71 Squareback, what do you think???

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locoqueso
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71 Squareback, what do you think???

Post by locoqueso » Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:40 am

I found a 71 Squareback for $900 OBO. It "runs" and has about 129,000 miles. No brakes, so it would have to be towed. It's been converted to dual carbs. The owner claims it's solid, without much rust. It's about two hours away from me. I haven't seen it in person yet.

The squareback has been with the current owner for about two years. He dosen't know much about it past that point. States he bought it for his son, but they weren't interested in it so it hasn't been driven much. He had it sold for $1200 before the brakes went out.

Here are some photos...

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It's missing the driver's side mirror and I noticed what looks like mis=matched paint along the drives side. I thought it was a reflection at first, but it's visible in two different pictures.

My wife's been out of work for a while, so I may have to pass it up for lack of funds. I love the Squarebacks and it's been on my mind since I found the ad.

What do you think?
1978 VW Campmobile (P-21) Westfalia - T2 2.0L F.I.- 151,000m
1982 Mercedes-Benz Estate Wagon (300TD-T) - S123 3.0L T.D. - 142,000m
1993 Dodge Maxi Van (190 SLF) InterVec Falcon - B350 Magnum 5.9L F.I. - 70,000m

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hambone
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Post by hambone » Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:49 am

Looks good. I'd be suspicious of low-end rust though.
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Manfred
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Post by Manfred » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:09 am

Yea that might be rust repair. Check for bondo. But for not brakes and the carb conversion. I would offer 500 bucks, if the metal is good.
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RSorak 71Westy
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Post by RSorak 71Westy » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:49 am

the new paint along the lower half makes me very nervous about what might be hiding under it.
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locoqueso
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Post by locoqueso » Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:11 pm

Thanks everyone. I zoomed in on one of the photos and there is something going on down there...

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...some of the other pictures had the same bubbles. I think I'll pass on this one. Money is a little too tight anyway. My wife's been out of work for almost two years and our savings is getting low.

Here's the ad if anyone else is interested:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/1373532548.html

The guy said he just wanted it gone to make room in the shed, so you might be able to get it cheap.
1978 VW Campmobile (P-21) Westfalia - T2 2.0L F.I.- 151,000m
1982 Mercedes-Benz Estate Wagon (300TD-T) - S123 3.0L T.D. - 142,000m
1993 Dodge Maxi Van (190 SLF) InterVec Falcon - B350 Magnum 5.9L F.I. - 70,000m

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whc03grady
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Post by whc03grady » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:26 pm

No pop-outs and late steering wheel/gauges say it's a '72 or '73, not a '71. When a seller can't even get the year straight, it throws up a huge red flag for me. And what's with the early bumpers?
When, in addition to all this, the FI has been hacked out in "favor" of carbs, I think "pass" unless the body is very much tip-top.
I think you made the right choice.
Ludwig--1974 Westfalia, 2.0L (GD035193), Solex 34PDSIT-2/3 carburetors.
Gertie--1971 Squareback, 1600cc with Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection from a '72 (E brain).
Read about their adventures:
http://www.ludwigandgertie.blogspot.com

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tristessa
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Post by tristessa » Sun Sep 20, 2009 11:20 pm

whc03grady wrote:And what's with the early bumpers?
That's something a few of the "Kewl Kidz" have been doing for awhile. I don't get it myself, it's like they're trying to hide their superior late-model T3's in the herd of lesser early-model cars. It's like putting turd on a polished gem...
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