Lot 404: 1973 Volkswagen 412 LE Variant Estate automatic

This rare version of the Type 4 model is one of the handful of automatic 412 estates still in regular use on our roads. Finished in Alaska blue with a silver grey interior, it was manufactured on the 17th June 1973 and first registered on the 1st December the same year. Exactly 32 years old! It last changed hands in 1978, some 27 years ago, and has had just 2 owners from new. Throughout this period, it has been regularly serviced and maintained by autherised VW dealers/specialists with receipts and/or service records in support.In 1998, a thorough restoration was undertaken by Southchurch Refinishers of Southend-on-Sea. The car was off the road for 9 months with a video and photographic diary recorded at the time. All body parts were stripped down to bare metal as well as chassis and panels according to the origional specification. These works, including the interior refurbishments cost in excess of 5,500, some of which is still under guarantee. Its new lease of life allowed it to compete at the Concours stand at Deitlingin, Germany in February 2000 whereupon it promptly won Best in Class. It subsequently featured in the club calender later that year and in 2001, Volkswagen Driver carried a short article on the car. Fully taxed until April of next year with a full years MoT, bespoke Covercraft car cover and some miscelaneous spare parts, this is a great example of a much underated and eminantly practicable motorcar.