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Custom Convertible! 1969 Volkswagen Type 3

According to the seller, this was once a Volkswagen fastback, which would make it a VW Type 3. These cars were built by VW between 1961-73. They were larger and more comfortable than a Beetle and used 1500 to 1600-cc, rear-mounted, air-cooled engines. For whatever reason, this Type 3 has been customized as a convertible with a front end not unlike a Rolls-Royce or Lincoln Continental in appearance. The engine has been rebuilt, but the price depends on whether the seller puts it back into the car. From a carport in Pahrump, Nevada, this interesting VW is available here on craigslist for $7,000 if you install the motor.

The Type 3 rounded out the VW lineup in the 1960s, which included the Type 1 (Beetle), Type 14 (Karmann Ghia), and the Type 2 (Bus). As with the others, the Bug-like motor was out back, the cars had rear-wheel drive, and torsion bar suspension was employed. The Type 3 was more of a family car than the Beetle, with additional passenger and luggage space and a bigger motor. They came as 2-door notchbacks, squarebacks, and fastbacks, of which the latter is said to be the donor for this custom job.

For whatever reason, someone went to a lot of trouble (and expense) to convert this ’69 fastback into the convertible you see now. From the front, it looks nothing like a Type 3, but its roots are more prevalent from the rear forward. The seller refers to this car as a one-of-a-kind “Rose Bug” and – given the elderly couple in one of the photos – we’re guessing this was Mom & Pop’s special car. We assume that the body panels are now made of fiberglass rather than metal and since we’ve never seen another one like it, we’re thinking this wasn’t a kit car.

The bodywork and paint look very nice, and the seller says the car has a new interior, so perhaps this conversion didn’t take place that long ago. It comes with spoke rims and the 1600-cc engine has been rebuilt, but it’s not currently in the VW. You can take it home and do it yourself or give the seller another $1,000 and he’ll put it in. We’re told it has an automatic transmission, which doesn’t make for a screamer unless the engine has received some performance mods. No matter the case, wherever you go with this car, you’re going to get a lot of stares.

Comments

  1. Avatar JCA Member

    It’s a pass on the Vdub for me but the shirt and the sweater are fantastic

    Like 6
  2. Avatar Fahrvergnugen Member

    One clown (or sixty) short of a circus.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Mountainwoodie

      To quote Snoopdawg…”das sum crazy shight!”

      Like 1
  3. Avatar Autoworker

    Scooby-Do would call that one, “Rug-Ree”.

    Like 12
  4. Avatar Mike

    The top looks interesting. It’s got some potential with some re-work. The whole front end needs a re-do and the trunk lid needs to go back to stock. Colors not not helping either.

    Like 6
  5. Avatar Terrry

    It’s not a big job installing the engine, I wonder why the owner won’t do it and then sell the car?

    Like 6
    • Avatar DavidL Member

      My guess is that there’s something wonky w/ the rebuild likely the exhaust? Get it home and the buyer may discover that it doesn’t fit. Offer enough of a discount and a lot of buyers will decide to do it themselves and then discover that it’s bigger than they thought. Had a similar situation myself w/ a Bugatti kit car.

      Like 2
    • Avatar DavidL Member

      My guess is that there’s something wonky w/ the rebuild likely the exhaust? Get it home and the buyer may discover that it doesn’t fit. Offer enough of a discount and a lot of buyers will decide to do it themselves and then discover that it’s bigger than they thought. Had a similar situation myself w/ a Bugatti kit car.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Fred W

    Just wrong on so many levels

    Like 10
  7. Avatar KC John Member

    I’m with Mike. Top is kinda cool but front and engine cover got to go. I’d need in it around 4 to justify the work. IMHO.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar normadesmond

    When will people ever learn . . . .

    Your vision is yours alone.

    Like 15
  9. Avatar joenywf64

    Headlites too low for some states?

    Like 3
  10. Avatar Rodney - GSM

    If you look up Different Drummer, strangely, both this car and sweater appear.
    What are the odds?
    Drummers need love like everyone…

    Like 6
  11. Avatar SMS

    Wish they would have done the top and then stopped. I think it would have looked good. Have seen a couple notchback convertibles and they looked okay.

    Like 2
  12. Avatar grant

    No.

    Like 4
  13. Avatar Scott m

    Love this car- great size, proportions are good, fun all around and easy mechanicals! what’s not to like party poopers!

    Like 11
    • Avatar Steve RM

      Good proportions? Have you seen the front end?

      Like 2
  14. Avatar Nevadahalfrack Member

    Wouldn’t the removal of the top cause structural weakness for the chassis? I know you can reinforce the pan to some degree to make it up but even at that there’s only so much you can do to compensate.

    IMO, it’s ugly, but boy is it really ugly and overpriced for a non-running VW.

    Like 3
    • Avatar SMS

      A few times my friends and I have driven around in type 1s with the body removed. The pan is surprisingly stiff.

