TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Sep 02, 2003 9:15 pm

Why is the 411 not very desireable? I have the chance to buy a 1972 411, Should I? Just to get the Type IV engine? Or to say that I have owned one. I will of then owned all types.

It is an older couple that just wants to get rid of it. $100.00 they said.

Tue Sep 02, 2003 9:52 pm

The engine is worth more than that.

Tue Sep 02, 2003 10:02 pm

go check out the forum on www.shoptalkforums.com and get with a guy named Ray Greenwood... he's the most knowlegeable person I know of on the actual type 4 car...

if it is not real rusty i'd say get it .... they are cool IMO in a real wierd VW kinda way....

Tue Sep 02, 2003 10:03 pm

If its an original owner runner, I say Shityeah!
Can be a bitch to keep on the road, but $100?
How can you not?

Tue Sep 02, 2003 10:40 pm

They are going to give you a $100.00 to take their 411/412! Hell ya Dude, Go for it! 8)

Tue Sep 02, 2003 10:41 pm

Thank you keifernet.
Shoptalkforums.com has ton of Type IV info.

Wed Sep 03, 2003 8:18 pm

$100 bucks!!! Hel yeah you should get one. $100 is worth just being able to say that you have owned one!

Wed Sep 03, 2003 9:49 pm

A restored 411 is a nice ride.

Thu Sep 04, 2003 12:30 am

i used to own one,one owner car,80,000 origanal miles auto trans,and boy was that car fast!!! .....i miss it. :( $100 bucks sounds like a steal,snap that car up!who cares what the general vw public says....Louis

Thu Sep 04, 2003 5:12 pm

$100! You had to ask if it was a deal? It should be in your garage by now!

Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:18 pm

For $100 that car would already have been in my yard and I'd be explaining to everyone why exactly I *needed* one more car.

The 411 got a bad rap when it came out because it was different. Just like the Super Beetle. My brother just picked up a 71 411 4Dr Fastback and it is a really nice car. It has been challenging and fun to source parts and dig up information the car as well.

Hope all goes well with your purchase.

Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:27 am

Thor wrote: Why is the 411 not very desireable?

The Type 4s acquired a bad reputation probably because of shortcomings when they were introduced, most of which are irrelevant decades later (expensive, poor dealer support, etc...). They were also a major departure from previous air-cooled VWs. They lacked the rugged simplicity of the earlier air-cooled offerings and have style which is avant-garde and somewhat cold, intellectual, and aloof compared to the irresistible charm of the Beetle.

This is a car for the person who does not care what "the crowd" or what "early VW" snobs think, period. Parts require effort to find (or find substitutes to adapt for your use), or fabricate. They are somewhat complex and unforgiving. Expect to never, ever recover your money- you may never even be able to find a buyer for it. Keep this information in mind when you make a decision.

Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:49 am

VW's timing and execution were really bad at that time. They just didn't seem to understand the American market. At a time when American automaker were trying to force people into yacht like cars and people were revolting and trying to find something fun to drive again, VW came out with their own semi yacht.

Early T-4's with a 3.61(?) rear end and a 1700 rpm stall they were just dogs off the line and could burn up the tranny in seconds trying to back up a hill in reverse. They were also noted for having lots of engulfing fires.