Owner: Reuben van Niekerk
Car: 1969 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback
Bought in: 2010
Mileage when purchased/now: 77 000 miles/93 000 miles
Current value: R120 000
Why I bought/built this car: I have always been interested in air cooled Volkswagens and I owned a couple of Beetles before this. I spotted this car in the neighbourhood where my grandparents lived. It intrigued me because it is an air cooled VW but not as common as Beetles or Kombis you generally saw at shows at the time. I also noticed that it was an automatic, which is rather rare, but which also appealed to me as automatic cars are much easier to drive with a prosthetic leg, which I use.
Automatic derivatives also feature a variety of uprated drivetrain components over manual air cooled VWs. These include disc brakes up front and independent rear suspension which makes for a good handling car and excellent ride quality.
I knocked on the door of the house where the car was parked, but the car wasn’t for sale at the time. I left my number and a year later I got a call and we did a deal.
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Common issues with this model: All air cooled Volkswagens require regular maintenance but if they are well maintained they are reliable and will treat you well.
Major repairs I’ve conducted: I had a new engine built for the car about three years ago. Although we stuck to the stock recipe, brand new parts were used where possible. The engine was also precisely balanced by an expert. She runs very well now.
I have also replaced the differential as it picked up damage when the ATF mixed with the diff’ oil on a road trip to Mpumalanga. Fortunately, I have amassed a stock of parts over the years, a couple of transmissions included. I have also had to replace the windscreen twice, fortunately brand new items are still available from Turkey.
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The best thing about my car: It is very unique and not a common sight on SA roads, so it turns heads and sparks conversations with all kinds of people. I love cars but really enjoy how they are catalysts for meeting people. We have a WhatsApp group of about 30 guys who own a variety of classics. We do two or three road trips a year to places like Mpumalanga and Lesotho seeking out great driving roads.
The paint is 100 percent original. While it does have dents and scrapes from over 50 years of use, I love this about the car. Paint is only original once and this patina really adds to the character of the car in my opinion. Underneath an original exterior the car is as good mechanically as when it was assembled in Uitenhage in in 1969.
The worst thing about my car: It is 54 years old now and a rather rare car, so parts and especially good quality parts are becoming difficult to find locally.
Tech spec below the gallery…
1969 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback
Engine: 1,6 litre air cooled boxer engine with twin Solex carburettors
Transmission: three-speed automatic
Power: approx 34 kW
Torque: not a lot
Top speed: 160 km/h
0-100 km/h: 25 seconds
I love this car, and have bumped into you a few times, with my red fastback. I dread the day when I need to replace the windscreen. How do you order the windscreen from Turkey?
Hi Ryno. I ordered it through Volkspares in Jet Park