1973 VW Type 3 Squareback: The other best selling Volkswagen! - RETRO DRIVE REVIEW 

The lack of views on this video is depressing. Excellent video.

My husband and I owned a 71 square back for our first car after marrying in 1975. We bought it used and drove it until 1995. We’re in Texas and our car had the factory air conditioner. Our vw mechanic tried to get us to disconnect the ac every time we brought it in. He said it was too hard on the engine. Our square back was the same color as the one in the video Clementine Orange. I still miss her. Thanks for the video. I loved that car.

I drove a friend's Squareback once. Apparently his brakes on the left side weren't working. I was on the highway, hit the brakes, and it changed lanes to the right. Yeesh.

Thanks for the coverage of my favorite VW, the VW Type 3. However, I'd like to make a few additions/corrections: The VW Type 3s were the first cars to offer ELECTRONIC fuel injection as a mass produced factory option. FI was introduced as an option for the '68 Type 3s, in the fall of 1967. This was Bosch D-jetronic FI, which was taken up by other makers starting in 1970. D-jet FI lasted into 1976, but was replaced by K-jet and then L-jetronic FI, the latest versions of which are now current. Given how FI has almost completely replaced carbs, the VW Type 3s were the beta test cars, and the grandfathers of the fuel systems on almost everything on the road today. From '61 thru '73, VW built Type 3s with single carbs and dual carbs, adding the FI option in '68, although only the FI versions were imported into the US from '68-on. The first year for the late body style (large square bumpers, long nose, large taillights) was 1970. The wipers switched sides and the dash was redesigned for the 1971 model year. Air conditioning was never a factory option; it was always dealer installed, which entailed butchering the body and compromising the engine cooling tin. I understand that our warming climate makes it seem like AC is essential, but it never was, back in those days. The steel sunroof is a highly desirable factory option these days. There weren't that many of them sold. Lots of Type 3s still around today have the factory 3-speed automatic transmission. While most of us would rather have the manual 4-speed, the ATs have been extremely reliable, and the top speeds are about the same. There were FOUR VW Type 3 body styles: Fastback, Squareback, Notchback and Type 3 Karmann Ghia. The Notch and Type 3 Ghia were never sold in the US. The Ghia you're so familiar with was the Type 1 Ghia, built on a Beetle pan. The Type 3 Ghia, built on a Type 3 pan, was a much prettier car, rare these days. You suprised me with the 52 HP statement, but a check of a '73 Owner's Manual confirms this: 52 HP at 4000 RPM and 77 ft-lbs at 2200. Oddly, my '72 Owners Manual only gives the torque as 86.8 at 2800; no mention of HP. All the earlier FI years are called out as 65 HP. I've owned all those years, except for '70, and never noticed any significant difference in the engines. This video raised a lot of interest on the Type 3 email list and the only explanation for the sudden drop in HP in '73 (and perhaps '72) is that this may have been due to a change in measurement: HP at the drive wheels as opposed to HP at the flywheel. The top speed mentioned in the Owners Manual is quite conservative. I've owned 10 of these cars, both MT and AT, over the years, and each of them has been over 100 mi/hr at some time. Never for long, and it takes awhile to get there, but they can do it. Thanks again for the coverage,

Best year squareback 69 old rounded front hood and Fender Style with independent rear suspension introduced in 69 in 70 they squared off the hood an all the lights started getting bigger and uglier

Gorgeous ride ♥️ so what it takes 18 seconds to 60mph it's not about the speed it's about the smiles 🙂 mph.

My first car...yellow...71’.....God bless you for the great review of an amazing all rounder.

This is a unique car. These are decent cars. Frankly, many of us should thank not only Ralph Nader, but a lot of others along the way, because otherwise we would not be alive.

My 1969 Squareback - mechanical FI - got 36 mpg ALWAYS - 70mph hiway, in stop and start city traffic, everywhere everything. It was bored out to 1850cc and otherwise 100% stock original.

I had a 71 Squareback, I loved it! I put a 1776 cc engine in it, duel exaust, mirror style sunroof, surf racks, and red paint with gold flakes in the paint. I had it from 1988 through 1995. I still have dreams about that car, always going down to get some surf on the Central Coast of California. Cassette player had the Surf Punks, Beach Boys, Run DMC, and Social Distortion to name a few. "I used to be cool".

