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i got a 72 baja and a riviera camper, but i have yet to own a 412. basically, what is it? i found a solid running one for $400, what do people do with them? can i get some pics of some customs? also how hard/pricy are the parts?

It is the car that is termed type 4. It was the original recipient of the type 4 engine. It came in 2 door sedan, 4 door sedan...and wagon. The 412 was the second generation. The first was the 411. The changes were the nose, the fender flares, some interior trim pieces, a later 1.8 liter...and a change from Djet to Ljet. Pricey...that varies. Actually availability of bocy, interior, trim and suspension parts does not exist outside the junkyard...so yes...hard to get. But worth it. Ray

Have a look at www.type4.org At the 'pictures' part of the site, you can clearly see the differences through the years. The 412 was only built in South Africa in 1973 and 1974. A few were also sold in 1975. I personally prefer the 412 above the 411, but many would differ. You could call the 412 the father of the Passat, although the unitary body constructtion (body not separte from chassis like a Beetle) is the only thing they have in common.

Regards
Pine

these are hard to get???? new parts may be hard to get... but if I wanted a 411/412/wagon/fasty I could have one tomorrow... I think it is easier to find a type 4 than it is to find a notchback here in FL

its all LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.

The 73 and 74 412 were also manufactured in Germany....or were you gettiung at that in south africa...they only manufactured the cars in the 73/74 years? Mine is a 73. It was made in Germany.

Actually, I know where more than a handful are without a dent on them....until you look closely. Most I see are beyond restoration. Especially if the seals have been leaking for years. Ray

VWGirl wrote:these are hard to get???? new parts may be hard to get... but if I wanted a 411/412/wagon/fasty I could have one tomorrow... I think it is easier to find a type 4 than it is to find a notchback here in FL

Well, that's a given that a Type 4 would be easier to find than a Notchback since T4s were actually sold here in the US and Notches weren't (officially).
No surprise there.
Ray was talking about PARTS.

VWGirl wrote:these are hard to get???? new parts may be hard to get... but if I wanted a 411/412/wagon/fasty I could have one tomorrow... I think it is easier to find a type 4 than it is to find a notchback here in FL

Hey VWGirl did you see the notchback 65 on ebay?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2435636082

Wahoo, Bill

Vw girl....while the notch was an absolutely rare item on this continet due to importing only into Canada, you will find that the standard transmission 2 door 411/412 is even more rare. They just shipped something like maybe 2200 to the whole continent. Most of those are long gone. From all of my checking....there are perhaps less than 100 running on this continene. A lot of 411/412's are starting to come out of barns and backyards. Many people saved them even when they died. They were very fun to drive. I have not yet met an owner who didn't love the car. Most only had issues with servicability at the dealers...and the cost of parts. Also...for many people, they wrere just too expensive to throw away. They ran about $4100-4500 in about 1972-74. That was more than a cadillac!

Though a notch may be alittle rarer...other than body parts....which are no less rare than for a 411/412....all of the notch is type 3. Lots of interior, suspension, and engine parts around. Also...the pan comes off of a notch. If a 411/412 is too rusted...its junk. Its all one piece. Barring major body damage on a notch....I can restore about 2-3 notches...for the cost of restoring one 411/412....thats the difference. Ray

Here's what my 412 4 door sedan looks like... working on fixin the dent and repainting it the orig color...



Scott

By the way...from the photo...its time to work on the front suspension. Its higher than normal...and the back looks almost normal. This usually means that just about all of the rebound damping ability of the strut cartridges is gone. Probably time for rear shocks too.Ray