While a notchback Fox Body Mustang may get some of us all hot and bothered, what about a notchback-style VW Type 3? This 1964 barn find example appears to be sitting in outdoor storage next to another vintage air-cooled, but the seller says it runs with “tons” of new parts already installed. The price seems ambitious at $8,500, but check it out here on craigslist and let us know what you’d pay for it (and go here if the ad disappears.)
Those headlight eyebrows are usually indicative of a car that’s been modified somewhat, but we can’t see any evidence of other hop-up parts attached. Though no details are offered on what the new parts include, the body at least presents well with no obvious signs of damage or rot. Of course, being listed on Detroit’s craigslist should be all the warning you need to check out the condition of the floors.
There does appear to be rust bleeding out from the edges of the rear window, but it remains difficult to tell how vulnerable areas like the wheel wells and lower quarter panels are faring. While we see the fastback and estate-bodied Type 3s with some regularity, the notchbacks pop up less frequently – and they are in high demand with air-cooled enthusiasts who love to slam their Beetles, Buses and Karmann-Ghias on the ground.
The interior is a bit disheveled but doesn’t appear destroyed; the carpet and seating surfaces actually appear quite good. The door panels are missing and it looks like the carpet has been removed from the lower kick panel on the passenger side. These are minor quibbles, and if the Type 3 isn’t a total rust-bucket (and actually has the “solid” body the seller promises in the ad), it could be worth a look – but only after a price reduction.
Very interesting! I wasn’t aware that these existed. Thank you BF!
@PhiljustPhil.
I don’t think they existed for very long.
Not officially imported to the US, but many were personal imports by vacationers, military, etc.
I wouldn’t pay more than 5 for this one. I had a Squareback for a daily for quite some time that was much better than this and sold it for that much. Good find though, especially an early notchback
Had a red one in the 70’s- nice little cars with more power than a bug. Flat 4 rather than upright. Large trunk in front, medium trunk in rear, engine underneath trunk!
….like this….
I was just wondering about what it looked like for storage in the rear. Thanks, fred w!
I don’t know what this guy is thinking. I bought one a few months back (running and driving) for $1200 and sold it for $1500 and thought I was getting a good deal.
This ain’t no 22 window minibus.
Really! there’s something in the water in Michigan….lately there have been more than a few crazy prices on cars out of there. “Buy my notchback …its underneath this pile of junk and crap and.I’ll let you have whats there for $8500 .”
Get a grip seller. No one left to fall off the hay wagon. Restore it and THEN see if you can catch any fish
Please send me the next one you find for $1500. I’ll take it! These are far rarer than a very common 21 window. And, they’re apparently affordable.
If you are going to ask top dollar put some effort into the pictures.
Please stop using useless phrases such as “very solid body”, what does that mean? It means whatever the seller want it to mean. One thing it guarantees, there will be rust.
Steve R
I’m assuming all the junk surrounding it is included with the car since it’s all prominently featured in the pics.
Like the car. Yes, the seats look good but the carpet?? Uh, no.
Where ole’ Tony is from, most of these were gone long ago so they are quite rare there. It isn’t rusted up to the door handles which is rare for his neck of the woods too. I’d prefer the fast back style vs. the notch back but, it’s still a nice car.
The Type 3 line started in 1962 as a higher end option to the Beetle. The line was discontinued in 1973 for the 411 and 412. The three models are identical from the B pillar forward, with sheetmetal being the main difference behind it. The Fastback and Squareback both made it to the US, but the Notchback didn’t. The Notch made it to Canada, thus Notches here are mostly grey market cars. I’ve had a couple 64’s. They are really nice to drive, even when lowered a bit. The most common car they’re mistaken for is a Volvo. I love the sedan look of them and the functionality of the additional length and width, and front and back trunks. Without better info, that price is extremely ambitious. The Type 3 line has a similar cutoff for the vintage enthusiasts. With Beetle and Bus, it’s commonly 1967. The Type 3s maintained their smaller bumper and lights until 1970, when they also got more square, especially in the nose.
I had a ’71 fastback that I bought in 1975 . Nothing in it except an a. m. radio
Worst thing about it was no heat , now someone is going to say that the heat
channels were rusted out but they were fine . V W didn’t believe in blower motors
I didn’t know it at the time but I was driving a car for the ’30s
I remember these. My cousin who lived in Seattle had one. I do not remember the swimming pool on the front hood, nor the meaty tire on the right rear.
I can’t believe the audacity of one who will ask 8 to 10 times what the car is worth yet not take such “after- market” items off and set them aside. If moving the large can away from the front bumper is too much effort, how much time did he spend changing the oil etc. This kind of ad is what the “delete” button is for.
Seems a little pricy.
Here are a few of these back in the day losing it at Nurburgring.
https://youtu.be/dWlF4sT0HWs
I drove my ’67 squareback around the Nurburgring. I think it cost me 20 Marks–don’t know if you can still do that. Probably the lawyers have put a stop to it just as they have so many other things. My type 3 was a wonderful car. It was my first European car and the car before it, a ’64 Rambler American convertible, was my last American car.
My parents had one when I was 4. I’d spend no more than $1200 on it and that only because of my first car memories in it.
The car being in Romulus at the end of Federation territory, that’s why the price is a little off. All kidding aside on “theSamba.com” they are asking stupid money for nice Notches, so I assume this person feels if he asks they will come.
I love the notch my favourite vw!
i liked the way they looked. Thought bout a 4 dor but cuz of the motor location – no go.
GF had the wagon in the mid 70s & there’s 1 near here of that era. One of the diesel p/u frm a few yrs later could fit in my garage!
Was in Romulus earlier today, could have taken a look, if I weren’t there to fly out of DTW. Will be back in a few days, if anyone would like eyes on it.
yeah I’d like to hear an update from you
This guy is not just high, he’s also a rude slag bucket. Don’t bother emailing him, unless you want a lecture about VW followed by some insults.
The car is apparently still for sale….