My aunt had one. We had 2 bugs and a camperbus that was two tone green with a blue stripe around the middle from factory. It looked like an Easter egg.

Yes, nice vid on a car that doesn't get much light. Corrections I caught - no mention of the Type 34 Ghia. Production of the T3 from 61 to 65 did not have the Fastback but did have the Ghia till 69. The Fastback was meant for the American market and brought on in 66. Second, the body change for the front trunk - up to 69 is the older style 70 to 73 is the boat nose.

I had a yellow 73 and had the “Sleep-in extender” installed which permitted me, 6’3”, to sleep comfortably in the rear. I was studying in Mexico at the time and at customs crossing the border, no one ever looked up front, assuming the engine was there. No a/c, but I loved it!

I own an original 1971 squareback. Runs and drives Love this car.

Nice video. The rims have to be originally in silk silver - not glossy. If you change that the car will have a nicer, original appearance. The sun-roof was very rare. I drove this from 15 yrs till I was 21. The 54 PS version was tricky to service because the 2 carburetors needed to be synchronized: not easy with ca. 8 worn joints .... Fuel consumption was 12ltr/100km which was far too high but cant be avoided, even not with excellent service....Fuel Injection was not ordered in Germany but in the UK. .....your vid brings back memories.....

Back in the 80s I traveled and lived out of a 67 Squareback. That thing held the road amazingly well and was a blast to drive. I called it the poor man’s Porsche. I also drove it off-road a lot doing forestry work. There were times I was the only vehicle to get through a bad section of logging road, leaving lifted four-wheel-drive, pick ups stuck in the mud. Snow was never a problem. Gas mileage was upper 20s lower 30s on a good day. With all but the driver seat removed, a specially configured interior including full length beds, curtains, and a Coleman stove it was an excellent mobile living vehicle. An idea popular now considered insane back then.😅

Rear engine wagon, amazing! This car needs a true successor but even the new beetle is front engine FWD... Is this what progress is?

I've been driving through winter with my Squareback sitting on Power King Extra Traction tires and OH my God, its like 4 wheel drive. I took it up an ice covered logging road the other day and barely spun a tire

It's always hilarious hearing North Americans talk about acceleration figures. 4:13 he mentions 18 seconds as if that's abysmal, but that's obviously, and only, within a North American context. There are still LOTS of brand new cars sold around the world (Europe, India, China etc) with 0-100 times averaging 14-15 seconds, and no one bats an eyelash. So being only 3 seconds off that mark ain't that bad when you consider this VW is 50 years old

Sorry, but calling the Toyota Corolla the bestselling car is plain silly. In order to do that, you have to roll an entire dozen of entirely different cars into one. You could say that the Corolla is the best selling brand, but not car. The best selling car is and was the original VW Beetle, which maintained all of its characteristics for the entirety of its production run, while the Corolla maintained none - besides being a compact car... ;)

I am trying to find out what the hoses are on each side in the rear near the tires. The safety inspector said they're air cleaner hoses but I can't find replacement parts. Only one is there and it isn't connected. He failed me for these. I didn't see them when you raised your car up. I have a 1970 VW Fastback. Please help.

I like the insight about the suspension being sophisticated for its time and price bracket. I learned to drive on the the family 1970 VW Bus. When we switched to a new '73 Squareback it felt like a sports car. It wasn't just ~low to the road, it *felt* low to the road. Now I know it wasn't just an illusion in comparison to the Bus.

I finally bought a superb condition squareback in the 1990s and loved it but despite brand new replacement engine lid seal and rubber and carpet on top the engine smell was noticeable when driving. The fastback would be the one i would want today.

vw beetle stayed the same. Toyota should not be included

Me: Constantly search for classic car videos, Volkswagen in particular. Algorithm: I'ma bury this one. Wanna see this rescued fruit bat? Seriously, I had to *dig* for this.

I owned one, and just one time trying to fix it- I sold it! This would be good for an EV conversion

Very interesting video. My only experience with a Type 3 was a 73 Slant Back that belonged to the mother of a friend. The car drove well, even with 8 teenagers crammed in it. We had 10 in a 75 Dart Swinger that night. 18 people and 2 cars to go see Rocky Horror Picture Show. What sticks in my mind is what was laughingly call a heater. The heat from the engine was, to be kind, pitiful. The air for the "defroster" was unheated, so was pretty useless. The gas heater was as hot as a furnace when on. It was on or off, nothing in between, and if you did turn it on, it had to run for a minimum of 5 minutes, like it or not, or there was the risk of it exploding. At least I fit in it, unlike the Type 1.

