Volkswagen 411 E Variant

Vehicle Description

– 1971 Volkswagen 411 E Variant
– the top model of VW’s air-cooled passenger cars
– German delivery
– reportedly only one registered keeper
– unwarranted mileage of only 13,100 km
– has been part of a collection for the past 32 years
– air-cooled flat-four engine offering 59 kW (80 hp) and automatic transmission
– silver-metallic paintwork and red velours interior
– parking heater as standard, currently not working
– Becker Europa radio
– eye-catching cult car, fewer than 100 of its type registered in Germany in 2019
– very well-kept car in original condition

The Volkswagen 411, called “Nordhoff’s legacy” after VW director Heinrich Nordhoff, was the manufacturer’s first four-door model and their last passenger car with an air-cooled rear-mounted engine. This mid-range car, unveiled in 1968, was initially available as a 2-door fastback sedan. In order to be able to offer enough luggage space, a large boot had to be created in the front area. This gave the vehicle its nickname “Nose Bear”. In 1969 a station wagon version was released with the name “Variant”. The 411 had a self-supporting body, oval headlights and was the first VW model to feature MacPherson struts. Standard equipment such as reversing lights, fabric seats or, as of 1969, double headlights with H1 halogen lamps were intended to signal the higher status of the vehicle. Customers could choose from many optional extras. Engine wise, there was a carburetor version with 50 kW (68 hp) or an fuel-injected one with 59 kW (80 hp), both with 1.7 litre displacement. In 1972 the 412 was released, a facelifted model with numerous detail improvements. It was available with a 1.8 litre engine with 55 kW (75 hp) and, as of 1973, with 62 kW (85 hp). The engines of these models were completely redesigned and achieved remarkable performances for that time. Production ended in 1974 after 367,728 vehicles without a successor: The rear engine layout had by then been considered outdated.

Vehicle Overview