, type 3 and type 4. More recently a Caddy and now own a Touran

My very first automobile was a V W bug in Germany., of which I managed to bring a later model to America. Later I purchased a V W Fastback in America. Loved my V Ws

I have my grandpa's 1970 in the same color. He changed the engine to a older one that is carbureted so it would be easier to work on.

My family had a 1970 Squareback automatic. 65 horsepower total. It couldn't get out of its own way. And it would never start on a cold morning.

Extremely happy to see the retro type 3 VW. My dad had one way back in the mid 80's. I still would love to own one. Pls help me find one in India.

My family had one of these. They bought it in Cyprus in around '73. This car saved my life. I was an 8 year old child at the time, and I was packing up the car to get out of the city during a supposed ceasefire, as the Turkish military had invaded the island. The ceasefire was shaky, and as I was putting something in the car, there was a shot. I felt that the bullet didn't miss me by much, and I dived into the back of the car and lay there shaking. I don't know how long I was there, but when I finally emerged, the shooter had gone. In terms of the demographic who bought the car, my dad worked in the British Intelligence Service

That was a lovely video! Nice classic and still affordable.- Great idea MotoMan! From this area VW I love the SP2 the most. A really cool looking design in my opinion. - I also love the type 181 ( I think in the US they call it "Thing"). More of that content, please!

Affordable, reliable, and practical. Such a contrast to the ubiquitous muscle cars of the era, or the number one seller in those years, the Chevy Impala. Great review Mr. Motoman!

My parents bought a Variant dark metallic green (Estate) VW Type 3 back in 1974 in West Germany. My father got a good price because they were about to bring in the type 4. As a kid ( 7 years old aprox) I could never get over being able to place luggage in the front and back of the car. I also remember the battery starting to boil under the back seat which I was sitting on. Cannot remember what the fault was. It was an interesting concept but one that VW dumped when changing to water cooled Golfs!

Childhood memories :) we had one. And just found that my dad keept the windshield, it's in the attick, it looks intact :) maybe somebody needs it one day LOL. It would be nice to have it transplanted to a car that lives on :)

My dad bought one of these in ‘76 it was a 73 model we had it till 1991 sad that we got rid of it then, great car ours was yellow in colour. Air cooled great car id love to get one now

They added 4.5 inches in 1970, including the Europa bumpers. In 73 they added a bar beneath the front bumper to comply with the 2.5 mph regulation for 73. The Beetle had a similar bar added, called a strap in that case. While the Beetle gained a large 5 mph bumper for 74, Volkswagen couldn't add the same to the Type 3 without ruining the car's looks and decided to end production a year early. Though not as pretty as the 69 and under models, the Type 3 had it's best selling years after the 1970 change, selling the most in 1970 in the states with over 100K models. One in ten Volkswagens sold in the states was a Type 3. The Karmann Ghia received the Europa bumpers in 72; they didn't take away from the looks of the car as drastically as some domestic small car models and again, Volkswagen decided to pull the plug early rather than comply with the 1974 bumper regulations in the states.

My mother had a notchback when I was a kid, loved the sounds and smells of that car. I would like to find one as some of these old cars were dripping in character, a real contrast with most modern cars.

I had a square in red. Bought from my brother in law, and yes he is a professor of anthropology. The CV axels were amazing and really cool machining. Mine had a click from the CV when turning. I tried to fix it and absolutely ruined the drivability. Lesson learned and still kicking myself.

What a cool car. And well presented. Great job.

I was in college in the late 70s and had a green 1970 Squareback. My dad still had his 70 bug. The keys were interchangeable 😮. Not sure why this has gone up in value as it was a miserable car that I don’t miss. But that’s just me. To each their own. Great vid though 😊.

This is one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen in my life

So awesome to see this review - I had this EXACT spec car (color, year, sunroof - everything down to a T). I was working on restoring it with my dad but sold it while I was in college, around 2013 or so - any chance this car came from Oregon? I miss that little car terribly, you can’t beat these awesome old Volkswagens.

Hey George. This review is special for me not because of this specific vehicle but because of one of its competitors that my father drove. He passed away suddenly in the spring of 1969 but he purchased what my mother believes was a 1968 Opel Kadett B sedan to compliment the 1967 Buick Riviera that my parents owned (the Riviera had been a replacement for his original 1963 Riviera, a car I really want to have back). He drove the Kadett until he died and then my mother sold it to one of his friends (another doctor) who drove it for many years. Curiously, it's not the only Kadett B in the family. My aunt (my father's sister) bought a 1971 Kadett B wagon to compliment the gargantuan 1970 Buick Electra 225 she also had at the time. The Electra is gone but the Kadett is still in her garage but it hasn't been moved since 1985. (My aunt is sadly, a serious hoarder and the car is literally buried in stuff). The car I'm told needs a new engine fan and obviously some work after sitting for so long. It has a couple of minor dents, but otherwise is complete. It's certainly is an interesting project car.

Very interesting to learn all this !! I would like to own a fastback some day, and a bus. I'm on my 3rd bug. 😀

Best year squareback 69 old rounded front hood and Fender Style with independent rear suspension introduced in 69 in 70 they squared off the hood an all the lights started getting bigger and uglier

Cat-lady neighbor had one of these. Sat for years when she stopped using it. I do not think I have seen one since the 70s.

My sister and her husband bought a used 72 Fastback in the mid 70s. It was light greenish blue, black interior and 4 speed. It swallowed a valve and broke a piston. My dad repaired it for them, and installed a cool sounding aftermarket exhaust. Shortly later, they traded it in for a new 1978 Ford Fairmont Futura 2002. We also knew a lady who had a fuel-injected 68 Fastback with 4 speed. One day, it stalled on her, and as she reached a service garage for assistance, a motorist informed her "Your car's on fire!" The car burned up, something in the fuel injection believed to be the cause. My dad believed VW's 60s-70s fuel injection to be a faulty fire risk.