      Come to think of it the bare pan looked better than this

      Like 7
    • Avatar MGSteve

      Cap’n Obvious here: When VW “cut the top off the Bug” to make their convertible, they did considerable reinforcement. They added a very stiff and structurally sound channel lengthwise. Across the body, they added reinforcement at the front quarter panel, another channel across the body at “mid ships” (cleverly incorporated into the rear seat support — necessitating a special rear seat) and additional support for that brace. Let’s hope this person did some similar things?????

      Like 4
      • Avatar Steve Clinton

        “Hey Mortimer, what’s a channel?”

        Like 0
  15. Avatar Mark

    It needs to be outlined in chalk, covered with a sheet and roped off with yellow tape.

    Like 9
  16. Avatar angliagt Member

    …..or parked with that Biturbo.

    Like 1
  17. Avatar Steveo

    Rolls-Canartly…

    Like 2
  18. Avatar local_sheriff

    Wifey wanted a Bentley – your savings only allowed for a VW

    Like 3
  19. Avatar Ike Onick

    “Steak Dinner $40.00” “If We Add The Steak,$60.00”

    Like 7
  20. Avatar rustylink

    you’ll need a periscope with the top on – talk about blind spots.

    Like 2
  21. Avatar Troy

    So was this Clark Griswold’s other car ?

    Like 3
  22. Avatar Steve Clinton

    “Hey, Mortimer, let’s finish off another case of brewskis and build ourselves a Rolls!”

    Like 2
  23. Avatar Claudio

    I love open top cars ( topless)
    But there is nothing for me to like here
    No
    No
    No
    No
    No
    No
    No
    No

    Like 2
  24. Avatar Motorcityman

    Park it next to a Citreon, it’ll look fantastic!

    Like 3
    • Avatar jwaltb

      No.

      Like 0
  25. Avatar Howie Mueler

    On this less photos are better.

    Like 2
  26. Avatar Rich

    Unless there is more to it, but installing a VW rear engine is pretty straight forward. Not exactly $1,000 worth of work.

    Like 3
  27. Avatar chrlsful

    liken the type 34 & the KG they imported here bout the best tho the square back (waggy) was great while I owned it (late 60s, early 70s) heater boxes rotted off. If around – the sporty Brazilian would have been nice “TC” or sompin? Just bought ’92 MR2 so the 6 cyl 914 comes to mind !
    But here…no wonder he’s gettin rida it.

    Like 1
  28. Avatar Tango Smoker

    You know when they say the dog looks like the owner? Well this car……..

    Like 1
  29. Avatar RCinphill

    why!!?

    Like 0
  30. Avatar Gary

    Fugly is what it is. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

    Like 1
  31. Avatar Wildfire

    My very first car in 76 was a 72 type 3 Fastback and I loved that little car, living in Salt Lake Valley meant so pretty cold Temps in the winter and with a air cooled engine I NEVER had to plug my car in at night or park it in the heated garage like my father & sibling did.
    I remember that one very cold January day neither of their cars would start so I went outside and turned my key and the VW fired right up ! 10 minutes later I was driving my siblings to school and my father to the airport
    My little car also had a surprise in the suitcase fuel injected oil bath motor as well when I took it in for service they discovered it was not a factory motor , in fact someone transplanted a Porsche motor in it as on the oil bath cover and the oil pan were Porsche stamped logos and on the head somewhere as well ….My father bought the car for $200.00 from the girl he hired in Denver who said she got it from her brother when he went to prison and she had no idea why he would put a motor like that in his car ~ later we found a taillight switch on the floor ( headlight dimmer switch found on American cars of the 70s ) that killed all taillights and break lights when pressed , now why would someone do that ? To run from the cops in a VW with a sleeper look that was really fast !! turns out little brother was a drug dealer and in a little VW with a Porsche motor sleeper was a very fast car ! I traded it for a 72 Charger in 1980 and have been Mopar Ever since
    This Is NOT a Type 3 and from what I’ve seen lately would be worth much more if it was still wearing its factory skin !
    No thanks on the Frankenwagon

    Like 3
  32. Avatar Little_Cars Member

    Why do DIY “upholsterers” use materials that are dated and cannot stand the test of time (or fashion?). And why, oh why, do amateur upholsterers assume we want to see flat panels, no pleats, and 300 exposed Philips-head screws? Best part of the listing is the winner of the “Ugliest Sweater Contest.” PASS

    Like 0
  33. Avatar Uncle Buck

    Im weird I like this thing

    Like 0
    • Avatar Claudio

      Uncle buck was weird , gee i miss john candy …

      Like 1
  34. Avatar V8roller

    If you think of it as a Continental Shorty, it’s not bad.
    And unlike so many ‘projects, it got done.
    As usual, I wonder how many of the haters could do better.

    Mind you, whether it’s worth $7k, hmmm.

    Like 0
  35. Avatar jwaltb

    Hahaha!

    Like 0

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