My parents had one. Man it was a rust bucket. every panel rusted through within 5 years.

Always the ridiculous prices... I bought a 71 squareback for $1500 !

My late father used to have one back in the 70s and it always broke down because of over heating, due to insufficient cooling air which also affected the early VW Bus.

A lot of tech from this one also went into my first car, a 914 2.0 VW/Porsche. I love these old flat fours. The sound is unique.

I remember this car vividly growing up as a kid 👍

Watched this for inspiration. I have a 1971 Squareback that i am rebuilding. Cork leatherette and i believe it to be Kansas beige on the dash but somewhere up the line somebody painted it a gnarly yellow. But i love it.

I have a 71 automatic that it restored recently. And yeah its slow but its very solid and stable, it forces you to drive well and safely. (and surfers love her)

So awesome to see this review - I had this EXACT spec car (color, year, sunroof - everything down to a T). I was working on restoring it with my dad but sold it while I was in college, around 2013 or so - any chance this car came from Oregon? I miss that little car terribly, you can’t beat these awesome old Volkswagens.

That was a lovely video! Nice classic and still affordable.- Great idea MotoMan! From this area VW I love the SP2 the most. A really cool looking design in my opinion. - I also love the type 181 ( I think in the US they call it "Thing"). More of that content, please!

Another great video. You really are ideally suited to this kind of review. I believe my mother and I looked at these in 1972 but she thought it wasn't as practical as the 510 wagon as it had 4 passenger doors and was more practical for 3 kids and a dog. Her 510 did us a great service with little fuss. I would love for you to find an original 510 wagon to review. Everyone is all about the 2 door versions. Anyway, good stuff friend.

Have to distinguish between the 411 (which this one is) and the boxier more luxurious 412

In Europe, they were 1600 , but no fuel injection , and I think , no automatic , but 4 spd.

I was in college in the late 70s and had a green 1970 Squareback. My dad still had his 70 bug. The keys were interchangeable 😮. Not sure why this has gone up in value as it was a miserable car that I don’t miss. But that’s just me. To each their own. Great vid though 😊.

Why was your seat back in recline ?

Thanks! I loved my '73 square back! Traded it in for a bus, when my family grew to four kids.

I have my grandpa's 1970 in the same color. He changed the engine to a older one that is carbureted so it would be easier to work on.

Engine is like a luggage

Had new in 1971..My first new car. I truly loved my VW. Kept till 1981 , bought a new Rabbit.

i daily a type 3 here in colorado

Currently shopping for a daily and found a '73 for about $1,500. The tailgate is badly dented, but otherwise it's in great shape. The only thinig holding me back is the lack of power and A/C.

They added 4.5 inches in 1970, including the Europa bumpers. In 73 they added a bar beneath the front bumper to comply with the 2.5 mph regulation for 73. The Beetle had a similar bar added, called a strap in that case. While the Beetle gained a large 5 mph bumper for 74, Volkswagen couldn't add the same to the Type 3 without ruining the car's looks and decided to end production a year early. Though not as pretty as the 69 and under models, the Type 3 had it's best selling years after the 1970 change, selling the most in 1970 in the states with over 100K models. One in ten Volkswagens sold in the states was a Type 3. The Karmann Ghia received the Europa bumpers in 72; they didn't take away from the looks of the car as drastically as some domestic small car models and again, Volkswagen decided to pull the plug early rather than comply with the 1974 bumper regulations in the states.

Great video. I've always been intrigued by these. The casual "Folksfagen" is not easy to pull off.

I just don't get why you're revving the engine so much, while it has its best power delivery at power rpm.

I had to sell mine the car aged 40 because of my disability unable to work on my fastback that my dad bought in 74 it’s the only classic I’d dive given a chance. I couldn’t watch anything Volkswagen related for years I was so heartbroken. So versatile great though floods put a 412 engine in later teen years but would have an original no mods and be happily evermore. So many great memories as a child and later as an adult. Great to see a restored 311 although I’d like the 312 being from UK. Great video many thanks

I had a 71 squareback it was a great car really fun to drive and with tons of cargo space. It was great on the snow and it was fun with the windows down during summer. That entire air cooled VW era was cool for sure.

