Does Anyone Have a Type 4 VW, VW 411/412 Options

[Bullethead]

There was a family in our neighborhood that got a 412 around '72, they also had an Audi Fox. Clearly gluttons for punishment. I check avails on the Samba for oddballs (still searching for a '75/6 Scirocco) and never see more than a handful of type 4s for sale. Usually beat.

When new they were the most plush and expensive Volkswagen, now they're mostly forgotten.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=11

[Root_Werks]

I bought one back in 1986 or 1987. Drove it around for a while, it was a 412, blue with 4spd. Neat, but weird VW I thought back then. I bought it for something like $50 and pulled the motor and installed it in my 1966 Bug.

[KSCarrera]

Had two 411s, both LE automatics in Gambia Red with black interior. The second one was a one owner car owned by an old guy who worked for British Airways back in the days when it was BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation). He'd seen the 411 while out in the USA and ordered one at home in the UK with every factory option he could find. I got the Eberspacher gas heater working (it also had a timer to turn it on in the mornings) and loved that car. I collected every factory accessory I could (rear window blind was super rare as it was made specifically for the 411 sedan), along with NOS trim parts. Miss it...

[theer]

Wow- the VW 411/412- brings back memories. … the 412 was my very first car, and started me down a path to buying my first 914. The first 412 was an automatic wagon I bought for $200 from an Army Reserve guy. A military vehicle had backed into the right rear side panel, but otherwise is was still a POS.

Shortly after I bought a second- a ‘74 412, but this one was the Fastback, with the rare 4sp manual! It also had the gas heater, but I was too scared to use it. It had a separate tiny exhaust pipe coming out the side. I always thought the heater was behind the rear seat somewhere. Could be wrong.

I rebuilt the motor on this one, new clutch, etc. Put “fancy” Empi rims and “big” 185 tires on- I was stylin’! I found a used header and put that on too- Custom! No one saw the aluminum flashing, roofing tar & rivets I used to fix the holes in the floorboards. It worked- hard part was finding good metal for the rivets! With snow tires in the winter, I could go anywhere with

That car lasted me all the way through college. Sold it to buy a 1984 Diesel Golf because I had a long commute and was wearing a suit everyday to work.

Parts for the 412 were had to find back then already due to rarity. For example, i need a new clutch master cylinder. The parts guy looked it up and told me VW doesn’t make a hydraulic clutch! I had to buy a rebuild kit for some other car - BMW? - with similar design and bore.

Having rebuilt the 412 motor, I was drawn to the 914-4 for a project/fun car. Never could afford the -6. Still can’t. That was over 30 years ago. The 412’s are long gone, but I still own the 914.

Thanks for the memories!

[jjs3rd914]

I often have thought about if I would have kept mine, that putting a 901 tranny 5 speed in the car could have resulted in a slick ride. A 914 tranny would work I believe with a 911/912 nose piece and flipping the ring and pinion. A big job, and maybe at the end of the day not work it due to the lack of parts.

Anyhow I loved the one I had, and would have another if the lotto ever visits.

jjs3rd914

[flyer86d]

I ordered a new Westmoreland built Vw GTI in September 1982 and took delivery on Christmas Eve. The Salesman lived near me and offered to take the car when it needed service and would swap his demonstrator. Well, that was a VW 412 automatic. My commute was 45 miles each way so I got a good chance to put some miles on one. I loved the gas heater and the instant heat. It performed well for the time and frankly, I liked it. A manual would have been better though.

Charlie

[Highland]

Did the 412 have a type 4 like the 914 or a bus type 4?

I guess the only difference is the oil dip stick location, cam, and FI tuning?

[914sgofast2]

Did the 412 have a type 4 like the 914 or a bus type 4?

I guess the only difference is the oil dip stick location, cam, and FI tuning?

The 411's had the same 1.7L as the 1.7L 914's did. Don't know about the 1.8L in the 412 and whether it had Djet or Ljet fuel injection system in the USA.

[wonkipop]

Did the 412 have a type 4 like the 914 or a bus type 4?

I guess the only difference is the oil dip stick location, cam, and FI tuning?

The 411's had the same 1.7L as the 1.7L 914's did. Don't know about the 1.8L in the 412 and whether it had Djet or Ljet fuel injection system in the USA.

L Jet. slightly different configuration of components. all were full automatics. no manual 1.8. californian version was called an EC-D engine. not sure on 49 states. no info.
might have been an EC-C.

the 412 got the L jet approx 3 months before the 914 - which makes it the first production car to be fitted with L jet. 914 beginning production late oct 73 is the second if you want to split hairs and get down to months instead of years. there was 74 bus for california that was the third L jet - entered production 3 months after the 914. the opel manta was the fourth. 3 months after the bus in march 74.

all the european 412s did not have L jet. carbs instead. L Jet only in the USA.

there was a 74 412 with manual gearbox and that used the 1.7 D jet.
think it might only have been available as the 2 door fastback.
the wagon and the 4 door used the 1.8 and were auto.

[steve_1125]

Hi, just saw this. I have a 1974 412 Wagon and it's a 1.8. I have not had any trouble keeping it in original condition but now am finally parting with it (no pun intended). It is in prime condition but does need transmission work. That is just too problematic for me so time to sell or donate. Thesamba.com is a good source for Type 4s

Best, Steve

[Shivers]

Hi, just saw this. I have a 1974 412 Wagon and it's a 1.8. I have not had any trouble keeping it in original condition but now am finally parting with it (no pun intended). It is in prime condition but does need transmission work. That is just too problematic for me so time to sell or donate. Thesamba.com is a good source for Type 4s

Best, Steve

Donate? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)









lol

[Karl R]

Lovely car. Learned how to drive in one on a gravel road in Corvallis in 1969 or 1970. 25 years later picked up a 311, but it was not remotely as good a car to drive.

[914sgofast2]

See the VW 411/412 Forum over at the Samba.com for current parts availability information. Engine parts are same as our 914’s. Everything else is getting more and more difficult to source since they never sold very well in the USA.

[enf2232]

Almost bought a used 412 when I wanted to semi-retire driving the 914 on a daily basis. The gasoline-fueled heater scared the h#** out of me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) Got a new Jetta instead. 1983, I think.

yeah, its a scary thought having a head on crash with the heater going full bore.
it was in the frunk wasn't it!!!!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

Learned to drive in an Alaska Blue '73 412 wagon in 1974. If I remember correctly the gasoline heater had a timer on it. It was meant as a pre-heater until the engine warmed up and you got your heat in the usual manor. To this day still my favorite car.

[Freezin 914]

Hi, just saw this. I have a 1974 412 Wagon and it's a 1.8. I have not had any trouble keeping it in original condition but now am finally parting with it (no pun intended). It is in prime condition but does need transmission work. That is just too problematic for me so time to sell or donate. Thesamba.com is a good source for Type 4s

Best, Steve

Looks nice, and (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)