In the early 1960’s my father owned a couple Volkswagen beetles. Him being 6’2”, it was probably a matter of cost over comfort. In 1967 while coming home from my grandparents farm in rural North Dakota, we hit a cow and totaled our 1965 Beetle. My father used that insurance money to purchase a new 1967 Type 3 Fastback from the local VW dealer in Minot,ND. In 1975, My father sold this car to a local farmer for $750. The farmer’s son used it for going to school. I recently learned it was also used as an ATV to round up cattle.
Once pushed out of the barn, the car looked decent but not close to the plans I had for it. It had been “restored” by another local farmer. Paintbrush strokes and overspray were still visible and mice had taken residence in the interior. Although it would start, it would not run. After 38yrs and some dickering, I was able to bring the same car my father bought, back into the family.
When restoration began in 2013, we found both doors and nose cone crushed, likely from driving through fields and hitting cows. These panels were filled with inches of bondo. Dried window seals allowed water to leak into the interior causing major rust and mold. The further we got into the car, the more complex the restoration became. The motor didn’t run because a mouse and its nest caught fire causing damage to the cylinder heads. Over the course of more than 4 years, all rust was cut out and replaced with new metal. Every nut and bolt has been replaced or refurbished. The engine was rebuilt to 1776cc from the stock 1600cc. A custom tweed interior was installed along with new or reconditioned bright work. And finally the original Brunswick blue paint was replaced with Candy Brandywine.
Since completion in July 2018, the car has been shown in several shows winning 3 1st place awards in the Vintage Import category along with Top 20 People’s Choice Awards. The high point was when I brought the car back to its original home in Minot to drive in the North Dakota State Fair Parade with my father. The widow and son of the second owner were able to sit in the same car they had owned nearly 40yrs prior.
I am looking forward to a full car show season, driving my ‘67 Fasty, promoting classic cars whether foreign or domestic.
Lynn Pfenning
Andover, MN
Great job on the '67 VW Fastback, you really knocked it out of the park!
Beautiful Car and even better story Great Job !!
A 1967 type 3 was my first car (1970) White/ black interior. Brakes squealed so you knew I was coming. Put on headers and hurst shifter. I couldn’t afford the repairs at the VW dealership. So I sold it and bought...wait for it... a ‘71 Pinto! The car backfired at the carb, caught fire at the plastic air cleaner and was the end of that. At least the gas tank didn’t explode. My car selections have much improved.
Regardless of make or model, I appreciate the work it takes to restore a car to this level!
What a great story and a great job of restoration!! I worked at VW dealer when these cars were new! I have recently purchased a 66 and a 67 type 1 to restore at my shop, both are special years also. My young techs get a kick out of doing rebuilds on cars that I talk about when I was there age. The type 3's were really a great jump into the future for Volkswagen esp 1968 with fuel injection.
Truly awesome. Those are so under-appreciated.