{"product_id":"authentic-vw-type-3-frame-head-oem-german-steel-refurbished","title":"VW Type 3 Frame Head | Squareback, Notchback \u0026 Fastback 1962–1973 | Refurbished OEM German Steel","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eVW Type 3 Frame Head | Refurbished Original German OEM Steel\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eType 3 frame head\u003c\/b\u003e is the front structural chassis section that houses the front beam mounts, the master cylinder mount, and the forward body attachment points. This is a \u003cb\u003erefurbished original German VW frame head\u003c\/b\u003e — sourced from a solid donor Type 3 chassis, media-blasted, and structurally inspected. It is the correct foundation for a serious Type 3 chassis restoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType 3 frame heads are harder to find than Beetle equivalents — fewer Type 3s were built, fewer survived, and fewer remain in serviceable structural condition. When we have one available, it's a real opportunity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eVehicle Fitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Type 3 Notchback:\u003c\/b\u003e 1962–1973\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Type 3 Squareback (Variant):\u003c\/b\u003e 1962–1973\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Type 3 Fastback:\u003c\/b\u003e 1965–1973\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW 1500 \u0026amp; 1600:\u003c\/b\u003e Type 3 chassis applications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWill NOT fit:\u003c\/b\u003e Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Bus, or any other VW. The Type 3 chassis is unique to the Type 3 model line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy Choose a Refurbished Original?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Type 3 frame head is a complex multi-piece stamping with critical alignment relationships between the front beam mount points, the body attachment points, and the master cylinder mount. Original German stampings hold these alignments correctly; even good reproductions are notorious for being slightly out of square, which causes problems downstream — front beam tracking issues, body alignment problems at the cowl, and master cylinder mounting that doesn't quite line up. Starting with a refurbished original German frame head saves significant fabrication time and produces a much better-aligned finished car.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOriginal German OEM:\u003c\/b\u003e Genuine factory stamping, not a reproduction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCorrect Alignment:\u003c\/b\u003e Holds factory relationships between beam mounts, body mounts, and master cylinder mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRestoration-Ready Prep:\u003c\/b\u003e Media-blasted and structurally inspected for cracks, alignment, and integrity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHard-to-Find Core:\u003c\/b\u003e Sourced from a solid donor Type 3 chassis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCondition:\u003c\/b\u003e Refurbished original German OEM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e OEM German steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePrep:\u003c\/b\u003e Media-blasted, structurally inspected for cracks, alignment, and integrity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eApplication:\u003c\/b\u003e VW Type 3 chassis (Squareback, Notchback, Fastback)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhy is the Type 3 frame head so hard to find?\u003c\/b\u003e Two reasons. First, Type 3 production volumes were always lower than Beetle — far fewer cars built means far fewer surviving donor chassis. Second, the frame head is one of the first areas to rust on Type 3s due to its location and lack of factory drainage. Sound originals are increasingly rare.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCan I weld this in myself, or do I need a frame jig?\u003c\/b\u003e A frame jig (or at minimum, very careful measurement and bracing during installation) is strongly recommended. The frame head determines front-end geometry — if it's installed even slightly out of square, the car will never align correctly. Most builders take this to a qualified VW or fabrication shop for installation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIs it ready to paint?\u003c\/b\u003e It's media-blasted and inspected. Most builders prefer to do final prep, any final fitting, and paint themselves during the broader chassis restoration. We deliver it ready for that next step.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDoes it include the front beam, master cylinder, or other bolted-on parts?\u003c\/b\u003e No. This is the structural frame head piece only. Front beam, master cylinder, brake lines, and all bolted-on components are separate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill this fit a Type 3 Variant (Squareback)?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes. Squareback (also called Variant in some markets), Notchback, and Fastback all share the same Type 3 chassis structure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat if my existing frame head is only partially rusted?\u003c\/b\u003e Some builders cut and section repair, splicing in original metal from a donor frame head. We can sometimes supply partial sections — contact us if you need a specific piece rather than the complete frame head.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilding a Type 3? Browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-type-3\"\u003eVW Type 3\u003c\/a\u003e for more model-specific parts, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/body-panels\"\u003eBody Panels\u003c\/a\u003e for sheet metal and structural components, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/chassis-1\"\u003eChassis\u003c\/a\u003e for the rest of your restoration foundation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Washburn's Metal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44710206636147,"sku":null,"price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/1775590073492.png?v=1775753956","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/authentic-vw-type-3-frame-head-oem-german-steel-refurbished","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}