Ken Davis and daughter, Megan share a passion for air-cooled VW’s. Ken caught the bug in 1964 when he bought his first car, a 1961 ruby red 1200 beetle. He went on to own a total of 4 beetles in the 60’s and 70’s and a new Golf in 1976.

When Ken and wife Wendy bought their 72 Wattle Yellow auto Super Beetle a couple of years ago Megan was quite impressed. “I want one, too”, she said, and so the search was on.

All through last year they searched for a suitable car, but no luck. The good cars were too expensive and the cheap ones, too rough. So when Ken’s dad decided to give up driving in September, Ken bought his very low kilometre 82 Laser. Megan was quite enthusiastic at first, but having been brought up on automatics she soon lost interest in the manual Laser, preferring to drive Wendy’s auto Camry.

Megan had not lost interest in a VW but had developed a particular liking for type 3 notches. So when a 72 Wattle Yellow Auto Notch was advertised in the club mag, Megan was right onto it. Megan dragged mum and dad off to have a look. The car was unregistered so could not be test driven, but the engine started easily and ran well, the auto transmission engaged promptly and smoothly, the body was very straight with no rust in the usual places, the paint very good, the interior not bad. Overall a very tidy car. After some negotiation on price, the deal was done.

The car was a one-owner car with 63,000 miles on the clock and had spent all its life in the Fairfield area. The previous owner had given up driving a couple of years ago and the car was mothballed.

The car was shipped home and the preparation work for registration begun. New shocks all round, new fuel lines, steering and brake checks, repaint wheels, etc, etc, etc. After about 100 manhours of work the car was booked in for its pre-registration inspection.

The car passed on the second attempt and was soon registered.

Once on the road the engine oil leak evident at the time of purchase proved to be massive. Boris fitted a couple of new seals and the problem was fixed.

It has to be said that the type 3 is an underrated car. It is superior to the Beetle in almost every way, roomier, more comfortable, faster and quieter. It just hasn’t got the instantly recognisable shape or charisma of the beetle. Parts are a lot harder to source, too.

Megan is enjoying the car and plans to participate in as many club events as possible. The car will be maintained in essentially standard trim with just a little personalisation.