411/412 Standard, L & LE models

sbritt · Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 9:34 pm Post subject: 411/412 Standard, L & LE models

Maybe this has already been addressed at one time here in the forum, or is basic Type 4 knowledge, but what exactly are the differences between the standard 411/412 and the L & LE models? Just curious!
_________________
current owner of:
'69 VW Fastback "Jaunty"

previous owner of:
'74 VW Thing
'00 VW Golf
'04 VW Golf GLS
'72 VW 411 2 Door

Lahti411 · Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 12:21 am Post subject:

In the U.S. all models were L-spec but here in Europe there were two models: standard and L. Cars equipped with carburators were labeled as 411 and 411 L. Fuel injected models were 411 E and 411 LE. Latest, 1974 model year 412's with carburators were labeled as 412 S and 412 LS.
L- spec cars had several differences when compared with the basic model. They had fully carpeted floors (and rear cargo space in the Variant) when basic models had rubber matting. All L-models ahd also fully carpeted front trunk. Variant models also had all pillars covered with vinyl lining when the basic models' lining ended in the C-pillar. VAriant models had also different arm rests in the rear seat. Also the fabrics and faux leather used in these models were different. They had wider front seat back rests that could be equipped with adjustable head rest (basic model had hig back seats if head rest was chosen). Interior was equipped with clock and cicagrette lighter. L-spec cars had also wider door step trim, and chrome trim (aluminium infact) in the roof edge, sides and wheel arch.

This is what i could remember. Some of the differences i mentioned could be chosen as optional extras for the basic model. And i think there were some extras that could be chosen only if the car was L-spec.
_________________
My cars: 1972 VW 411 Variant; 1973 VW 412 4d sedan

sbritt · Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 12:52 am Post subject:

Thanks so much for the info, Lahti411! It seems like my 411 has most of the LE-model options you've mentioned, but it sports the regular 411 badge (not the 411 LE). I wonder if the original owner added these options at purchase or later on? I guess I could always get a birth certificate through VWs auto museum to see what the original package was.
_________________
current owner of:
'69 VW Fastback "Jaunty"

previous owner of:
'74 VW Thing
'00 VW Golf
'04 VW Golf GLS
'72 VW 411 2 Door

Lahti411 · Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 4:39 am Post subject:

Yes, i forgot to mention, the U.S. models never had L, E, LE, etc. badgin. They all had simply etiher 411 or 412 badges. And as far as i know, the wagon models didn't have the "Variant" badge either like the European models had.
_________________
My cars: 1972 VW 411 Variant; 1973 VW 412 4d sedan

sbritt · Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 2:17 pm Post subject:

That makes sense. Still, it might be fun to plop an "LE" badge onto my U.S. 411, but that might be cheating a bit.
_________________
current owner of:
'69 VW Fastback "Jaunty"

previous owner of:
'74 VW Thing
'00 VW Golf
'04 VW Golf GLS
'72 VW 411 2 Door

oasis · Samba Member Joined: December 12, 2002 Posts: 2168

Ha, my daughter has a Vento badge on her Jetta. And I like Supers with 1302 and 1303 badges even though I never did it with mine. Cool

_________________
Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

sbritt · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 1:51 am Post subject:

Here's a bit more of an explanation of the different models from "Volkswagens of the World," a book which I just received today in the mail. It's a pretty informative read, but I strongly DO NOT agree with the author who states:

raygreenwood · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 5:01 am Post subject:

I do agree that the curves of the 411 are slightly better looking....but the mechanical and aerodynamic changes to the 412 more than make up for the difference. I beleive the real difference was about 5* more static castor to the very late 411 and all 412's...and a good bit less lift inducing curve on the front end. It makes for noticably better handling at higher road speeds in crosswinds. Ray

vonkr · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 7:02 am Post subject:

Mike Fisher · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:00 am Post subject:

I think the 412 variant is the best looking VW ever built.
_________________
https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey

oasis · Samba Member Joined: December 12, 2002 Posts: 2168

I probably have an earlier edition of that book, but the author has owned Type 4's and liked them as I recall. I'm not sure any in-house Volkswagen was considered good looking until the Golf (Rabbit). (I say in-house to exclude the Type 1 Karmann Ghia which was considered quite stylish.)

(The pretty ugly pseudo-limerick was pretty funny Very Happy

)
_________________
Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

ubercrap · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 10:10 am Post subject:

I believe that Giugiaro designed the Rabbit/Golf I.
_________________
'74 412 wagon
(2) '74 412 2dr. sedan
'73 412 2dr. sedan

Lars S · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 10:43 am Post subject:

My favorite among these cars when it comes to the look is the 412 Variant.
I also adore the look of the other VW model shown down to the right in the book page above: the ESVW. Compare it to any car desiged in the early 70's and you will find it ultra modern - sad it never came into proiduction Crying or Very sad

/Lars S
_________________
Porsche 914 -72, Bahia Red daily driver Smile

VW411 2-d -70, White, sold Sad

VW412 4-d, -73, Gold Metallic, daily driver
Suzuki T500, -69, Candy Gold, sold Sad

Suzuki K50, -77, Black, daily driver
BMW R69S -69, White, sold Sad

Husqvarna 118cc, -47, Black, Sold Sad

raygreenwood · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 11:13 am Post subject:

KTPhil · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 4:02 pm Post subject:

One of the frustrations with the Type 4 was the lack of a 4-door wagon. The market for 2-door wagons is pretty small, as families want 4 doors. I never understood why the product line was not designed with a 4-door wagon in mind. The Type 3 had the same problem but never offered ANY 4-door.

sbritt · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 4:18 pm Post subject:

In the book, the author states:

Rome · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:37 am Post subject:

"Still, it might be fun to plop an "LE" badge onto my U.S. 411"

If existing sources do not explain for us in the USA, "L" stands for the German word for luxury "Luxus". "E" stands for injection, "Einspritzung".

My dad was a VP for Volkswagen of America's HQ in NJ during the 70's and got to drive the higher-end products as company cars, including a few 411/412s. Also was able to get type 4's for mom, so that I learned to drive on her "schoolbus yellow" '74 412 sedan. After the 412 production ended in '74, dad switched over to a '75 Audi Fox (4-door, miami blue and fuel injected) and then a '76 Audi 100LS.

germanclassics · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:44 am Post subject:

Such parts, like European badges, will Be available in the US fairly soon. We are working on that...

Lars S · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:42 am Post subject:

[quote"E" stands for injection, "Einspritzung".\quote]

Possibly the "E" stands for "Electronic"?
I have a vauge memory of seeing Type 4 (or Type3?) cars with a badge "Electronic" at the rear, anybody can confirm?

/Lars S
_________________
Porsche 914 -72, Bahia Red daily driver Smile

VW411 2-d -70, White, sold Sad

VW412 4-d, -73, Gold Metallic, daily driver
Suzuki T500, -69, Candy Gold, sold Sad

Suzuki K50, -77, Black, daily driver
BMW R69S -69, White, sold Sad

Husqvarna 118cc, -47, Black, Sold Sad

KTPhil · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:24 am Post subject:

No, the E was German for injection, as posted above.

Late Bugs had a FUEL INJECTION badge on the decklid, but id didn't say "electronic" either.


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