1968 vw fastback

[Archie]

It's the next size up called a variant - brazil only model. We had a Brasilia here as well imported at the same time, but VW bought it and it's gone off to the museum in Stuttgart / Wherever it is.

If any of the wheels do tickle your fancy, let me know and I'll sort a price on them - something like these - http://www.justkampers.com/catalog/product/view/id/21989/s/rb-602-15602-standard-style-wheel-6-x-15-4-x-130-vw-beetle-1968-on/category/651/

or smoothies

http://www.justkampers.com/catalog/product/view/id/22588/s/rb-607-15-602-standard-style-smoothie-wheel-6-x-15-4-x-130-vw-beetle-1968-on/category/651/

[flc]

Thanks for that Archie , I'll have a good think about it. Is that where you work? How cool is that 

[Archie]

yeah I work here for me sins.

I know parts are limited, but if you need anything I can get you set up for a bit of discount or so

[morrag]

Back in 1972 me and the family went of to South Africa, me to work in a Steel works. Needing transport, myself and another guy I had met on the way out, went down to the only local car dealer, whose stock of for sale vehicles amounted to just two! one a V W Fastback like yours, same colour too, and the other, a white, Mk. 2 Cortina GT. Now we both fancied the VW, particularly as it had an air cooled motor, and it was rather warm on the High Veldt, so we flipped a coin for first choice...and guess what?.. I got the bloody Ford!! but to be fair I did drive it from just south of Jo. burg to Cape Town later...........ho, hum, nearest I got to buying a V Dub.. Morrag

[flc]

yeah I work here for me sins.

I know parts are limited, but if you need anything I can get you set up for a bit of discount or so

Nice thank you

[flc]

Back in 1972 me and the family went of to South Africa, me to work in a Steel works. Needing transport, myself and another guy I had met on the way out, went down to the only local car dealer, whose stock of for sale vehicles amounted to just two! one a V W Fastback like yours, same colour too, and the other, a white, Mk. 2 Cortina GT. Now we both fancied the VW, particularly as it had an air cooled motor, and it was rather warm on the High Veldt, so we flipped a coin for first choice...and guess what?.. I got the bloody Ford!! but to be fair I did drive it from just south of Jo. burg to Cape Town later...........ho, hum, nearest I got to buying a V Dub.. Morrag

Cool story,
Can't tell you if you missed out as I've never even driven a type 3
A guy I spoke to this summer has a South African 68 fasty ,that he was told was originally a police car down there . His car was rock solid and totally original, must be nice to not have them rot before your very eyes.

[morrag]

Similar to Southern California, they get battered but don't rot!! back in the day the diesel Mercs were Police favourites;D ..Morrag

[flc]

I think big merc's don't rust wherever they live
Been a crazy week on the fastback but some progress has been made... sort of
I've finally decided on wheels, been bugging me for the last two years
Gone back to the pretend Porsche wheels, I almost sold them as a guy was interested in the whole package
Wheels disks rear brake set up, as I was taking the pictures I realised it was all new or in perfect order, got me to thinking, just fit them and be done messing, plus the guy was in north Scotland so postage would have made it expensive, so we mutually agreed to leave it, and on they went

1968 vw fastback

But..... I'd fitted 165/65/15 up front( nice sized tyres , not too low) and had some healthy 195/50's for the rear
Oops turns out I should have checked (using this brilliant comparison site)
https://tiresize.com/comparison/
It allows you to put in two different sizes and compare them has pictures of them next to each other ( I played for ages on it ) turned out the rear wheels where loads smaller than the front

1968 vw fastback

Hard to really tell in this picture but I didn't like it, I had some full profile new tyres so tried them

1968 vw fastback

Better but too skinny for the size motor I'm running
Back to playing on the compare site for a bit   and decided to go for 185/60/15 which are half inch taller than the front and 1 1/2" wider , with the messing around done.. err I mean important decision made I got on with fitting the parts  

[flc]

Did one side at a time, the hubs/drums were already converted to five studs and just need the studs pressing bank in

1968 vw fastback

 then moved on to the fun bit off fitting all the shiny bits up front

1968 vw fastback

Archie also helped me out (bless him) with new flexi hoses for the front as I couldn't find type 3 specific ones
( turns out they are same as beetle) thanks Archie your a star  
Bits all fitted

1968 vw fastback

Lovely.
I may have an oval drum, not sure yet as still need to bleed up and test,
Which is where I'll probably find the master cylinder is buggered
So that's the story so far I now have enough spare tyres and wheels to start my own shop   and I'm not entirely happy with the fakes but they may grow on me... time will tell but at least it's another item ticked off the list
Some pictures

1968 vw fastback

1968 vw fastback

1968 vw fastback

1968 vw fastback

[Manky Monkey]

Loads of progress! Nice work Sir.

[stinkey]

If it was mine I think I'd save up for some taller wheels ? But I'm a fan of using what ya got !
Isn't it nice putting on new shiny bits though ? 

[flc]

Loads of progress! Nice work Sir.

Why thank you sir 

[flc]

If it was mine I think I'd save up for some taller wheels ? But I'm a fan of using what ya got !
Isn't it nice putting on new shiny bits though ? 

I know what your saying, the car will be a couple of inches lower once the motor is back in, so should settle down and lose the big gaps, I may end up adjusting the front ride height once it's sorted ( easy job on type 3's as they're on splines) but yes was lovely fitting all the shiny bits 

[Manky Monkey]

I keep forgetting it's rear engined!

[the coppersmith]

just reminded me of my old VW days. my old fastback with Porsche wheel trims and my never finished Hot engined Beetle sat in the garage. Looking at the picture of my son we think its 1982, that's when he dislocated his shoulder, first day home