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I'll answer what I can. See below. Toby Erkson air_cooled_nut@pobox.com <-- Please use this address for email '72 VW Squareback 1.6L bored and stroked to 2.0L, Berg five-speed '75 Porsche 914 1.8L, ORPCA member Portland, Oregon, http://www.pobox.com/~toby_erkson/ >-----Original Message----- >1. Given that the Notchbacks were not officially released in the U.S., >are they much harder to come by and thus more expensive? They are not as common as their siblings but not necessarily more expensive. Given a Notch and a Fasty in identical condition I would expect them to be equally priced. Ever try to find body panels and accessories for these? >2. What are some reference materials you would suggest looking >at before buying a Type III? Catalogs for parts pricing. This list is very good. A Haynes, Bentley or Idiot's Guide if you're interested in performing some of your own maintenance/repair work. It sounds like you've been doing your homework any way so you're better off than most. >3. Can you give me some information on the compatibility of >Type III and Type I engine parts? What about the interior parts? I believe there's more interchangeability between engine parts than interior, but that's mostly if you don't stay with the stock fuel injection. >4. Are Type III's considerably more expensive to maintain than Type I's >and more problematic? No and definitely no. The only expense I can see is in an accident as it's difficult to find body parts, good front/rear suspensions and such due to the lack of availability. We aren't quite as popular as the other Types at this time so there isn't a lot out there for us. >5. Should I buy a Type I first and later graduate to a Type III after I >have some more repair knowledge (my knowledge at present extends to >changing oil, sparkplugs, tires, etc.)? What?! Heck no! I cut my teeth on my baby. The only other VW in my family I can remember was a blue and white bus (which got traded in for the Squareback) so you know I didn't start on any other car before her. >6. Are there any years that you would recommend buying (or avoiding)? >7. What are the average U.S. street prices for Notchbacks, Squarebacks >and Fastbacks in very good condition? I'm looking for a dependable >daily driver with very little or no rust (needing very little >or no body >work) that is ready for a here-and-there, somewhat slow restoration. That is not a question that can be answered. First, it depends upon the market demand. Second, it depends upon the geography. Third, you are not going to find an old car that is rust-free unless it's gone through a pan-off massaging and inspection. I've seen the price range from $50 to $20,000. $50 being a parts car more than anything and the $20K...well, personally, if I was gonna pay that much for a Squareback I'd use the money for a convertible Porsche 911 instead! >8. When searching the mailing-list archives, is there a way to search >using multiple terms (i.e. search for "Notchback engine" or search for >"fastback wheel")? So far I've only been able to do searches with one >term (i.e. search for "Notchback" or search for "fastback")? Of course. Depends upon the criteria as to what the search engine uses. Most search engines have an 'options' link or help that explain better searching logic. >9. Are there any other comments (pleasant ones!) you'd like to make >that might help a novice like myself? Yeah, see if you can ever catch up to Jake Koosier. He lives in Miami (yeah yeah, I know they aren't next door to each other but the distance ain't that great) and is on this list and is the current owner of a Type III, uhm, junkyard, basically. There are a couple others on this list who live in Florida as well so see if you can hook up. On my travels I've met a few listees and they are great people (except Big Al, he has a silver tongue and will try to get you to go to Texas for car shows...don't do it unless you *really* like crickets :) Also, don't believe everything you hear about these cars until you check with us! For example, last Sunday I was over at a friends house feeding her kitties when a man walked by and struck up a conversation with me about Squarebacks (why do I always get older men saying, "Yep, I used to own one of these" instead of some cute, single woman?). He told me that he knew they had a problem of engine fires! I QUICKLY (but politely!) told him he was not correct and that situation would only occur on a badly neglected engine, and in fact the cars are very dependable (driving from Colorado to Oregon on three cylinders; another time I drove over 100 miles with NO OIL in the tranny; they are very tough little cars)! ------------------------------------------------------------------- Too much? Digest! mailto:type3-d-request@vwtype3.org Subj=subscribe