Wow that gives memories back - I remember as a kid one of my uncles had one and it was old then! When traveling in Brazil, you can still see them on the road in service today. Great review and time travel - thank you! Are they still around in the US?

My dad purchased 7 Squarebacks in a row in the 60's. He'd buy one European Delivery, drive around Europe for a week or two then ship it to the US. He'd sell his one year old car for near what the dealer was asking for a new one. I have the purchase orders with serial numbers for most of the cars.

Small hatchbacks with fold down rear seats have been ubiquitous for 30+ years but IIRC Volkswagen was way ahead of the curve on this with the Squareback. The Pinto and Dodge Omni, etc came along but had nowhere near the room in back.

One flaw of the Type 3 was the cooling, relying on a pleated rubber connection duct into the rear fan housing. As this was above the exhaust silencer any failure of this rubber duct meant that hot air was drawn in. Don't know if rearranging the rear side tinware (if any exists at the rear of the engine) below the fan housing aperture much like on the 411/412 Varients will go towards solving this issue. Also standard was the dynamo first with 6v electricals. Nowadays I think there's a aftermarket alternator conversion kit available.

ONE OF MY DREAMCARS

Currently shopping for a daily and found a '73 for about $1,500. The tailgate is badly dented, but otherwise it's in great shape. The only thinig holding me back is the lack of power and A/C.

Learned to drive in a 1970 Squareback with 3spd auto!

My Dad had a 65, it had NO trouble following or passing in HW traffic

Very first car that i ever drove. A 1972 green Brazilian model.

I own a classic Volkswagen dealership and I do sell a ton of type 3's This is a very nice y 73' Squareback. However being a 73' squareback it doesn't bring 30k pricing yet. I have a 2 owner 71 Squareback with 57k og miles and looks and drives just as nice as that one and am asking all the money at 16k. Yes the type 3 Squarebacks are becoming more popular. But if someone pays 30k For a mint 73' is definitely spending too much at this point in time. Great video though!

I had a '73 Squareback just like this one, except without the sunroof. Mine was orange, too.

Had a 1972 Orange VW Squareback! Bought in 1973 with about 24K miles on it, hit the jackpot because IT HAD AIR CONDITIONING on it! I think my loan was $2,200 & my payment was $72.46/month & Ins was $22.??/month, I was in an upstairs apt paying $58 month in Inglewood, TN. My first place, the first car I bought. And I worked for the State of TN; in "Property Assessments", I believe the guy's over the dept was "James Kennedy". My co-workers Sue Jarreld & Patsy ???? Oh well. I was 19 yrs old & living on my own. A great time in my life.

I am trying to find out what the hoses are on each side in the rear near the tires. The safety inspector said they're air cleaner hoses but I can't find replacement parts. Only one is there and it isn't connected. He failed me for these. I didn't see them when you raised your car up. I have a 1970 VW Fastback. Please help.

My dad had 2 vw type 3 variant, one from 72' and the one he still has from 69'(model 1970).

I had a 72 Squareback, and it was even orange. This really makes me miss that car.

Why I'm not surprised that the current demographic for the type 3 is surfer dudes? Air-cooled VWs & surfers go hand in hand. I bet the rally was fun. Hope you enjoyed it. As always, excellent work M.

nice review on old car ve type 3.

I had a '70 Squareback in orange in the late '90s...only car I regret selling.

WoW, The largest Frunk I've ever seen. Packaging is execellent in this car. Love it! I think Tesla is able to build something like this. They have the E-motor mounted in the same location as this engine.

Love them!

You need to do more of these videos. Maybe call it Future Legends. Cars such as the 964/993 Porsche’s, the E30/46 M3, B7 RS4, Subaru 22B etc

I prefer the Europa bumpers (with their rubber inserts) on 1970's VW's to the rounded bumpers on earlier cars. I don't like over-riders on any cars. Notice that the anodised aluminium strips around the windows are missing on all six fixed windows. The wing piping wouldn't have been black originally, it would have been in body color. Also of note is the heater lever illumination light on the dashboard. Seen clearly at 14:02, just below and to the left of the lower rotary fresh air knob; it is a small spotlight that may be angled to illuminate the heater controls between the front seats that have been fitted with yellow covers.

My daily driver squareback was $900, thats nine hundred lol, and is as reliable as physically possible, although it needed a fuel pump when I bought it. Are you in California or something? Those prices are pretty eye popping.

In Europe, they were 1600 , but no fuel injection , and I think , no automatic , but 4 spd.

I had a type 3 wagon in Australia... mine wasn't fuel injected it had two carbies.

We had this car. When my brother was driving it the wheel came off! Apparently the cotter pin broke and fell out. No lug nuts just one pin per wheel.

what type of gas is recommended? im hearing either 100% gasoline or 87 octane

I can almost smell it, riding in the back, grandma at the wheel.

My parents had one. Man it was a rust bucket. every panel rusted through within 5 years.

I own a 72 in its original blue (What they called itfor 72) nowhere near this condition. Nice video on the Type3 missing a few details but then again if you covered everything this would be a way longer video.

Nice squareback with a cool history

I love this car

I'll take it. Thank you.

Why was your seat back in recline ?

super cool :)

1:10 if you put it in neutral, you don't need to keep the clutch depressed.

Always the ridiculous prices... I bought a 71 squareback for $1500 !