Explanation of Chassis number: for model years 1968-1979 218-000-001 Vehicle Type ------------------------------------x|| | 2 - Transporter || | Vehicle Model ------------------------------------x| | 1 = Kastenwagen (Panel Truck), later also | | High-Roof Panel Truck and Fire Truck) | | 2 = Achtsitzer-bus, Neunsitzer-bus (Station | | Wagon 8-seater, 9-seater) | | 3 = Kombi (Kombi, Kombi for Fire Trucks, and | | Campmobile) | | 4 = Sondermodell (Special model, 8- and 9- | | seater) | | 5 = Sondermodell (Special Model, 7-seater) | | 6 = Pritschewagen (Pickup Truck) | | 7 = Krankenwagen (Ambulance) | | 8 = Siebensitzer Bus (7-seater bus) | | Vehicle Model Year (last digit of model year) -----x | 8 - 1968* 2 - 1972 6 - 1976 | 9 - 1969* 3 - 1973 7 - 1977 | 0 - 1970 4 - 1974 8 - 1978* | 1 - 1971 5 - 1975 9 - 1979* | (note that 8 = 1968 AND 1978, 9 = 1969 AND 1979) | Sequential Production Number ------------------------xxx-xxx ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1968 Chassis Number 218-000-001 - 218-220-000 Engine Number B-5-000-001 - B-5-050-173 1584 cc, 57 HP @ 4400 rpm Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM Fuel system: Solex 30 PICT-2 carburetor Imported to U.S. 57,862 Total produced: 1) Entirely new front end: single piece windshield turn signals below headlights, near bumpers. 2) Sliding side door becomes standard on Kombi, Microbus 3) Double cv-joints (no reduction gears) 4) Redesigned front axle with ball joints, worm/peg steering 5) Larger side windows 6) New fresh air ventilation system 7) Lower ground clearance 8) 14-inch wheels 9) Some buses still being manufactured in Emden, Germany as well as Hannover 10) Fuel tank capacity increased to 60 liters (from 40 liters) 1969 Chassis Number 219-000-001 - 219-200-000 Engine Number B-5-050-174 - B-5-116-436 1584 cc, 57 HP @ 4400 rpm Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM Fuel system: Solex 30 PICT-2 carburetor Imported to U.S. 54,985 Total Produced: 1) Round side marker reflectors between wheel wells 2) Generator rated at 38 amps (previously 30 amps) 1970 Chassis Number 210-2000-001 - 210-2300-000 Engine Number B-5-116-437 - B-5-230-000 1584 cc, 57 HP @ 4400 rpm Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM Fuel system: Solex 30 PICT-3 carburetor Imported to U.S. 72,515 Total Produced: 1) Thermostat added to funnel warm air into air cleaner 2) Heavier duty oil pump 3) New fuel pump 4) Double cylinder brake system with warning light 5) Square side marker reflectors and marker lights, moved to before front wheel well and after rear wheel well 6) Gasoline tank venting through Evaporative Emission Control System 7) Throttle valve postioner on carburetor/throttle linkage 8) Fuse box with integral relay panel 9) Ignition key warning buzzer 1971 Chassis Number 211-2000-001 - 211-2300-000 Engine Number AE-0-000-001 - AE-0-529-815 1584 cc, 60 HP @ 4400 rpm Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM Fuel System: Solex 34 PICT-3 carburetor Total Produced: Imported to U.S. 68,561 1) Dual port intake cylinder heads 2) 34 PICT-3 carburetor 3) 3-part dual port intake manifold 4) Vacuum retard distributor 5) Chrome exhaust valve stems 6) 2nd oil pressure control valve 7) New oil cooler (bump in fan shroud) 8) New clutch and throw-out bearing assembly 9) Disc brakes on front axle 10) Collapsible steering column 11) Brake fluid reservoir moved to behind driver's seat 12) Roof color (white) extended to below side windows on two-tone models 13) Front door arm rest air ducts (from 221-2197-035) 14) Sliding side door uses only one Bowden cable (previously two) 15) Adjustable steering locks on front axle (from 211-2066-397) 16) New