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Thanks all for all the replies received to date. It's been good. I've owned the car for about six months, and got it re-registered about five months ago. I posted some pics back then, too: http://www.greebo.net/images/type3/ The images with the green panels is the current status. It's been heavily driven recently as a friend really needed a car whilst hers was being restored. Images of what her (award winning) car now looks like is here: Exterior (front quarter): http://www.greebo.net/images/dovw/images/Day%20of%20Volkswagen%202002%20 115.jpg Fuel tank and wheel well: http://www.greebo.net/images/dovw/images/Day%20of%20Volkswagen%202002%20 113.jpg Exterior (rear quarter): http://www.greebo.net/images/dovw/images/Day%20of%20Volkswagen%202002%20 009.jpg Interior: http://www.greebo.net/images/dovw/images/Day%20of%20Volkswagen%202002%20 013.jpg Interior, carpets: http://www.greebo.net/images/dovw/images/Day%20of%20Volkswagen%202002%20 117.jpg In fact, if you like Type 3's and KG's, go here: http://www.greebo.net/images/dovw/ eg, Nice type 34: http://www.greebo.net/images/dovw/images/Day%20of%20Volkswagen%202002%20 037.jpg As suggested, I will get the basic troubles sorted first - it's easy to do, and it'll give me time to find the panels and trim I need to buy or replace. The car drives well, so I don't think overhauling the steering would do much, but I did want to eventually re-powdercoat the steering column in the correct color. The underside of the car is pretty good - no real rust, just surface bits here and there. The heater channels are clear and no rust. So I don't think it needs the pan off, but it would be nice so I *know* that it's been closely looked at and all repainted. Beyond being a bugger to start sometimes, the engine is excellent - it has plenty of power, is pretty frugal and goes nicely. The only problem is that one of the cylinder heads has a stripped spark plug stuck in it, so to get rid of that will entail either helicoiling it out, or outright head replacement. It blows a tiny bit of smoke, but doesn't use oil, so basically I think the valves need re-adjusting. I'll simply do a short block rebuild, replacing the worn and cleaning and checking everything else as I go. I have the John Muir book (edition 20, perfect bound) and I've always found it to be excellent (I have a c.1988 vintage copy as well, spiral bound). I will add the Bentley manual to my library - excellent suggestion. The clutch and gearbox are buggered and need replacing or something. Don't be surprised if the list gets a few questions when I do this, as the gate is so sloppy and the clutch in dire need of new bits. For example, if I roll to a stop in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gears with the clutch in, I can't get it out of gear, causing the car to stall. I have to open the door and rock the car with my foot to disengage the gear. Neutral and reverse can be hard to find, if you can believe it. This is the highest priority mechanical fix. The brakes, although allegedly completely restored as part of the rego, are simply not good enough. I'm not sure but I'd like to take advice on getting rid of the wooden feeling and getting some bite back in the pedal. I have new pads on all wheels, new brake lines, the front disks were machined and look shiny, replaced master cylinder and fresh brake fluid. It's just that it's like being in a really heavy Beetle or a new car when the engine has stalled and you've lost all power assistance. The front right (drivers) guard is bogged up to the eyeballs, as is the left passenger rear, so I'll buy undamaged panels in the meantime. The front grills in front of the A pillar are full of dirt and leaves. I don't know how to get in there to get rid of it. Luckily, I'm only missing a bit of trim, two side indicator lights and all the rubbers have rotted away and will need replacing with new. All glass is good as far as I can tell, but I will get the windscreen re-polished to take out a wiper gouge. The dash, as always, has a huge crack in it, but I'm assured by the resto shop that they can get that repaired as new. And they have several type threes with pristine interiors proving this. For panel work whilst I am on leave over Christmas, I'm going to strip all the bubbling down in the next week or so and slow the rust until I get a chance to deal with the body correctly. I'll also strip and repaint the green panels white to hold me in place until it's time to do the body properly. Thanks, Andrew ------------------------------------------------ To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <type3-off@vwtype3.org> For more help, see http://vwtype3.org/list/