There’s no doubt about it, the last luxury rear engine air-cooled VW is an acquired taste, but with good examples becoming more rare, now might be the last chance you get to pick up a 411/412. Here’s a model lowdown…
Available from 1968 in two- and four-door guise, as well a huge estate, despite being styled by Pininfarina no less, the 411 wasn’t pretty. It had none of the charm of the more delicate Type 3 – and at over 14ft 9in long you couldn’t exactly miss it. Yet, there’s something about it that intrigues. It’s just so different to what went before, and technically it broke exciting new ground for Volkswagen.
Indeed, everything about it was on a different scale. It was VW’s largest car at the time and boasted its biggest capacity engine, initially a 76bhp 1679cc unit that sat hidden beneath the rear boot floor. Bosch D-Jectronic fuel injection was added from 1969, when power jumped to 80bhp – these models being identified by the letter ‘E’ for Einspritzung. It was the same engine as used in the 914 of the same era. At around the same time, twin headlamps replaced the totally distinctive single oval units.
Luxury was always the key word with the 411, of course, and the LS model even boasted adjustable lumber support – now that’s got to be a first we imagine for the German brand. The fact that there was no central tunnel and a front and rear boot that provided a mahoosive 20cu ft of luggage space were other important assets, making the inside feel incredibly big and spacious.
Underneath the 411 was equally ground-breaking with its built in crumple zones and Porsche inspired fully independent suspension featuring MacPherson struts and a double jointed arrangement at the rear – just like the 911. The spanking new setup paved the way, of course, for its use on the 1302/1303 Beetle.
The 412 (below) replaced the 411 in August 1972 having been given a makeover by Brooks Stevens which changed the look of the front end. In 1974 engine capacity grew to 1795cc and the fuel injection system on the 412LE was ditched in favour of twin carbs, the engine later being used in the first T25. The model was discontinued later that year after a total of 367,728 had been produced over a six year period.
Today good examples are few and far between, although we spotted a nice looking 412 Variant for sale in Holland at €9000. Body condition will be the real clincher as we suspect body panels and trim may be difficult to get hold of. A good place to look for one would be the Type 3&4 Club. Otherwise, you might get lucky on the nation’s favourite internet auction site. After all, they are no where near as sought after as the Type 3. Yet…
Ian
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage.
I owned a 71 411 in 78. Ugliest car I ever owned. But it was roomy, comfortable, reliable, good on gas and unique.
Es un auto raro pero marca un punto importante en la historia de las variants.
I had a 412 LE. Fantastic car with 2 small kids, when going on holiday all the luggage fitted in the front boot and we would lower the back seat giving a huge flat area for the kids. A mattress and blankets and their toys and they had a ball. Obviously this would not be allowed these days with the strict Child safety seat laws.
En la actualidad tengo un 4111 1971 el que restaure al 99.9% ya que me falta una parte de la luz trasera derecha la que no he encontrado aun.
En la búsqueda de partes para mi 411 encontré una 412 1974 la que también compre y estoy apunto de dejarla al 100%
Si alguien sabe donde puedo encontrar algunas partes para estos modelos se los agradezco mucho.
Roberto candiani
Hola como estas.. curiosamete apenas compre un 412 1974 completo pero aun a si he descubierto que son bien rraros y que no hay partes para estos carros y bueno yo hestado haciendo alugnas investigacines .. mandame un mesaje a mi pagina de vws se llama
Sacra Vochos
y estamos en facebook .. sale un logo de rojo azul y vocho en medio.. me Llamo Christian .. mensajeame y te digo lo que he encotrado como referencia a lo que estas buscando..
I worked for Volkswagen GB from 1967 through 1974. During that time I had several 411s and 412s as company cars. Ugly? Yes! Driving experience with a young family? Superb.
My favourite? A 412 LE Variant in Cobalt Blue with grey interior. Slightly breathed on courtesy of Volkswagen (North London) Ltd – an importer owned retail outlet – not a huge gain in performance But…!
…driving through the Hyde Park underpass at night. Wow. Pure aural magic!!
I loved my 412 that I bought new in 1974. I never felt it was underpowered, I loved the storage space, and as a young Dad with two kids and a big dog it worked wonderfully for us as a family car. Even when child number three was born, the 412 worked for us. When child four came along, then the 412 had to go and was replaced with a three row Suburban. The only issue I ever had with the 412 was the a/c unit, which never seemed to work right, and when I lived in South Texas was certainly a necessity. More than once a mechanic would look puzzled and ask me if this car had an engine!
Learnt to drive in a 411le which dad bought in ’72. Once got the keys it served as a night express to impress the ladies which I recall it didn’t!
I do remember front seats very comfortable but back ones !!!! (See note above)
Mike