TheSamba.com :: View topic - I'm looking at a 71 411 for sale and need some advice...

Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:01 am

I need some suggestions from the group... I'm not actively looking for another VW or resto at this time, there's enough on my plate right now. However, I do keep my eye open for solid original cars and I have located one.

It's a 1971 411 4 door. It has original paint in great condition with a medium to large dent in the left front and rear right fender. The dents are "soft" in that no paint was scratched, they can probably be mostly popped back out. The car has 70,000 original miles. The interior is orignal and looks like it did on the showroom floor. The engine appears to be the original FI plant. It is extremely clean and tidy with all foam seals still in place. Under the front hood the original BN2 gas heater is clean as well as all the original carpet and wiring covers. All chrome appears to be original and nice. The car has the automatic transmission. It was sitting under a foot of snow when I looked at it. I had to brush it off and open the doors against the ice buildup. The owner didn't think it would start but even with the low battery it did fire up pretty easily. I think the FI system would need a going over, but I was amazed by the look of the components, no corrosion, no dirt, just clean original connections and parts. The car does drive and shift through all the gears, however because of the snow I didn't try driving it. I would make that mandatory before making the purchase. It did have all original glass, in good condition. The brake pedal felt firm. It would probably need a set of tires to safety. Even the exhaust system seemed fairly recent. Apparently this car was a 1 family car, inherited by a nephew in 2005 when it was put back on the road then parked...

The big question is what is this thing worth? I can get it for $2000. Considering the good running FI type IV engine, the working BN2 heater, and all the original trinkets I think this is a pretty good price. The big ticket item for me is the nice original sheet metal, paint, and interior. However, the type IV market is pretty small and they are pretty undesired. So what do you guys think? I would want this as a preservation piece, not restoration. I'd pop out the dents, tune it up, and run it as is.

Thanks in advance! Any and all comments are welcomed and encouraged. FYI - I live near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, so solid cars are a rarity up here...

Brad.

Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:07 pm

Go for it and never look back! Good Luck with your find.