Wow super nice wagen on Ebayers!!!!!!

[vwbill]

Item number 390260806272 .

[raykinsella]

Wow!! I'd say that car is as nice as mine - but what about that price?!?! Plus it lists the car's mileage as "0" and says nothing about engine rebuilds or any other major maintenance over the years. Also, there's no pictures of the engine compartment. Still, I'd love to fly out to St. Louis and drive that baby home. Then I'd have four type-fours (and probably be single again...)

[raygreenwood]

Not as nice as you might think. yes....very very nice....but not $12,000 perfect. Forgetting everything that will have to be replaced due to age even with "0" mies (virtually all suspension rubber and the struts and shocks)

Look closely at the pictures:
Pic #2: passenger side hood gap is wider. The fender ebasing is pulling loose on both sides under headlights and has a gap on teh passenger side. I'm betting the fender was off for repaint or repair

Also: non-metallic yellow was uncommon for a 73 412...and the paint is dull compared to factory solid paint

Notice also in picture #4: missing antenna and grommet...also similar to what is removed during repaint

Pic #6...closer view of gap in hood fit and fender welting issue below headlight

Pic #8: again...passenger side hood gap and fender welting

Pic # 11: rear hatch gap is off

Note: no gasoline heater tailpipe?

Pic #12: appears to be slightly bent "fence" by tailpipe...easily forgiven

here is the giveaway to a repaint:

Pic #23: notice the vertical line/groove on the lower rocker panel....as ity passes under the chrome strip.....is filled in farther....which is common when reapplying "rock guard" coating for a repaint

Picture # 24: notice the rust bubble above the fender flair...and rhe brighter yellow from masking at about 2:00 on the fender flair.

The interior is gorgeous....but the front carpet has been replaced and the heel pad reapplied to new carpet.

The trunk...is a slightly different shade of yellow....but is perfect

Overall...this car is gorgeous and all being said....is probably a great restoration. But is not "0" miles by any means. Due to the rust bubble ..which implies leakage ...which is normal....I would say that even if it had '0" miles...as some point it was stored poorly.

Worth it to have...surely...yes! For $12,000....no. I would say $6500-8500.....and teh real story behind the minor flaws it has. Ray

[raykinsella]

Great points, Ray. What do you think they mean by "0" miles - does that mean it's been stored its whole life, never been driven?

[raygreenwood]

I'm thinking so. And...that is very hard on cars just in different ways. Usually suspension is shot...and the engine must be stripped andcleaned to get the congealed oil out of the rings and galleys before driving it.

Or...and I have heard this before....at vintage autcion houses...most of those cars are "certified" restorations. meaning all NOS parts, all original paint materials etc....done by a restorere with a known bonafied reputation and knowledge of the vehicle. Many will call a very low miles ...like undre 5,000 to 10,00 miels car...that has been stripped to the pan and restored with all NOS parts and paint...a "0" miles car. You will have no real way of knowing. Ray

[raykinsella]

I emailed the sellers to ask for more pictures - engine and instrument panel - and he said he'd have those pictures up later today. So far, no pix. It is very interesting that there is no heater tailpipe on this "new" 412. Of course most used ones have the heater and tailpipe removed, but I would expect it to be on this car - and to be operational!
I can't get over how nice those front seats look. I've had five type-fours; in four of them the front seats have been duct-taped and have had wool seat covers pulled over them. Of course in Sparkie the seats were reupholstered in that black&white cloth material and look and feel real nice.
I wonder if anyone will buy this 412 at the asking price? I doubt it. But I can't see a fancy dealership like this coming down very much.

[Bill K.]

It looks nice, but a shame it has 0 miles. What kind of fun is that? Oil puddle in pict 16? Probably needs to stay parked so we can enjoy the asthetic beauty in all it's glory

[vonkr]

When you read the text carefully I assume that the car has been driven, but how long / how many miles
it's not there. But I think Ray is right that the car is been "restaurated" (correct word?)

It looks nice, but when I have that amount of money, I don't know if I buy a type 4... (don't shoot me... )

[Sneaks]

Does anyone else find it comical you can get a 5 year\100000 mile warranty on this car?

[kps70]

I noticed that warranty - funny!
Now, if that was a 411 with the steering wheel on the correct side and eberspacher, I'd be down to the bank manager for a loan
Kieron

[danomight]

That is one nice 412. But way too much money for me. Although it does make me want a wagon now.

Where did they get the "one of only 2,200 produced!"? Wasn't there allot more wagons that that?

Dan

[Lars S]

Where did they get the "one of only 2,200 produced!"? Wasn't there allot more wagons that that?

Yes, there were a lot more wagons than that produced! Its hard to know what they mean, my guess:
According to The Sambas Technical section some 3598 cars (412's) were sold in the US in 1973. 2200 of them (about 60%) could have been Variants.


/Lars S

[steve_1125]

I was just surprised that a classic car dealership would be selling a Type 4 and also that someone has actually bid over $12K for it (reserve not met). Geez, it's parked next to a Rolls. Of course we are all partial to 411s and 412s, but to sell at that price I would think it would have a broader audience. Any thoughts? Has anyone heard of a classic car dealer selling a Type 4 before? Thanks!

[raykinsella]

Yeah, this whole thing is weird. I've exchanged a couple of emails with a guy at this dealership. He says it's a California car - I don't know how it ended up in St. Louis. I'm thinking that somebody there put that first ( and only ) bid on it hoping to spark interest - or at least prevent a scenario where nobody bid on it. I would be shocked if it sold anywhere near the asking price. It IS a gorgeous 412, especially those great front seats. But $15,000? Let's see what happens after the sale is over; they might re-list it at a much lower price.

[raygreenwood]

Its not uncommon to find virtually any car at one of these classic aution type dealers. These guys deal in cars of a particular "condition" level....and not so much make and model. Yes...some only buy certain makes and models with known audiences.
But, more than a few I have read about....buy and uniuqe car that meets inspection being...say...concours level of either documented stored origianal condition....or with a warranted factory level restoration...i.e. no visible flaws, documentation show all original dealer/factory refurb parts and factory, upholstery, paint and detail parts.

Many times these cars are bought at a fraction of what they are selling for and are bought as a ninvestment simply because (a) they are virtually pristine and (b) its a car....which means that sooner or later...someone will pay for it.

I met a guy years ago in Oklahoma city....who did a little of this. He just happened to have an automotive body restoration shop. Does the normal stuff....damaged dealer new cars ...show car paint if you pay for it....specialty restortaion...if you pay for it. Normal successful custom body shop. Rich guy. Also owns a print shop and several otehr businesses. The signifigance?
He also owns several large empty climate controlled, secure buildings.... that are worthwhiel investments for property alone...so he stores small investments he finds along the way.

Has a couple of model A's, a coupel of old fire trucks.....a few other things....all in original and excellent condition....but needing to be cleaned, detailed, refurbed. No major work anywhere. He collects the original parts here and there, runs them through his body shop when things are slow...documents everything...and then advertizes them to auction houses in places like Hemmings motor news.
He stores cars that have no immediate high value...but are very old or rare nonetheless...because there will always be an eventual buyer with more money than sense.
Most car buyers who fit that description have no desire to do any work to their own vehciles. Just own them, collect them and drive them.
I could easily see some 35 year millionaire in silicon valley who needs to burn off 50k...finding thi supposedly perfect.....and probably perfect enough for him....412 in an ad...and dropping 15k on it just because its clean and unique. Ray