Smokin deal, or money pit?

saggin' wagon · Post by **saggin' wagon** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 10:09 am

Howdy all, I just picked up a 1971 411 on ebay for $203.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... AMEWA%3AIT

The guy I got it from put the transmission in wrong. Somehow he misaligned the torque converter and flexplate bolts. It rattled like a big dog. I pulled the engine to rebuild it, saw what he did, so I stuffed it back in and it runs like a champ with good compression. I have been driving it to work 16 miles one way in Fabulous Los Angeles traffic, without any real problems. The heater smells pretty dangerous, other than that, I have fixed most of the safety items.

Now I guess my real question is, Is this car worth restoring? The interior is rough, but I found a complete interior set from pacific Jbugs for under $400.
With interior and paint, this thing could be really nice. The body is more or less straight, with Zero rust. I just registered it for another year, and the DMV let me keep the original blue and yellow plates.
As you can tell, I don't have alot invested in this car. I could put a grand or two into it, but what is it worth if I want to sell it down the road? I am not up top date on the whole VW scene, but I don't see much demand for these 411's.
I'll see if I can figure out how to post pictures, I'll get some up later if possible.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 1:43 pm

The demand in the last 3 years has doubled. The demand for type four engines alone, world wide .....has grown ten-fold. I am in the process of manufacturing the some of the difficult to find parts. Its not that people have no interest in these cars, its because there have been few parts and even less information with which to restore with....AND....the bug, type 3, bus and Ghia...are childs play to restore in comparison....and that mainly a parts and condition issues. You cant swap pans on these cars.

Be careful...its highly unlikely that J-bugs or anyone else (yet) has a single part that is correct or even close for your interior. They have no relation to anything else in any other VW....and the 1971 is unique. The 72-74 were different in several areas. Also...$400 for a complete interior for one of these...especially without a group buy (we are working on that)....is a quite a bit light. Chances are...like every other part in these cars, the guys at J-bugs have no idea what they are looking at. It would be great if they have the right stuff....but doubtful. You have been warned

.

Are these worth something? With their limited production, superior underpinnings, better engine and handling...and superior comfort and drivability....and the fact that they were the last major air cooled marque......yes....they will be worth more than bugs and Vans not too far off.

By the way, generally a misaligned torque converter means a misaligned engine and gearbox package, It usually destroys the tranny if you are not careful. Welcome to the 411/412 forum! Ray

saggin' wagon · Post by **saggin' wagon** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:20 pm

Thanks for the heads up, Ray.
The motor mounts and transmission mounts are thrashed, I'll get to those soon. I found some literature on how to properly align the unit, so I guess I'll get some practice.
I plan on taking it down to Oceanside and check all the interior parts one by one for proper fit and finish. I'll let you guys know how that goes.

Here's a few shots, It's not the original color, the original blue is much nicer (gemini-metallic L 96 E, according to the sticker in the boot)
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQAsA3UR ... 7102107089
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQAmA3YR ... 7108867686
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQA0A3cR ... 7114759745
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0QQA0A3AR ... 7124027330

*edit* due to lack of techie skills, I can't figure out how to hotlink with img tags. Oh well.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:36 pm

Thats actually a sweet car. It looks like the previous owners might have pushed it around by the bumpers a little. Do not get rid of the bumpers...even if bent. They are dang near impossible to find. They are worth it to straighten, and either have re-chromed or powdercoated. Ray

vwbill · Post by **vwbill** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:20 pm

I think she's sweet and a wagen too! Got to love a car you can carry the crew and the stuff to play in the front trunk and the big cargo area!
I really think the 411/412 wagens were the best design for a family or for carrying you in style! They have all the features that everyone wants now in a family car! The front trunk is hugh, the cargo area is awesome and can carry so much with the seat down and the car is a looker that drives like a dream and its a 3o plus year old design! Bill
p.s. Here is the dream motor setup we all would like but what it had stock was sweet too!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... %3AIT&rd=1

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:38 pm

Restore it dammit! Don't let those early VW syncophants out there try to convince you otherwise! The more I learn, the more I realize a Beetle is like horse and buggy compared to these cars. Will these become a true collectors item? I hope so, but it could be a close call...

DeathBus · Post by **DeathBus** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:39 pm

TO HELL WITH ANYTHING WITH SWITCHABLE PANS!!!!!!

MGVWfan · Post by **MGVWfan** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:43 pm

As Kojak would say...

Hey, fix it baby!

hoodsy · Post by **hoodsy** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:21 am

Have to say...SMOKIN DEAL!!!!, these cars sold for $3300 when they were first produced. now in runable condition and a good looker at twenty feet they are generaly valued at around $2500 give or take . And in show condition their value is about double that. so you paid $300 for a car that really to the right buyer could be worth $1500+/- as is. so you do the math. Fix her up for sure.

Bowman74 · Post by **Bowman74** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:22 am

I see it has the bolt on asthma. Go back to stock FI baby!

Thanks,

Kevin

Longbeach412 · Post by **Longbeach412** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:10 am

You kiddin me!, mine (almost same as yours except 74) is not as nice, needs paint and body work, and I paid $500 for it and still struggling to make it run, and I would do it again. Of course keep it as a keeper, once you get her good and back to spec, you'll never accept the inferior vws again.
I am in Long Beach, swing by for a hello sometime if you can.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:53 pm

Awright!..who's the one... spinchter pumpin whine-bag that voted for to crush that car?

....probably one of you parts whoring poachers....wanting to offer the guy $50 to take it to the crusher for him!

Ray

DeathBus · Post by **DeathBus** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:06 pm

raygreenwood wrote:Awright!..who's the one... spinchter pumpin whine-bag that voted for to crush that car? ....probably one of you parts whoring poachers....wanting to offer the guy $50 to take it to the crusher for him! Ray

It was me...............

Seriously

saggin' wagon · Post by **saggin' wagon** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:30 pm

You guys really do love these cars!
I have a neighbor I hate-he just moved here, cut down a beautiful 75 foot tree, and parks his benz in front of my house. Now I park this in front of his house. He's like "hey man, can you park that thing away from my house?" I just smiled and told him about public streets and who can park where. Apparently Yuppies aren't too fond of type 4 wagons, muahhahahah.

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:16 pm

When I lived in a suburb of Detroit, I had some neighbors like that. We kindly told them to go fu...well you get the idea.

Shoptalkforums.com

Smokin deal, or money pit?

Is this pile worth restoring?

Smokin deal, or money pit?

She a sweet car!