Date:         Mon, 9 Sep 2002 20:30:31 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Eurovans future (now-vw does not make sportscars)
In-Reply-To:  <IBEMIMEBBBEOIIGIKKAHIEFDGIAA.vanagon@busdepot.com>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

>The 914 used the same "type 4" engine found in '72-up busses and aircooled
>Vanagons, although with some upgrades compared to the VW version - including
>domed pistons for increased compression, and an oil baffle in the case to
>prevent oil starvation when you cornered quickly, an issue that doesn't come
>up much when driving a bus.

Though, if owners weren't chicken, the Bus can corner very hard.

>The engine was also used in the Volkswagen Type 4 (model 411), which was
>offered as both a hatchback and a wagon,

Type 4s (411) were sedans (with trunk, not hatch) and wagon, as were
the later versions, badged 412.

>and was intended to replace the
>Type 3 (squareback, fastback, notchback).  It was a "luxury" car by VW's
>standards back then, with such standard features as a gasoline heater (the
>Eberspacher BA4).

Type 3s were available with the gas booster heater too.

>Unfortunately, it failed for several reasons:  it was
>commonly viewed as ugly (although I disagree),

I agree with you; the 412 wasn't at all bad-looking, and the 412
wasn't bad. Wagons were less awkward than sedans.

>and had several mechanical
>flaws (such as poor access for repair, a crude mechanical fuel injection
>system, and solid lifters that required regular valve adjustments, not
>needed on other cars it competed with).  I've heard the Type 4 called "the
>worst car Volkswagen ever made," although I'm not sure I'd go that far. (VW
>has the distinction of having made more than one bad car. :-)

The K70, which appears to be a rebodied Audi 90, had a terrible
reliability record.

--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut