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The VW 411 LE Variant - the mammoth evolution of the Beetle

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Created on February 6, 2018

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Bruno von Rotz

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Bruno von Rotz

46

Volkswagen Archiv / Werk

4

Archiv

12

Bruno von Rotz

46

Volkswagen Archiv / Werk

4

Archiv

12

VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - today both are classic cars

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - it may have been high, but it wasn't four meters after all

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - with twin headlights and a decorative bar at the front, it certainly looked smart

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - as a station wagon it looked quite smart

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - almost 160 km/h fast back then

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - Auxiliary light with high beam headlamps

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - a rarity on our roads today

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - the biggest one looks the smallest here, but that's an optical illusion

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - Type 4 compared to its smaller Type 3 brothers

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - Trunk concepts in comparison - on the right the 411 LE with large hatch

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - the big one with the little brother 1600 TL

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - the big one with its little brother 1600 TL from behind

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - twin headlights and decorative bar characterize the E-model

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - with smart Porsche Fuchs rims

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - the four-door version was denied the big hatch

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - no hood, this way to the front storage compartment

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - plenty of space in the front trunk

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - Pininfarina is said to have helped with the design improvements ...

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - twin headlights were already available in the first version

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - looks sympathetically nostalgic today

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - the front end compared to the VW 1500

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - twin headlights were available together with the trim strip from the first facelift after one year

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - looks really classic today

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - VW drivers felt at home straight away

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - clearly arranged instruments

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - beautifully designed watches

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - the original Grundig from back then

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - classic VW pedal set

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - wiring diagram neatly recorded

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - typical VW interior door opener

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - the fabric upholstery of the L version

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - classic cockpit atmosphere

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - Rev counter not provided

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - Wolfsburg coat of arms on the steering wheel

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - imitation wood for the L on the dashboard

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - Gear lever for the four forward gears

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - a wobbly dachshund is a must

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - fuel-injected 1.7-liter boxer engine, naturally air-cooled

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - the 1.7-liter injection engine was naturally air-cooled

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - the four-cylinder engine had to be accommodated in a space-saving manner

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - clearly labeled

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - clearly labeled

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - Ventilation at the rear

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - advertises itself

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - Air intake for the engine

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VW 411 LE Variant (1969) - flat rear lights

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VW 411 LE (1971) - only the hatchback was available with four doors

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VW 411 (1968) - still without the decorative strip on the front

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VW 411 (1968) - Advertising - The big one from Wolfsburg

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VW 411 (1968) - Advertising - At last there is a Volkswagen over 10,000 francs

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VW 411 (1968) - Advertising - a VW like there never was before

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VW 411 (1969) - Advertising - Unusual even without luxury equipment

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VW 411E Variant (1970) - the estate car

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VW 411E Variant (1969) - Advertising - now also the 411E as Variant

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VW 411E Variant (1971) - Advertising - practical butt

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VW 411E (1969) - Advertising - the 80 hp Volkswagen

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VW 412 LE (1974) - redesigned rear lights

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VW 412 (1974) - compared to the more modern K70

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VW 411LE Variant (1970) - Advertising - A safe bet

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VW 412 (1973) - similar in construction to the 411, but became a new model due to improvements

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VW 412 (1974) - now with 1.8-liter engine and new front design

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VW 412 L (1973) - at the Geneva Motor Show 1973

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Summary

When you think back 50 years and think of Volkswagen, you see a Beetle. But in the 1960s, the car manufacturer from Wolfsburg also offered other models, including the 411, which was intended to attract new customers in the luxury class. However, the 411 was probably too close to the Beetle to be successful at the time, which makes it all the more appealing today, half a century later. This vehicle report describes the history of the Type 4 and shows it in current and historical pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Significantly more modern design
Compromises
Sophisticated heating system
Driving dynamics not convincing
Successful improvement campaign
Estate version Variant
Criticism does not subside
And another evolutionary stage
Almost 50 years later
Further information

Estimated reading time: 9min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Volkswagen had spared no expense and, above all, no effort to usher in the third phase in the company's history. After the Beetle, from which the company had lived for decades, and after the 1500/1600 model series, the 411 represented the third passenger car variant that did not replace any of its predecessors. As a reminder: The VW Beetle is considered Type 1, the VW Transporter was built as Type 2 from 1950, Type 3 was the stepped/hatchback or estate variant of the Beetle, arranged one class higher as the 1500/1600 from 1961. The 411 was therefore the Type 4. Although the rear-engine design and the air-cooled boxer engine were retained, the VW engineers made every effort to place the 411 a class higher and, above all, a whole class larger.

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