VW's Stillborn Big Wide Car: The AmiWagen

Paul Niedermeyer
by Paul Niedermeyer

VW’s current strategy to design larger cars specifically for the US market isn’t the first time around. In the early sixties, VW gave serious thought to a six-seater rear-engine sedan to take on the Americans on their own (big) terms. Obviously inspired by the 1960 Corvair, which made a huge impression in Europe, but taken even further: the EA 128 was a fair chunk bigger and wider than the Corvair, right into mid-size territory. And with bench seats to seat six big Amerikaner. Even a wagon version (Kountry Knecht?). But where to get the underpinnings and six-cylinder engine for the AmiWagen? Where else:

Porsche, of course; that well-spring of VW prototypes and engineering for decades. And how convenient: the timing in 1962 was handy for Porsche, since their own new six-cylinder 901 (911) was just in gestation. The result: a (US) mid-sized sedan version of the 911, from the suspension right up to the steering wheel. And of course the 911 engine, which looks almost lost in that big rear end (pic here). Large copyrighted exterior pics here and here.

Stretching 4.7 meters (185 inches), the EA128 was a half-foot longer than the Corvair, and from the looks of it, substantially wider. The front seat was clearly designed for three-across seating, with a 40/60 split bench. (excellent pic here).

The 911 engine was detuned to 90 hp, which was respectable for European standards of the time, but the 911’s torque curve would have been anything but familiar with the typical American driver. Never mind the cost to build it, which presumably was at least one of the EA 128’s downfall. The Corvair’s own downward trajectory probably didn’t help. And even if VW could rationalize its production, it would have still come out way more expensive than a Fairlane. But VW had it all wrong: this should have been sold as a Porsche, with a zippy new name, say…Panamera.

[ see related VW 411/412 CC here]

Paul Niedermeyer
Paul Niedermeyer

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  • Robert.Walter Robert.Walter on Sep 11, 2010

    I wonder why these cars never saw the light of day ... could it be that, despite size, they were too primative to compete with US cars of the same size? Or, possibly, given the very large panel sizes, VW would have had to invest in presses to handle the large tools, for a car that could only be needed by Americans, but with no certainty of being embraced by them?

    • Paul Niedermeyer Paul Niedermeyer on Sep 11, 2010

      Robert; VW built (or had Porsche build) dozens and dozens of prototypes during this era. As you know, it was different then than now: no computer design; more trial and error. Somebody in VW got the idea in his head to ponder a big wide sedan: call Porsche and have them cobble up a crude prototype, and see how it comes off.

      There's a picture somewhere of over forty VW prototypes rolled out on a parking lot for Spiegel to shoot, to prove to Germans that they really were working on Beetle successors. Now days, it's done totally different.

  • Robert.Walter Robert.Walter on Sep 11, 2010

    Also, what's up with the wipers on the sedan? They are of an opposing type rarely seen (good for pushing the water up over the roof, and a common system for RH and LH drive vehicles, but not so good for wiping the very center of the glass and in trying to minimize this, with the inevitable lash, likely good for the two wipers to bang into each other... Or could it be that they are broken (compare to the wagon pic, which makes more sense)...

  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
  • Ronin It's one thing to stay tried and true to loyal past customers; you'll ensure a stream of revenue from your installed base- maybe every several years or so.It's another to attract net-new customers, who are dazzled by so many other attractive offerings that have more cargo capacity than that high-floored 4-Runner bed, and are not so scrunched in scrunchy front seats.Like with the FJ Cruiser: don't bother to update it, thereby saving money while explaining customers like it that way, all the way into oblivion. Not recognizing some customers like to actually have right rear visibility in their SUVs.
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