The VW Type 4 was initially presented internally during the VW general meeting on July 4, 1968. This was followed by the dealer presentation in Braunschweig. And finally, the official premiere of the sedan took place at the Industrial fair Berlin in September 1968. Delivery to the trade started on October 5, 1968.

Production of the 411 took place at the Wolfsburg plant from September 1968 to June 1972.

Initially, the VW 411 was produced as a two- and four-door model. In the first year of production, the Zyklop version – named after the oval headlights – was sold first. Initially, these vehicles were only available in a hatchback version with a small tailgate. Buyers could choose between the normal and L versions.

An air-cooled 1.7l boxer engine with two carburettor system, 68 hp at 4500 rpm, spring strut front axle with torsion bar stabilizer, semi-trailing arm rear axle, four-speed manual transmission, additional petrol-electric heater, radial tires 155 SR 15, three-phase alternator were standard.

There was an automatic transmission as an option.

The L equipment included carpeting instead of rubber mats, reclining seats with lumbar support, velor seat covers and pockets in the backrest.

The first vehicles were delivered in October. At the same time, insulation panels for the wheel housings in the engine compartment were retrofitted.

Photo source: motor tourist No. 8 v. Aug 1968

In January there were further modifications to the engine, such as intake and exhaust ports and rocker arm ratio. The heater boxes were relocated to the body in front of the rear axle. The opening angle of the front doors has been increased and torsion-sprung driver discs as well as insulating mats have been installed under the rear seat bench and on the engine bulkhead.

The VW 411 E rolled off the assembly line in August. At the customer's request, there was a Bosch injection system, modifications to the cylinder head and ignition distributor in this model. The engine block and oil pan were made of die-cast aluminum and the oil filler neck and oil dipstick were raised. The shift rod and clutch have been strengthened. The equipment now included dual halogen headlights.

Standard was the equipment with the VW logo with lateral decorative strips on the front, steel rims in silver, a better shape and deeper seating position of the seats, a larger ashtray, a continuously adjustable fresh air blower. On the L trim level there was a cigarette lighter and an anti-roll bar on the rear axle.

In the carburettor models, broadband headlights with surrounds were installed instead of the oval headlights, and a version with an automatic transmission was available as an option.

In addition, the VW 411 E Variant was introduced. There was only a two-door version with a hatchback. The rear bench seat and backrest can be folded down. Ventilation slots have been integrated into the C-pillar. The Variant had a different rear axle ratio and the tire size was 165 SR 15. The following extras could be ordered on request: speedometer with odometer and clock with time preselector switch, and air conditioning with center vent.

A reinforced three-phase alternator was installed in September and the exhaust tailpipe on the E model was relocated to the right in October.

Photo source: contemporary advertising

In March, the front trail was increased from 9 to 16 mm by relocating the steering knuckles. From April, a shorter shift rod and a new shift finger clutch were installed.

There were a number of changes in August. So there was no 1.7l engine with 68 hp in the future. The front hood and the tank cap have been changed. The dashboard received black paintwork instead of the previous wood imitation. There was a steering lock with a lock cylinder, as well as locking buttons in the window frames. Automatic was now also available in conjunction with the E model.

Photo source: auto + Reise No. 2, February 1970

In July, the rear axle ratio was changed on the sedan and the dual headlights got plastic bezels.

Production of the VW 411 ended in July. By then, a total of 241,358 vehicles had rolled off the assembly line. At the same time, production of the VW 412 began at the new plant in Salzgitter.

Compared to the VW 411, the front of the VW 412 E, including the trunk lid, has changed. The twin headlights got new bezels, the bumpers and indicators were set higher.

The rear lights were narrower on the Variant, and the opening angle of the front doors on the two-door increased. The wiper arms were now matte black. Storage compartments in the front doors and modified side armrests were part of the standard equipment.

The disc brake pads and the transmission synchronization were strengthened, the struts and the anti-roll bar were modified.

The injectors got a paper air filter instead of the oil bath air filter. For the time being, the engine equipment remained the same as that of the VW 411 E.

Photo source: contemporary advertising

In August, the injection system was replaced by a two-carburetor system. The displacement is now 1795 cm³. There were the models 412 (N engine, 75 hp, regular petrol) and 412 S (85 hp, premium fuel).

There were new mufflers, cardan shafts with reinforced ball joints, reinforced gearbox and fresh air blower with a larger impeller.

On request, the vehicles could be ordered with a headlight washer system

Photo source: contemporary advertising South Africa