Corolla is cheating with it's sales figures. The Corolla is a series of completely different vehicles that replaced the previous ones but continued to use the same name. If VW called the Golf 'Beetle' it would eclipse Corolla.

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My 69 Square has been in the garage and Non-op since the start of the pandemic(save money on registration and insurance). Came close to selling a couple times however, something keeps telling me to hang on to her. Watching this really makes me want to register it and start driving it again. Cheers .

I’ve owned a type 1, type 2, type 3 and type 4. More recently a Caddy and now own a Touran

My first car in 1985 was the family '71 Squareback. My father had even bought the upgraded option of a Blaupunkt FM radio!! Unfortunately, after 15 years of winters in Ontario, Canada, the frame rusted out and the struts came through the rear floor. Would love to find one again someday. Driving around even with the low power was a lot of fun. As he mentions in the video, this car was like a Subaru in Oregon. Funny enough, that is what my father replaced this car with and he and I still drive Subies today!

Even Volkswagen gives its cars the same makeover job as private owners. Spiff up the interior and exterior, dirty, greasy, cruddy engine and transmission

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Wow that gives memories back - I remember as a kid one of my uncles had one and it was old then! When traveling in Brazil, you can still see them on the road in service today. Great review and time travel - thank you! Are they still around in the US?

My family had a 1970 Squareback automatic. 65 horsepower total. It couldn't get out of its own way. And it would never start on a cold morning.

When I was 18 (I'm 65 now), I bought a '68 Squareback, my first car. And I'd be a rich man today if I'd not bought it (which my dad warned me not to, LOL), considering the amount of repair it required. I put two engines in it. Must have had to do with the fuel injection, but it never got good mileage like it should have. Around town the engine got blazing hot. It didn't have a lot of power. To tell the truth, I can't even remember the last time I saw one on the road. It blew its third engine after a snowstorm, as a massive cumulus cloud came out of it. Good riddance!!! 😂

Extremely happy to see the retro type 3 VW. My dad had one way back in the mid 80's. I still would love to own one. Pls help me find one in India.

I prefer the Europa bumpers (with their rubber inserts) on 1970's VW's to the rounded bumpers on earlier cars. I don't like over-riders on any cars. Notice that the anodised aluminium strips around the windows are missing on all six fixed windows. The wing piping wouldn't have been black originally, it would have been in body color. Also of note is the heater lever illumination light on the dashboard. Seen clearly at 14:02, just below and to the left of the lower rotary fresh air knob; it is a small spotlight that may be angled to illuminate the heater controls between the front seats that have been fitted with yellow covers.

I own a classic Volkswagen dealership and I do sell a ton of type 3's This is a very nice y 73' Squareback. However being a 73' squareback it doesn't bring 30k pricing yet. I have a 2 owner 71 Squareback with 57k og miles and looks and drives just as nice as that one and am asking all the money at 16k. Yes the type 3 Squarebacks are becoming more popular. But if someone pays 30k For a mint 73' is definitely spending too much at this point in time. Great video though!

My very first automobile was a V W bug in Germany., of which I managed to bring a later model to America. Later I purchased a V W Fastback in America. Loved my V Ws

Small hatchbacks with fold down rear seats have been ubiquitous for 30+ years but IIRC Volkswagen was way ahead of the curve on this with the Squareback. The Pinto and Dodge Omni, etc came along but had nowhere near the room in back.

These are lovely, but they are of their time and they are flawed. Most lovely cars are flawed. It was actually a pretty swift car from point to point on European roads. 0-60 has little to do with journey time. It had unusual, but highly predictable, handling. It was easy to drive when grip was limited. They were thirsty for their size and power. All these VW flat fours were thirsty. But for four youngsters who wanted to get around Europe on the early-to-mid 80s, these little beasties were just about perfect. They didn't have the cool of the Type 1, but they got the job done and made you smile.

MG midget was about the same power and acceleration, yeah the squareback was nice but they always needed the oil changed and valves adjusted for longevity. VW always noted for their brakes then but like you said the 'semi auto' was TERRIBLE

I had a Fastback 71 model beautifully made car, lovely to drive and it was an Automatic! Good looking machine!

