Volkswagen: 71 volkswagen squareback, volkswagen squareback, fuel injection system

Question
QUESTION: Hi Ron,
I've found a 71 squareback and my daughter fell in love with it. I was wondering what questions I should ask about the car before buying. The interior is perfect, it has been painted once, supposedly because the owner didn't like the beige. He is asking $5500. Is this a good price?

ANSWER: Hi Laurie,

Can you tell me how many original miles are on it?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again,
The guy selling the car has a a tiny car lot specializing in antique cars. He got it from the original owner who garage kept it. This is what he's told me about the car:
The odometer shows about 50k. The previous owner put a new or rebuilt engine in it 8 to 10k miles ago. It had a rotted gas line which he replaced last month. I haven't seen any rust on the car. He does not know what else might have been replaced or repaired. The interior is perfect and untouched. I live in Alabama and this is the only squareback I've ever seen.

Answer
Hi Laurie,

My gut reaction would say that 5,000 is a fair price for this car.  It has a complicated fuel injection system for it's time. (unless it has been converted to a carb).

I would make sure that the brakes are ok, and the tires are as well.

The key thing to make sure that there is not a significant amount of body rot.

The good news is parts are fairly easy to get, and the prices are fair.

It sounds like you found a great deal. (for 5K!)

Let me know how you make out.

Ron