VW Type III Automatic Transmission fit onto a VW pan based Speedster.

Due to a injury to my right leg, it is no longer safe for me to drive any stick shift. Can a Type III Auto Trans be "fitted" into a used replica. At this time I have no particular maker in mind due to the need for AT. Thanks

Nick,
The T3 auto trans has a different rear set up so you'd have to convert the entire rear suspension, etc... I think. But being that it is based on the same frame it's more than likely it doable. Barry Hudson has an auto trans in his, he may be able to offer some more specific info.

VW made a 3 speed auto stick that has the shifter on the floor,
the clutch is actuated via an electric - vacuum. solenoid valve that is triggered by hand pressure applied to the floor shifter, there is only a accelerator and brake pedals.
The auto stick system will bolt into the speedster, the motor will need the specific auto stick manifold, vacuum tank etc. ~Alan

The Type 1 used a 3 spd semi-automatic (no clutch pedal) and would be a simple direct retrofit. Parts are becoming hard to come by. It could be done in a day of wrenching.

Look up Barry Hudson a member on this forum. He has an auto.

Dave

Mickey is correct. We have recently done one with a full auto TIII and it required a complete custom sub frame from the torsion bar housing back, including a conversion from swing axle to IRS, custom half shafts, shift mechanism, etc, etc... It was NOT a cheap venture. Not to mention the cost and scarcity of the TIII parts in general.
I also believe Henry at IM has done a few.

Carey, as your water-cooled projects progress could that possibly be an option?

Lane,

The car is being developed for the 5 speed now, but we have talked about doing an automatic as well, so it is possible, but not on the immediate horizon.

Carey:

What's the possibility of dropping an A4 engine/transmission back there with a custom rear frame based on an IRS rear?

Keep it in the same orientation (sideways) as in the front of an Audi, maybe tilting it a little so it would fit under the hood, and a pair of custom CV axles to couple it.

I think I've seen a few of these on the Euro Speedster sites and they look pretty sanitary. Most based on this engine were turbo'd, too.

Not necessarily cheap, but something that several of us might tackle....

gn

:)

Sure is "perty"! ~Alan

you can still buy the axles new - from chrico. One is shorter than the other as the transaxle is offset.

Thank you eveyone who responded. I got more than information I received some wonderful suggestions and options. However as usual, cost is a factor and as are the availabilty of parts for AT's in the future. Thanks to all. Nick

Holy Crap! A turbo'd A4 engine in a speedster is the best thing EVER!!!
Carey,
Are you gonna have one at Carlisle?

Mickey,

Unfortunately we will most likely not be done with this car by Carlisle. Still waiting on a few of the tools to be completed... not to mention buried in 356C cab builds at the moment. Dad wasn't kidding when he said that car was a true "labor of love".

Here's entire AT type 3 rear section on Samba cheap -75!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=758242

Nick-Here's a link that might help; has a classified/"parts" section
http://www.vwar.org/forum/index.php

Add-Gearbox codes ref.: http://www.vwar.org/forum/index.php?topic=650.0
(always verify/cross-check p/n's + codes)

For someone in CAlif - here's complete T1 AutoStick shift setup for $50 on SAMBA (NOT MINE)

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=471296

These T1 AutoStick shift setups are becoming scarce this is a good deal. ~Alan

Nick,

You mentined in your post that the injury was to your RIGHT leg. If that's correct, your left should still be able to operate for the clutch, right? Then all you need to do is rig a steering wheel - mounted hand throttle and save all that money on an auto trans.

I had a 67 beetle with the semi-automatic. it was a terrible setup from what i remeber hearing was that they only made them for half a year and a few people converted the semi into regular manual cars.
It was a good car because no one could steel it, I was the only one who knew how to drive it. I lost a lot of power when shifting and it took forever to shift to.

"...........it took forever to shift"

(vac servo that controlled the clutch arm was out of adjustmen.) Adjusted correctly you could get a chip out of the tires as it upshifted.

Auto Stick's where great, adjustment of the shifter base points that controlled the clutch vac servo arm was critical. Other than that, the three speed was quick on the roads.
I have this set up in a '37 Jaguar SS 100 replica that I am working on for resale ..fun to drive.~Alan

Dad bought a new auto-stick in '68. I ended up with it in '71. It ran OK but was no speed demon. You couldn't rest your hand on the gear knob as the contacts in the shifter base would buck it like a bronco. One big drawback was it really was only a three speed. You only had 2nd 3rd and 4th gear and a reverse. Not having the low 1st gear, it was a sloooow start off the line. One problem I had was with the small wire for the elec. clutch exiting the base of the shifter would break. As the last strand of wire broke the car would go in and out of gear when you least expected it. That design really did suck.
~WB

'68 was first year for the 3 spd Auto-Stick shift (AS) - a different version went as far back as '61. Neighbor had a '69 AS that I bought for a cousin from UK here on internship. Slow off the line but fun to drive. Unlike a modern auto trans - you don't shift into drive and forget. So it doesn't constantly slip like normal automatic (fully-automatic like the T3). German's called it a SAXOMATIC. You have to stir the gears - up and down for any performance. On this one, weak point was that the reinforced rubber hoses were dried out and leaked. I dismantled rusty hulk when he was done with it - AS went to guy building a trike for "his momma." Apparently its ideal in a super light weight trike. According to exclusive AS web site - over 610k AS T1s (including Ghias) were produced.

http://www.auto-stick.com/

I still liked my Auto Shit Beetle :)