The final rear-engined VW cars

Everyone joins VWOCGB for their own unique reasons. Discounts, access to first-hand niche VW knowledge, Club merch, and free event tickets are all readily on the table. For some, the opportunity to support the Club that has helped them in the past can naturally arise. During the AGM, it was briefly mentioned that a book review was being offered to the Club. I had a dash of free time, why not.

With a clunk on the floor, the book arrived via a courier. A few choice words against packing tape later, the cover once again basked in the suns glory. Volkswagen Type 4:411 and 412 The Final rear-engined VW cars. Oh. This journey will start from scratch. The only interaction I had with this model was, well, never.

Rapidly flicking through like a child with a home shopping catalogue, I skimmed through the images. Stunned at the eclectic mix of Official adverts, shots of the Dealer merchandise through to the wiring diagrams, this book has caught my attention. Coffee on. TV off. The phone switched to silent, it’s time to escape and learn.

VW Type 4 History

Building up through post WW2 history, the book is written with no presumed knowledge. After a refresh on the true ashes to Phoenix history of VW, the script naturally steers to the Type 4, slowly building on the detail of the end of an era and what came post the Type 4. The book finishes the timeline with companies’ transition to the water-cooled market (post a few appendixes).

Born to conquer the gaining popularity of Fix It Again Tony and to prove it wasn’t a one-trick pony, the specific Type 4 journey starts with the makeup of the concepts, one of which is ground-breaking for VW. Four doors. Continuing to deliver, admix aforementioned automotive art, you’re adjourned with facts and figures of development, faced with a positive dealer like sale, I found my mind wandering to the specs that I would choose for 412. Nonbiased, the Author describes the battle against the infamous Bug and the rollercoaster impact of CEO changes.

Easy to read, the technical info is broken down into small segments and complimented with statements and thoughts. Would I be able to use this book as a one-stop shop to restore a Type 4? No. This book offers more. It has garnished me with a newfound appreciation of VW history and granted me the ability to exploit and discuss technical details with Type 4 owners of the UK.

Now the Type 4 history is positively embedded within my hippocampus, it’s time to hit the web and hunt for a car, that, two months ago, I would not have granted a second thought.

Reviewed by – Nick Maloney

Title – VOLKSWAGEN TYPE 4:411 AND 412 The Final rear-engined VW cars

Author – Marc Cranswick

Publisher – Veloce Publishing Ltd

Website – www.veloce.co.uk

ISBN – 978-1-787115-22-4

Price – £35