Your pigieon-holing of cars as "classic" is way off. Classic cars, as such, have to have more than simply age on them to qualify as classics, i.e., body style for starters. There is nothing classic about a squareback. That being said, let me state I love VW's of this time period, but there is nary a classic among 'em. Just my humble opinions but there are those who would agree.

i drove a 71 type 3 in the Ozarks and it was fucking outrageous and fun

Do not care, I love my Squareback, and miss it, drove it on my senior year in high school, and a year at city college, WHY did I sold it, I was Stupid..... Now these little babies are now worth 6 times than they were selling originally when I got it in 1973....

In Europe VW had to compete against Citroen, the handling and ride king of the road. I had a 72 Beetle and at that time the max speed limit in NJ was 55 mph and it was adequate. My friend had an early Falcon and let me say on long grade climbs my VW beat that Falcon.

My parents bought a Variant dark metallic green (Estate) VW Type 3 back in 1974 in West Germany. My father got a good price because they were about to bring in the type 4. As a kid ( 7 years old aprox) I could never get over being able to place luggage in the front and back of the car. I also remember the battery starting to boil under the back seat which I was sitting on. Cannot remember what the fault was. It was an interesting concept but one that VW dumped when changing to water cooled Golfs!

By today's standards, yeah, it's not a whole lot of power, but back then, for a mass produced offering, it was pushing standards. Not a muscle car, but it met consumer expectations.

Childhood memories :) we had one. And just found that my dad keept the windshield, it's in the attick, it looks intact :) maybe somebody needs it one day LOL. It would be nice to have it transplanted to a car that lives on :)

The car that saved my life due to its solid built. I loved it.

Hey George. This review is special for me not because of this specific vehicle but because of one of its competitors that my father drove. He passed away suddenly in the spring of 1969 but he purchased what my mother believes was a 1968 Opel Kadett B sedan to compliment the 1967 Buick Riviera that my parents owned (the Riviera had been a replacement for his original 1963 Riviera, a car I really want to have back). He drove the Kadett until he died and then my mother sold it to one of his friends (another doctor) who drove it for many years. Curiously, it's not the only Kadett B in the family. My aunt (my father's sister) bought a 1971 Kadett B wagon to compliment the gargantuan 1970 Buick Electra 225 she also had at the time. The Electra is gone but the Kadett is still in her garage but it hasn't been moved since 1985. (My aunt is sadly, a serious hoarder and the car is literally buried in stuff). The car I'm told needs a new engine fan and obviously some work after sitting for so long. It has a couple of minor dents, but otherwise is complete. It's certainly is an interesting project car.

i drove a 71 type 3 sb for years and i still have dreams about her. Still my dream car

My dad had 2 vw type 3 variant, one from 72' and the one he still has from 69'(model 1970).

One flaw of the Type 3 was the cooling, relying on a pleated rubber connection duct into the rear fan housing. As this was above the exhaust silencer any failure of this rubber duct meant that hot air was drawn in. Don't know if rearranging the rear side tinware (if any exists at the rear of the engine) below the fan housing aperture much like on the 411/412 Varients will go towards solving this issue. Also standard was the dynamo first with 6v electricals. Nowadays I think there's a aftermarket alternator conversion kit available.

Very first car that i ever drove. A 1972 green Brazilian model.

I had a type 3 wagon in Australia... mine wasn't fuel injected it had two carbies.

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Learned to drive in a 1970 Squareback with 3spd auto!

I had a '70 Squareback in orange in the late '90s...only car I regret selling.

REASON I own a 72 Fastback😎 👉🏽Were “NOT” 2,000,000 built💡 = RARE VW

My Dad had a 65, it had NO trouble following or passing in HW traffic

I have always wanted the notchback version of this car but they are hard to find and notchback in good condition is very pricey.

Cat-lady neighbor had one of these. Sat for years when she stopped using it. I do not think I have seen one since the 70s.

Hi 😂 I had a 64 65 and 69 I beg your pardon is there a way that I can have a beautie like this man ? ?

what type of gas is recommended? im hearing either 100% gasoline or 87 octane

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Engine in wrong place. Only place for engine is in between wheels. Unless is a race car

I hear someone use the word Uber and I immediately think they’re dumb.

I can almost smell it, riding in the back, grandma at the wheel.

Between front wheels is only place for engine. Air cooled engines wrong in cars

My dad owns a 1969 vw type 3

Please Please ! When you give out the weight of this car also give it out in kilos!