Convertable/Open Air 412

Bulley412 · Post by **Bulley412** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 8:02 am

Does anyone in the NC area have a 411/412 body that is a POS/junk/rust-bucket?

I want to experiment with the geometry and technique for cutting the top off a 412. The Ultimate goal would be to create a convertable, but the interim goal would be to have a fair-weather open-air 412 (no top, just a tonneau).

I like the roll-bar picnic-basket pattern for the VW Cabrio/Porsche Targa, and i think a 2-door 412 might be a nice candidate for a fun open-air car with only a moderate amount of chassis stiffening.

Thoughts? Avaialbilty of a POS car?

gmb

VWGirl · Post by **VWGirl** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 8:50 am

I think that a two door model would be easier to stiffen up. The only four door convertibles that I can think of are Things and Beetles... There has to be a reason why there are not many 4 door verts. I would think it would have to do with the stability of the body.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 10:26 pm

That would be cool...but an awful lot of stiffing will be needed. The 411/412 is a full unibody. No frame members whatsover and no hard link triangulating the rear end. If it bends, the alignment of the transaxle will suffer. But...I would think that an internal roll bar set up, fron to back, and side ti side would help a lot. Ray

MchAlf · Post by **MchAlf** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 8:51 am

Hi' there..

It has been done once by Karmann, with a 2 - door coupe, as a sales - projekt.

Let's see if I can finde the artikel / pictures.

MchAlf.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 10:55 am

I think I saw those same pictures. If its by Karmann..chances are the chassis is totally different. The problem with cutting the 411/412...is that it has no pan. The pan, with the tunnel is the main stiffness in a bug and a ghia. The body and roof help to triangulate the pan. Good structure. Though the 412 has a enter tunnel, its design and welding are much different. It has much less ribbing. The 411/412 flexes alot. Especially when the suspension is stiffened up a bit. I will definately be installing a front shock tower brace in the fall, and a rear beam/shock tower crossbrace. The roof is an integral part of the structure. Not saying it cannot be done...just be prepared for some work. Also....2 doors are pretty rare...at least in the USA. Are you positive you want to cut one? I think I would rather go a large rollback ragtop with a strengthening ring spotwelded around the hole under the headliner. Ray

MchAlf · Post by **MchAlf** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 3:40 pm

Well...

I have made a scan of the 2 best pictures ( about 1 Mb each ).

If someone wants a copy or help getting them one the forum, drop me a line.

MchAlf.

Bobtail · Post by **Bobtail** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 12:45 pm

Where is it now?

MchAlf · Post by **MchAlf** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 3:59 pm

Thanks Bobtail..

Actual the car is still in Karmann's private collection.
The V.I.N. number is 000 056 ( Aug. '68 ) and it has a hydraulic top !
The rear window was made of plastic and fitted with a zipper.

The cab. newer was accepted for production by VW, as the standard car's newer reached the sales figures VW hoped for.

MchAlf.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 8:32 pm

Very niiiiiice. I would love to look underneath. Ray