This 1971 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback has a cool/custom style. But at the heart of it all is the hardy value that makes a VW such an attractive buy on the classic car market.

The Type 3 Squareback was Volkswagen showing off. The Beetle was the successful bread-and-butter car, and so the engineers created a vehicle that maximized the chassis. The long hood had the traditional European good looks, and while they called it a sedan, the profile had the same wagon appeal as a two-door Chevy Nomad. And this example really seems to keep the feeling of desirable German build quality. So to show off these lines even better, this example was painted a unique red metallic. There's enough pearlescent in the finish that the sunlight will even give it an electric-level pink from some angles. The finish has a good shine, but remember this is a driver's car, so there's nothing too fancy to prevent you from hitting the road on a whim. Tinted windows, an aggressive exhaust tip, and BRM Speedwell 15-inch wheels complete a very custom style.

The interior borrows the best from the others in the family. The high-back front bucket seats, Wolfsburg crest on the steering wheel, and the feeling of the gearshift will be familiar to most VW fans. But the updated gauge layout with three individual pods has a touch more sporty feel, like this German went to an Italian finishing school. Part of the Squareback's attraction is also how it gives you decent room in the back seat and a ton of cargo practicality.

Part of what makes this such a cool engineering marvel is how you can have a spacious trunk up front and a flat load floor in the rear. The nature of the flat-four motor and some clever layout updates meant that the motor doesn't take up very much space under the rear floor. This is also attractive because you have the same hardy engineering that went into the Beetle and Bus. This 1600cc motor fires up readily and makes that unmistakable classic air-cooled hum. A later Type 3 like this has an improved suspension design over the Beetle, and so it's quite a nice handler. Plus, you have the control of a four-speed manual transmission and front disc brakes.

This is the distinct Squareback that was built to drive. So if you want classic VW sturdiness in an eye-catching and useful packaging, you know this is your cruiser. Call now!