AutoCult VW 412 LE Sedan (1973) (Germany)

About the Original:

Final Attempt

In 1973 the in-house designated as the Type 4 production series got a new design. Initiated by the head of Volkswagen Rudolf Leiding the new design was strongly inspired by the Type SP2 built in Brazil. The technical improvement was the replacement of the engine with fuel injection in favor for an engine with dual carburetor in August 1973. As the most powerful version with 85 hp the engine got the letter ‘S’ added to its type designation ‘412’.

Initially it seemed that the plan of car manufacturer based in Wolfsburg worked out, as the production figure increased by 3,000 units compared to 1972. By end of the year 1973 in total 73,440 copies left the production facility. But at this point it was already obvious that the Type 4; with its models 411 and 412; was not able to satisfy the expectations of Volkswagen. In 1974 30,583 copies of both versions – sedan and station wagon – were built until the production was ceased in June.

The overall production figure totaled 367,728 copies. Volkswagen expected a figure of 800,000 cars in its initial estimations.