Volkswagen 412 LE Saloon

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One of Volkwagen’s lesser known animals, the Type 4 (411/412) was the result of VW chief Heinrich Nordhoff’s attempts to penetrate the luxury-car market and expand the German manufacturer's image to include upscale and more developed products.

Still retaining those essential VW traits - a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine with rear wheel drive – the Type 4 just did everything on a bigger scale.

The 411 was given VW’s largest engine, a 1679 cc flat-four equipped with twin carburettors and yielding 68bhp. It also had coil sprung, trailing wishbone rear suspension and MacPherson strut front suspension. The first VW to incorporate monocoque body construction, it was available as both a saloon (two and four-door) and an estate – in some ways better-proportioned.

Looking at the wide-eyed, protruding top-lip design, you might find it hard to believe that Pininfarina took the credit (?) for penning its lines. With that illustrious name adding a whiff of glamour, the car was launched at the Paris Motor Show in October 1968.

But the press weren’t kind to Volkswagen’s ugly duckling, probably in no small measure due to the fact that everyone was waiting for something water-cooled and front wheel-drive from the company. Even the German magazines were scathing. ‘Auto, Motor und Sport’ placed the 411 dead last in a group test against the Fiat 125, Renault 16, Audi 80L, Ford 17M and Opel Rekord 1700L. VW fought back with improvements and restyling.

In 1969, the model received Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection (as on the Porsche 914), reportedly hiking power output to 80bhp. European 411s were badged with an ‘E’ to highlight the feature. Twin round headlights were also substituted for the single, oval units.

In 1972, the 412 superseded the 411. Its Brooks Stevens-restyled body now featured a negative-angled nose, reshaped headlight surrounds and halogen lights. In 1974, engine capacity was raised to 1795cc and fuel management reverted to a twin carburetor system.

But VW’s bigger model still wasn’t a success (Phaeton designers take note!). In 1974, and after one of Volkswagen’s shortest production runs ever (367,728 built), it was withdrawn, only to be replaced with an even more awkward-looking and angular creature; the K70.

This 1973 example of the 412 LE has been owned by the Stondon Motor Museum since 2003 and is finished in a very period-evoking colour combination of metallic gold over brown cloth seats. The mileage of 8137 is said to be incorrect, but the car starts readily and runs.

Nowadays though, it seems that image-wise, things have come full circle for the Type 4. It now basks in the reflected glory of all things air-cooled. Indeed, it has become the model for the true visionary, for whom the Beetle or Camper Van are simply too obvious and passé. And as with all Vee Dubs, it benefits from the huge catalogue of parts and upgrades available to customisers, so no two cars need ever look the same again. Ugly Duckling, your time has come.