Swallowtail?

[scoob02]

Just wondering what is actually meant by the term swallowtail and how to spot one?

Thanks in advance

[572]

From www.swallowtail.info

Helped me understand as well!

[evorobin]

According to this ad

"VW GOLF 3 DOOR SWALLOWTAIL 1976, RARE AS ROCKIN HORSE #%IT"

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/VOLKSWAGEN/GOLF/details.aspx?Cr=3&State=Victoria&R=5509320&state_id=82&__N=4294962746%2082%20408%204294962677%20834%20285%20257&silo=1003&distance=25&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal%7C0%7C%7CpCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1&Make=VOLKSWAGEN&trecs=25&seot=0&PriceMax=10000&__sid=11499600BCA5&Model=GOLF&sort_type=2&__Nne=20

I just bought one and I agree they are rare

[Golf Loon]

Use the search feature you new blokes please

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=1399&highlight=swallowtail

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=19&highlight=swallowtail

There are plenty of other references.
Basically it has a different rear panel under the taillights than all other Mk1s and has a few other unique features.

[Pete Mk1]

Swallowtail website, yes there is!

http://www.swallowtail.info/

maybe this site can aide information for you.

[Golf Loon]

The oddities list on that site is very interesting Pete.

My 6/76 model has a lot of those features which later Mk1s do not.
I reckon they sent hepas of the early parts to Australia for assembly here, which is why there is such variation in the parts.

I have seen lots of the diagonal doorcards and door pull handles on later golfs. The handles look aftermarket but are all the same and fit into factory screwholes.

The VW Bathurst racing golf is a factory delivered 1976 and was never road registered and is definately a swallowtail.

[Jarred]

I'm with Matt, mine's (complianced) 9/76, but I have alot of early parts as well. ie, diagonal door cards, and pulls, early bonnet, and a few others.

Being made in Australia, I don't doubt we had mismached parts, although it would seem odd, but explainable, I geuss.

On a rarity note: I don't think they are actually that rare. I've seen a few for sale and in real life that were swallows, maybe 1 in 5 or 6 is a swallow. So I wouldn't really say they are rare as rocking horse shoes. I've actually seen less post 1980 cars I reckon.

[Golf Loon]

On a rarity note: I don't think they are actually that rare. I've seen a few for sale and in real life that were swallows, maybe 1 in 5 or 6 is a swallow. So I wouldn't really say they are rare as rocking horse shoes. I've actually seen less post 1980 cars I reckon.

Thats the opposite of everywhere else in the world mate.

Checkout how rusty the American ones are in the pics on that website. Thats what the pommie ones are like now too. Aussie climate is pretty kind to em considering.

[Jarred]

yay for not having salt on our roads really i think. that's the main problem OS I thinks.

[Preen59]

yay for not having salt on our roads really i think. that's the main problem OS I thinks.

Thats correct, there Susan . Some people have summer and winter cars. They don't bring their 'good' cars out during the winter due to the salted roads..

[Oneofthegreats]

Some people have summer and winter cars. They don't bring their 'good' cars out during the winter due to the salted roads..

My uncle enlighten me to this after my GTI was smashed.

Car's just a car. Bloody use it I say.

Otherwise it just sit's there & just say when you do use it (maybe once a month or two) it happen's to get damaged, then you sit there & say "I should have used it more often!"
Where as you use it all the time, then you are alway's getting enjoyment out of it.

This is coming from a man who's owned several Falcon GT's incl. a Phase 3 HO. His everydayer for a few years was a XW Phase 2 HO. This is also going back a few year's now.

It's funny, toward's the end I was using my GTI all the time for a runabout, & even letting other people use it!

[WABIT]

It's funny, toward's the end I was using my GTI all the time for a runabout, & even letting other people use it!

and so you should mate!!! nothing worse than building a car and not driving it... then its too late

thats why im building mine.... and yes.... i will be hammering that thing!!!!

i say why not... you only live once

wabit

[Jarred]

yea go for! so what happens if you bugger up a 1600, gah chump change, get another one in there STAT!

bahahahahah


Funny thing is with the salted roads. in 20-30 years time, all the "winter" cars will start to rust. not as bad as mk 1's due to advance's in rust protection etc etc etc, but then some poor kid will be cutting the rust out and using it as a summer car to save the bloody thing! hahahah the irony!