Suzy's Lighting Bug 411 Wagon 1971

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mg93108
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Joined: 27th September 2015 - 5:11pm

Suzy's Lighting Bug 411 Wagon 1971

Post by mg93108 » 8th October 2015 - 6:08pm

Hi I'm new :-)

We just bought a 1971 VW 411 Wagon in Shantung Yellow (which my sweet wife call Lightning Bug Yellow)
So she refers to the car as her Lightning Bug

We live in Santa Barbara and the car is really in good shape. It still has the original interior panels and rear seat which all look perfect. The front seats were reupholstered perfectly to match. And we have lots of original paperwork. It was purchase new in Salinas California then sold to a girl who moved to San Francisco. She drove it down to Simi Valley California where she ran into some mechanical issues and abandoned it. That's when Ron picked it up. And Ron sold it to us.

Ron's a pretty cool guy and also runs a auto shop training program for kids. He decided to rebuild it mechanically. So he replaced the front struts, and completely rebuilt the engine, automatic transmission, and transaxle. He also dialed in the D-jet system very nicely. It runs beautifully.

And, our son David loves it! So he started looking for a type 3 squareback and would you believe that he found a 1971 411 wagon!?!? The body is really pretty straight and he's getting the mechanics of it dialed in now. He's pretty stoked.

Perhaps you guys and girls can help us. We are needing to replace the front windshield and want to do a complete, windows out, paint job. Where can I get the rubber? The car is definitely worth the full restoration. It's just the rubber for the front windshield that is the tough find. But the rubber for the side windows is needed as well. Also, any advice would be great to hear

We have owned many air cooled VWs including 2 Things, a Type 3 Squareback, a 1961 Notchback VIN# 4483, 5 Vanagons, a Fastback, a 1971 Bus, and a couple of bugs. So happy to be the proud owner of a 411.

Thanks for your help!!

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Editor
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Re: Suzy's Lighting Bug 411 Wagon 1971

Post by Editor » 9th October 2015 - 12:29am

Hi, and welcome to the forum. Rubber parts for the Type 4 are even more tricky to find than for Type 3s. In case having the part numbers helps, here they are:-
For windshields there are 2 numbers quoted, but I guess yours will have the laminated screen, so it's 411 845 121B; hinged middle window is 461 847 131 (left) and 132 (right) or fixed is 465 845 321 and 322; quarter window is 461 845 341 and 342, while rear screen is 461 845 521.

There is a dedicated Type 4 website run by Jens Vagelpohl www.vwtype4.org , and since Jens is in the USA, he may have a better idea of where to find parts. He will at any rate be pleased to hear from you.
Actually, I see you already have an ad on that site for a windshield and rubber!

Good luck with your 411s.
Dave.

mg93108
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Joined: 27th September 2015 - 5:11pm

Re: Suzy's Lighting Bug 411 Wagon 1971

Post by mg93108 » 9th October 2015 - 12:36am

Is it true that the BUS windshield rubber will work on a 411, assuming that you shorten the length of rubber?

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Editor
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Re: Suzy's Lighting Bug 411 Wagon 1971

Post by Editor » 9th October 2015 - 1:11pm

Maybe! The rubber on the Bus I had seemed a heavier moulding than a Type 3, but my Bus didn't have a trim frame so it might have been less flexible. I don't know if that applies to a Type 4. You may have trouble at the corners if so, but it should be the right profile. New rubber should be a lot more supple than old hardened rubber though. Ah, I still remember the suppleness of youth! I think Type 4s had a plastic filler trim.
Dave.

mg93108
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Joined: 27th September 2015 - 5:11pm

Re: Suzy's Lighting Bug 411 Wagon 1971

Post by mg93108 » 9th October 2015 - 6:32pm

Has anyone actually tried the Bus Rubber?

Also has anyone found another alternative?

I'm really looking for ALL of the rubber

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purplepeter
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Re: Suzy's Lighting Bug 411 Wagon 1971

Post by purplepeter » 9th October 2015 - 10:28pm

Don't hold Your Breath, but there might be a possible lead... One of Our club members wrote a long essay about Type 4 Resto- I don't have the bit relating to windscreens, but I've asked the person Who has, & He had a New Windscreen made by Pilkingtons Glass

(Give us a couple of Days & We'll come up with an answer)

461845341 is available from classic parts, as it seems is Most of the Glass itself- see the parts book link in Type 4 Corner



461845301 side window Package 77,52 EUR 
461845331 side window Package 78,93 EUR 
461845332 side window Package 78,93 EUR 
461845341 Dichtung Package 43,76 EUR 
461845500 rear window glass Package 155,02 EUR 
461845501 rear window glass Package 86,81 EUR 

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miketyp3
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Re: Suzy's Lighting Bug 411 Wagon 1971

Post by miketyp3 » 10th October 2015 - 2:09pm

I've not found it yet, but this is the link to the glass. http://www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk/auto ... assic-cars
The Type 4 is on the list of screens they can supply.
I will still look for the articles, I'm sure I have them.
Mike

64 1500S Notchback - RHD Sunroof
66 1600TL Fastback - Pigalle Interior
67 T346 Karmann Ghia - RHD Sunroof

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miketyp3
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Re: Suzy's Lighting Bug 411 Wagon 1971

Post by miketyp3 » 11th October 2015 - 11:22am

Ok so I found the document. Not a lot to add on the screen, except part number HT 0362 and price £88 + vat (05/09).

There's a page on rubbers, but the only mention of supply is with a company call Revolks in Arkansas. I did a quick search, I couldn't see anything up to date on them, lots of old links around 2005 /6 like this one...
viewtopic.php?t=611

It would be great if they could still supply.

There's other information that might be useful to someone restoring or maintaining a Type 4, although its a little dated and the documents include personal details and information I don't think would be good to publish. I'll look though, see what is still valid.
Mike

64 1500S Notchback - RHD Sunroof
66 1600TL Fastback - Pigalle Interior
67 T346 Karmann Ghia - RHD Sunroof

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Editor
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Re: Suzy's Lighting Bug 411 Wagon 1971

Post by Editor » 11th October 2015 - 11:58am

I searched through the forum, and Type 4 corner mentions the Dutch Type 4 club as a possible contact. Our forum pages aren't deleted with age - only the advert pages.
http://www.412club.nl/
Our UK experts are Jane and Bryan Terry - jane at janeterry.wanadoo.co.uk is the most recent email I have.

Much of the rubber section will be common with similar age VW cars, but most loose rubbers I've seen over the years seem to have a shape to them, so I suspect they are 'cooked' somehow after glueing.
Dave.

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