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Welcome to the list, Tim.
TimM=> *where* is the engine in these things?
All air-cooled VWs are rear-engine. The Type 3 engine is designed for a
lower profile, allowing the huge, flat cargo bay in the Squareback and
two roomy compartments in the other models, including the Ghia.
This question leads me to wonder whether the Website is missing an
important illustration -- Greg?
=> why in y'alls opinions, did VW dump the air-cooled engine after so
=> many years of dedication to it?
Good question, I don't think I've heard anyone discuss this in quite a
few years. I have no privileged information, but I think Ralph Nader had
something to do with it. His book slagging the Corvair for exhaust
and other problems ("Unsafe at Any Speed") was a real turning point for
consumer awareness. Unfortunately it has taken decades for consumers to
approach real sophistication, so disinformation and wrong information
circulated widely for years. Other air-cooled cars lost reputation
alongside the Corvair, and VW was already the only other serious
air-cooled maker. By the late '60s the subcompact market was crowded
with competitors eating into VW sales. Things were tough all over, and
then OPEC boosted prices and pulled the rug out from under the market.
Type 3's developed a reputation as gas hogs in Germany, where fuel
prices were painfully high. VW needed a new image, and by '75 it had
flushed almost all its old designs.
=> are they harder to work on? less reliable? poorly designed?
No, no, and no. Compared with other cars of the same vintage, air-cooled
VWs are a *lot* easier to deal with in all respects, and if properly set
up and maintained can be expected to perform well for over 120,000
miles. The engine design was good enough to power Porches through the
'70s, and bear in mind that the VW opposed four was the most popular
engine ever produce, arge margin. The Type 3 is a refinement of
the original Beetle engine with improved cooling and more power.
=> Do you have to be a hobbyist/mechanical genius in order to own one or
=> are they nice reliable little cars?
Assuming the car is in good shape to start with (remember, they're all
at least 26 years old), they are indeed reliable if you are able to
handle some simple regular maintenance. Good manuals are available to
help even the true wrenchophobe take control of his/her life. This is
necessary because there are very few mechanics left in this country who
know enough about Type 1 engines, let alone T3s.
=> If I wanted to buy one that was in excellent condition (not
=> necessarily "mint" but excellent interior, body & mechanics) how much
=> would it set me back?
A lot depends on where you are, but I would plan on spending about $4000
for a car in that condition after the work you'll need to do on it. This
assumes you don't buy nasty surprises. Fasts and Squares run about the
same.
=> do type IIIs go for more or less than comparable Bugs?
Higher prices on parts tend to make T3s a larger investment, balanced
somewhat by lower demand, which can make them a little harder to sell.
Everybody knows about Bugs -- JC Whitney even has a catalog section for
them -- but T3 awareness is limited.
=> Any reason to own one over the other besides personal preference?
This choice is similar to that between a Ford Escort and a Crown Vic.
T3s were the high line: better suspension, better braking, better
cooling, more power, less noisy, more comfortable interiors, more heat,
better handling, more cargo/passenger space, etc. *Lots* of reasons,
unless you're in love with the Beetle shape. Me, I think 3s look better,
too.
Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
'66 T3 Karmann Ghia
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