Date:         Tue, 5 Feb 2002 16:07:32 EST
Reply-To:     JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         JordanVw@AOL.COM
Subject:      Re: slightly off topic: VW 412
Comments: To: gmbulley@bulley-hewlett.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 2/5/02 3:29:41 PM Eastern Standard Time,
gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM writes:


> Anybody ever use a VW 412 Wagon as a daily driver?
>
> Could you p-mail me with thoughts/experiences. I'm thinking about
> picking one up, and want to know what I'm getting into.
>
>

i had one..  '74 412 squareback.  had the FI 1800cc pancake engine, automatic
(most were - the 4spds were rare in the US), with the Eberspacher BN4 gas
heater. and roofrack. .. even had a timer on the clock so you could pre-set
the gas heater to turn on before you came out to the car in the morning,  so
when you stepped out the front door you'd see what's left of your vw
smoldering in a pile in the driveway ;<)     seriously, tho..it was a fun
little car.   it was vw's first attempt at a "luxury car"  (LOL)  and was
priced accordingly.. it was recieved witth mixed emotions so they didnt sell
very many of them.   the front seats were huge, and with the struts (rather
than shocks) it rode pretty nice..  if youre lucky, get the 4spd version..
those are fast little cars, you figure it was the same engine pushing the vw
bus around, so it really moved this little thing.   used to freak out people
at gas stations when i asked them to check the oil :<)   "there the hell is
the engine??"   only thing i had a prob was with the location of the battery
(right under your ASS) so i had to have the drivers floor patched (i used
1/4" thick plate steel :<)  they were really cool little cars, people just
gave them a bad rap.
wish i still had it.
chris