1974 Volkswagen TYPE 3 SQUAREBACK

What we have here is a genuine circa 31½k-mile original example. The vendor Stuart is a self-confessed air-cooled Vee-Dub fan, and bought it just before lock down. “This is the one I’ve never owned, and I looked for ages to try and find an unmodified one.”

Unfortunately (or fortunately), as well as his longing for all things VW, he also likes a certain marque hailing from Newport Pagnell. “I’m in the process of trying to buy an Aston Martin Vantage, hence the money from the VW is now needed.”

Oh and he’s also just about to lose his garage facility, which cemented his decision to sell. Stuart’s pursuit of his dream car means that this very original example is now for sale.

The included V5 document shows that this factory RHD Variant has had a total of three owners in the UK, and was declared manufactured in 1972 (the last year of production). Our man takes up the story, “the history was verbally passed on to me: the first owner brought it over from Germany and registered it in the UK in January, 1974. The second owner had the car in dry storage for 15 years before it got to the chap I bought it from. It was over-Waxoyled, and a lot of it had to be removed – the good news is that during storage it protected it from corrosion.

“He was a bit of a dealer so never registered himself as an owner. During re-commissioning he took out the original 1500 engine and put in a twin-carb 1600; the good news is that the original engine comes with the car, so if the next owner is a purist it can be re-fitted.”

Since buying it Stuart has had a complete oil change completed and, although it didn’t require it, put it through an MOT test that it passed with no advisories. He’s also had the carburettors stripped and rebuild, so it’s running v. sweetly.

He’s also throwing in four-ply outdoor cover.

“It wears its original paint colour of Texas Yellow, but may have had some paint at some point as it’s in really good condition. There are some minor cracks here and there,” says Stuart.

These consist mainly of a few chips to the wheelarches, a bit of crazing around a door handle and touch of minor flaking around the number plate casing – patina aplenty.

“The panels are 100 per cent straight and the gaps are amazing – certainly the best I’ve seen in terms of an old Vee-Dub. Overall, it’s very good for a car not far off 50 years-old.”

The chrome is in excellent condition and you’ll find a handy tow bar fitted. Perhaps the next owner should buy another Type 3 and construct a funky lookalike trailer – just an idea!

It wears its original wheels and they look mighty fine. The tyres have plenty of tread remaining, and you’ll find a VW-branded mudflap fitted behind each rear wheel.

There’s room inside for all the family, which of course makes it an ideal starter classic for anyone with a partner and kids. Just imagine the fun that could be had visiting a VW show on a lazy summer’s day.

In the cabin you’ll find the original black weave vinyl and, thanks to sporting seat covers from new, it’s in amazingly good condition – save for one tiny split. The original steering wheel also remains in place, as do the carpets. In fact the only non-original item is the stereo (and that functions perfectly).

All electrics work just as they should and for a bit of extra security an immobiliser is fitted behind the driver’s seat. The ‘Squareback’ shape means it sports a huge lug loading capacity, making it equally practical for transporting DIY, dogs, sports equipment or the family and a plethora of luggage.

“You’re never going to break any land speed records in it,” states Stuart. “Or drive 600 miles up the motorway in it – it’s more of a leisure cruising car. The engine felt a bit lumpy when I first bought it, so I had the carburettors rebuilt on the advice of a VW specialist.”

He says that it drives “really well”, and as the car is now here at The Market’s Abingdon headquarters we can confirm that it’s impressively tight and together on the road. Stuart adds, “The steering, braking and gearbox are all really good, too.”

The underside looks very well protected and a quick flick through our photo gallery below should endow potential bidders with confidence. The engine presents reasonably well, if a touch grubby, but a quick detail will have it looking smarter in next to no time.

Of course you could just re-fit the 1500, which looks cleaner – although that may be a touch excessive just to avoid a bit of elbow grease on the 1600!

Most of the history has been passed on verbally between the owners. That said there are a number of documents in the history file. These include: a receipt dated 23/11/19 for re-commissioning costs of £504.85 from Vee Dubs of Kent, the current MOT certificate (runs until 13/4/21), another receipt for £1704.00 from BOXD LDN dated 1/12/19 for very detailed paint renovation (so it could very well be original, after all!) and new rubbers all round.

In addition to that all the original manuals are included, as well as Stuart’s most recent invoices for the rebuilding the carburettors and getting the engine running as it should – total cost £649.36 (£400 and £249.36).

There are also two keys.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained and re-commissioned to a very high of standard.

What a charming survivor. We do love an air-cooled VW here at The Market and this rarity is definitely not one of the usual suspects, which means it’s had plenty of attention since it arrived. Quite simply it’s a car that makes you smile.

Stuart has done minimal mileage in the car (probably only 30-35 miles he estimates) since buying it, so if the next owner fettled the 1500 unit and put it back in, then it would return it to 100 per cent originality.

Of course they may prefer the extra oomph that the higher power unit offers (54bhp rather than 45bhp!), and keep it as is. Either way we reckon £10k to £14k ought to secure this highly original Type 3.

“It’s a great thing,” says Stuart. And we agree.

Final point, and it’s a serious one: if we bought it, then in that colour we’d have very real difficulty in not endowing it with the nickname Spongebob Squareback.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located at The Market’s Abingdon headquarters; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.