Volkswagen Type 4
The VW Type 4 is a built 1968-1974 mid-size sedan from Volkswagen. The sales designation was first VW 411 (1968-1972), after a facelift ( with the optically adapted to the Brazilian VW 1600, new front section ) then VW 412 ( 1972-1974 ).
The air-cooled VW model ranges were numbered chronologically at Volkswagen. Since the start of production of the Transporter / Bus (Type 2) at the Wolfsburg plant in 1950 was later called VW Beetle sedan type 1 and published in 1961 VW 1500 Type 3 then
The (apart from 1979 had published VW Bus T3 ) last rear-engine redesign was initially as a sedan with two and later four doors available. Thus, the VW 411 is the first four-door car from Volkswagen. In the summer of 1969, the three-door station wagon, called the " Variant " was like the smaller type 3 and reached a share of about 50 percent of total sales followed. A five-door estate did not exist.
VW 411 (1968-1972)
VW 411 Variant ( 1970)
- August 1968: Start of production of the 411 in the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg. Features of the first series are headlights in an oval shape with two filament lamps for high and low beams.
- August 1969: The station wagon variant is offered. Better motor insulation. In place of the single oval headlights, all models round twin headlights with H1 halogen lamps. The front VW logo is offset from the trunk lid on the front panel. The 80 -hp injection engine replaced the 68 hp carburetor, which is not yet provided at the express request of or in connection with the automatic transmission. Engine block now consists of die-cast aluminum instead of magnesium.
- August 1970: trim on the dashboard does not apply to the L models in wood design. Automatic transmission now also available for the injector.
- August 1971: New four -spoke safety steering wheel. Reinforced door locks. Wiper switch is now on the steering column instead of a knob. New speedo design, scale now to 190 instead of 170 km / h New Goodies: brake booster, wiper intermittent control.
VW 411 LE Variant ( rear view)
VW 411 LE ( 1969-1972 )
Rear view
VW 412 (1972-1974)
VW 412 LS Variant ( 1973-1974 )
- August 1972: With the facelift, the label changes in VW 412 Numerous detailed improvements in the interior and technology. Reintroduction of the wood trim on the dashboard.
- August 1973: The 412 production is relocated to the VW plant in Salzgitter, because the tapes are needed for the new Passat sedan at the main plant in Wolfsburg. The 1.7 -liter injection engine is replaced by the 1.8 -liter dual carburettor models with 75 hp ( regular gasoline 91 octane ) and 85 hp ( super 95 octane ). Timer now with quartz control, enhanced fresh air blower, hand brake warning light and other minor improvements.
- June 1974: production setting without direct successor.
VW 412 LE Variant ( 1972-1974 )
VW 412 LS Variant ( 1973-1974 ), rear view
VW 412 two-door ( 1972-1974 ), rear view
Technology and equipment
The VW 411/412 based on the concept of VW Type 1 (= beetle), an air-cooled boxer engine in the rear and rear-wheel drive. However, the structure of the type 4 was not as heavily based on the VW Beetle as the smaller VW Type 3 The 411/412 had no central tube frame, but a self-supporting body. The Type 4 was also the first VW model with MacPherson struts at the front; one ( there rotating rod suspension ) rear trailing link axle was already in 1967 in the VW Transporter and VW 1500/1600 used with semi-automatic circuit.
The motors ( " flat Boxer " ) with 1.7 or 1.8 liter engine were completely redesigned and arrived with two carburetors or fuel injection for those days respectable performance of 50-63 kW ( 68-85 hp). The from 1969 available 80 - PS version had an electronic D- Jetronic fuel injection system from Bosch that a year earlier in the Type 3 (VW 1600 LE / TLE) was offered for the first time and a little later in the VW - Porsche 914/4 for use came. When transmission is a manually -shifting four-speed transmission or a three -speed automatic was available.
In order to create a competitive space while retaining the rear-engine concept, had to be accommodated a large trunk in the front. The necessary long front section of the 411/412 forced to optical compromises that inspired the nickname " coati ". Because of the already outdated at the time of presentation concept, the model after Heinrich Nordhoff, who died in April 1968 VW board chairman, as " Nordhoff's Legacy" and was named " Nordhoff's parting gift ". Others indicated the model name as " 4 doors, 11 years too late," after all VW Beetle and the Type 3 had been built exclusively as a two -door model.
