Date:         Sat, 24 Mar 2001 17:42:28 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Friday Question - Squarebacks (little Vanagon content)
Comments: To: Donna Stewart <DStewart@CHRM.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Donna Stewart wrote:

> Any advice/what to look for on a 1971 Squareback?  Hopefully I'll be looking at one over the weekend (probably driving my Vanagon to see it!)  I've always admired these but know little about them.  TIA,
>
> Donna & Lola-Lola (1987 Wolfsburg)

Have had some interesting trips in squarebacks.  About 20 years ago my wife and I and another couple used to drive from Chicago down to Key West each Christmas time.  Two people driving, two sleeping in the
back while driving straight thru during the night.  On the trip back we weren't usually in such a hurry, coming north to the cold weather again.

Might be worth checking the brakes.  The pistons in the front calipers would rust and seize up.  It usually took a large pry bar and lots of hammering and cursing to free them up.  For some reason air would
also get into the brake system during cold weather.  Bleeding brakes is another fun family activity.
  People find it hard to believe that VW put fuel injection in the 311 back in '68.
Have fun,
  Larry A.