If you think back 50 years and think of Volkswagen, you see a Beetle in front of you. But in the 1960s, the automaker from Wolfsburg also offered other models, including the 411, which was intended to attract new customers in the luxury class. But the 411 was probably too close to the Beetle to be successful at the time, which makes it all the more appealing today, half a century later. This vehicle report describes the history of the Type 4 and shows it in current and historical pictures.

Volkswagen spared no expense and, above all, no effort to launch the third phase in the company’s history. After the Beetle, on which the company lived for decades, and after the 1500/1600 model series, the 411 represented the third passenger car variant that did not replace any of its predecessors.

Although the rear-engine design and the air-cooled boxer engine remained faithful, VW engineers made every effort to place the 411 a class higher and, above all, a whole class larger.

The wheelbase was extended to 250 cm and the new model was available with four doors for the first time. The real revolution, however, was hidden under the rather traditional dress: the 411 was the first Volkswagen to be self-supporting.

Because one was conscious of the requirements of the elevated clientele, the VW 411 had to bring along a trunk capacity usual for the class. This was not possible without compromises. Most of the luggage had to be stored between the front wheels, and to make sure there was enough room, the front was simply lengthened, which, together with the rounded headlights, earned the car the nickname “nose bear”.

There were also other innovations under the body, such as the independent front suspension with struts, wishbones and coil springs, and the double-jointed rear axle.

The “E” stood for electronically controlled fuel injection and power increased to 80 hp. The 411 LE model of the variant in particular shone not only with advanced technical and conceptual solutions, but also with an interior that was convincing at the time with Perlon velour, floor carpets, a time clock, a cigarette lighter, mirrors in the passenger sun visor, reclining seats, and pockets in the interior door panels, in other words, it had more jewelry and luxury overall. A particularly attractive extra, which cost just DM 17.76 for the 411 LE in 1969, was the timer for the auxiliary heating. This allowed the car to be preheated automatically in winter and, when set correctly, it did so with flying colors. After only 10 minutes, the car was warmed up so much that you could no longer stand to be in it, Simca reported in Mot. However, the auxiliary heating also caused additional consumption, which amounted to 0.2 to 0.6 liters per hour.

Many of its former advantages are no longer as effective today, such as the large wheels, which, together with the rear engine, not only guaranteed a lot of traction in the snow, but were also responsible for long tire mileage. The auxiliary heating is also less likely to be used today, as is the revolutionary diagnostic plug that Volkswagen pioneered at the time.

The last 411/412 have long since disappeared from everyday use, appearing at most at vintage car rallies or club meetings. Yet they have actually aged much better than some of their younger competitors. The Variant models in particular are immediately appealing. Most of them were still sprayed in the “right” colors, so they look very striking today. The 411 twin headlights with their chrome surrounds smile at passers-by; only very few will remember the days when the 411 stood next to them at the traffic lights.