As the hot air production over the past as the Volkswagen Beetle in the exhaust system heat exchanger ( " Heizbirnen " ) was not sufficient for the larger interior of the type 4, had this model standard with a gasoline- electric heater Eberspächer ( BA 4 with timer ). Also was a two-stage fresh air blower standard.
In general, the standard equipment of the 411/412 compared to the other contemporary VW models was very extensive and should emphasize the higher status of the car. Thus, the Type 4 front disc brakes, a hydraulically actuated clutch, three-phase alternator, reversing lights, H1 halogen headlights had (from 1969), radial tires and cloth seats. When L- model, there was also, for example, a clock, a dimming interior mirror, makeup mirror, velor carpets and interior full fairing, front reclining seats and more Chromzierat outside.
Popular optional equipment were, for example, front head restraints, rear window defroster, leatherette seat covers, seat belts, a sunroof and a programmable 24 - hour timer for the heater. During the construction period, the list of extras has been extended, for example to intermittent wipers for the windscreen wipers, air conditioning ( esp. the U.S. export models ), power brakes or steel sport wheels with wide tires.
Models
- 411 / L ( 1968-1973 ): 1.7 liter carburetor ( 68 hp / 50 kW)
- 411/412 (L ) E ( 1969-1973 ): 1.7 liter injection engine ( 80 PS / 59 kW )
- 412 / L ( 1972-1974 ): 1.8 liter carburetor ( 75 hp / 55 kW, regular gasoline )
- 412 ( L ) S ( 1973-1974 ): 1.8 liters, sports carburetor ( 85 hp / 62.5 kW, premium gasoline 98 RON)
(L denoted respectively the luxury amenities, which was the more common version sold in type 4 as the less popular in this class standard version)
In the six years of production, only 367 728 copies were built Type 4 - a low number for VW. This was certainly one of the reasons that the production was abandoned prematurely in June 1974 to set without successors ( the Passat was in 1973 formally successor to the smaller Type 3: VW 1500/1600 ). Together with the VW K 70 is the VW 411/412 emblematic of the model politically turbulent time in the early 1970s, when VW switching to a completely different vehicle designs was with water-cooled front engines in preparation.
Today's vehicle inventory
The stock of the BKA approved registered vehicles amounted to 550 pieces, including 113 two-door, four-door 138 and 299 pieces Variant in 2001 ( Germany ). 2010, the total stock amounted only to 388 pieces - about 0.1 % of the once -built 367,728 vehicles. Reason for the low degree of conservation in addition to the very small circle lovers enormous corrosion problems. VW was ejected the cavity between the metal sheets with a foam moisture stores. In addition, the car had no front inner fender, so dirt and rain water got into the whole area between the fender and the trunk, where it caused unnoticed considerable pitting. The air-cooled engines reached at speeding driving only low mileages. Another reason was the rapid loss of value especially from the beginning little popular sedans: younger wrecks were not repaired often, as the strong type 4 engines 914 desires to be installed in the VW-Transporter/Bus and the VW - Porsche were. On top of that the beginning of the 1970s, many VW workshops were overwhelmed with the maintenance of the new electronic fuel injection.
The classic car scene is struggling today with the VW 411/412 especially with the precarious situation of spare parts; there are few equal parts to the widely used models beetle and bus.
Originally developed exclusively for this car air-cooled boxer engine was ( with later extensions on engine capacity up to two liters ) in 1979 introduced by Volkswagen VW Bus / Transporter (VW T3) still used until its conversion to water-cooled units in 1982. Even the 2.0 -liter injection engine with 90 or 100 hp the VW Porsche 914/4 is based on the 411- unit. Porsche put the engine type 1976 in an embodiment having two liters of displacement in the 912 E a. Here, the machine of a Bosch L- Jetronic was supplied with fuel and made 63 kW (86 hp).
At Volkswagen do Brasil four different vehicles were built from 1971 onwards, the VW 412 visually similar to: VW Brasília (Engine: Type 1, has similar VW Karmann Ghia Type 14 and Type 181 VW Beetle a widened chassis, was also at Volkswagen de Mexico produced ), the VW 1600 Variant (Engine: Type 3 ), the VW SP2 (Engine: Type 3 with 1700 cm ³) and the VW Variant II (Engine: Type 3). Only the Variant II has a front MacPherson strut axis similar to that of type 4 can still see Brasília and Variant frequently on the road in Brazil.