Smiles per hour behind the wheel

DAS AUTO... The car, Trevor Mackenzie's 1971 Volkswagen Type 3 Fastback Sedan, is a source of joy and stunning on the eye. Photos: Struan Jones

WHEN you think of yesteryear fastback coupes in Australia, you probably don’t picture a Volkswagen.

The iconic VW Beatle comes to mind, perhaps, but what followed was the Volkswagen Type 3, an air-cooled rear-engine, rear-wheel drive model of sedans and station wagons produced in Clayton from 1963.

A sleek Fastback model, produced in Germany, made its way to these shores from 1965, representing a more modern design for the company which had started producing the Italian-inspired Kharmann Ghia.

Despite its modern mould, the VW Fastbacks never really took off here. It wasn’t long before they were competing with the first generation of Holden Monaros and deep-throated Falcons.

Shepparton’s Trevor Mackenzie, an optical technician, is the proud custodian of a white ’71 Fastback, acquired by his son as a repairable write-off in Sydney in 2014. Once the father/son restoration project came to fruition, the keys changed hands to Trevor’s wife.

“She calls it her car, although I maintain it, look after it, and do most of the driving,” Trevor said with a smile.

The car is an eccentric compilation of design quirks. It’s a driver’s car, but requires a concentration that mostly lapses in modern cars.
The 1600cc flat four motor is more than capable for highway speeds.

“We’re able to take it on longer trips. We’ve been down to the Great Ocean Road or off for long weekends. It has two boots in it – both front and rear – which is good,” Trevor said.

The cabin has a minimalist interior designed simply for driving. The speedo sits squarely in front of the driver, with other gauges off to the sides. Trevor has a modern radio installed, along with a windscreen-mounted sat-nav which displays the car’s speed in the more decipherable kilometres-per-hour.

The common theme from Trevor was that this is a fun car to drive, which is a trait lost on most drivers. When you appreciate every minute behind the wheel, you know you’re driving the right car for you.

If you, or anyone you know, is passionate about their car, motorbike, bicycle, or wheelbarrow (basically anything with wheels), please get in contact with The Adviser at editor@sheppartonadviser.com.au. Happy driving!