14. Volkswagen 411/412
The Volkswagen 411/412 marked an ambitious step upmarket with its air-cooled, rear-engined layout—an unusual choice for a family sedan.
Featuring independent suspension and a unique fastback shape, it aimed to blend comfort with VW’s trademark engineering quirks.
As Hemmings observes, the 411/412 never found widespread love, but it remains a fascinating, often forgotten classic for die-hard Volkswagen fans who appreciate the brand’s risk-taking spirit.