fuel pump cover 17) Dashpot added to throttle valve positioner 18) Ignition switch locks steering wheel 19) Wheel changed to 5-1/2 J x 14-inch (previously 5JK x 14) with smaller offset amount; wheels attached with lugs and nuts (instead of studs); flat hubcaps introduced 1972 Chassis Number 212-2000-001 - 212-2300-000 Engine Number CA-0-000-001 - CA-0-016-185 CB-0-000-001 - CB-0-056-205 1679 cc, 63 HP @ 4800 rpm Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM Fuel System: Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3 carburetors Imported to U.S. 48,178 Total Produced: 1) Type 4 1679 cc engine introduced (same as Porsche 914, VW 411/412) with spin-on oil filter 2) Dual carburetors (Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3) 3) Redesigned rear body air intake scoops (squared instead of crescent- shaped) 4) Larger triple-element taillights 5) Diaphragm clutch 6) CV-joints slightly different 7) Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system 8) New fuel pump and pump location 9) Alternator introduced, rated at 55 amps (previously generator) 10) Parking brake cable adjustable via equalizer bar 11) Fuel filler cap door moved rearward (out of reach of sliding door) 1973 Chassis Number 213-2000-001 - 213-2300-000 Engine Number CB-0-062-006 - CD-0-000-000 - Automatic Transmission 1679 cc, 63 HP @ 4800 rpm Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM 3-speed automatic, 003 NB Fuel System: Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3 Imported to U.S. 43,533 Total Produced: 1) Smog pump added to EGR 2) Access hatch for engine area added to rear cargo floor 3) Deformable body area behind bumpers (Energy Absorbing Support) 4) Paper element air filter 5) 3-speed automatic transmission available as option 6) Bigger front disc brake caliper/pads 7) New worm/roller steering box 8) Front turn signals moved up under windshield (at ends of air grill) 9) Redesigned windshield wiper arm shafts 10) Last year buses are manufactured in Emden, Germany as well as in Hannover 1974 Chassis Number 214-2000-001 - 214-2300-000 Engine Number AW - 1795 cc, 65 HP @ 4200 rpm Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM 3-speed automatic, 003 NB Fuel System: Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3 carburetors Imported to U.S. 30,166 Total Produced: 1) Rear seat folds down 2) Different gear ratios in manual transmission 3) Engine size increased to 1795 cc (109.5 cu in), 65 HP 4) Larger clutch 5) Carburetor throat size increased 6) Fuel filler cap no longer hidden by flap door 7) Larger brake vacuum booster 1975 Chassis Number 215-2000-001 - 215-2300-000 Engine Number AP-0-027-466 - ED-0-000-640 - 1795 cc, 67 HP @ 4400 Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM 3-speed automatic, 003 NC, 003 ND Fuel System: Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection Imported to U.S. 17,679 Total Produced: 1) Bosch AFC fuel injection introduced 2) Hinges changed on rear engine access door 3) Windshield wiper switch moved to a stalk on steering column 4) New steering column 5) Battery rated at 54 amp-hours 1976 Chassis Number 216-2000-001 - 216-2300-000 Engine Number CJ-0-000-001 - GD-0-000-001 - 1970 cc, 67 HP @ 4200 Transmission: 4-speed manual, 091 CP 3-speed automatic, 010 NF Fuel System: Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection Imported to U.S. 20,825 Total Produced: 1) Engine size increased to 1970 cc 2) New front door hinges (from 236-2126-632) 3) New 3-speed automatic transmission 1977 Chassis Number 217-2000-001 - 217-2300-000 Engine Number GD-0-040-000 - GE-0-000-001 - 1970 cc, 67 HP @ 4200 rpm Transmission: 4-speed manual, 091 CP 3-speed automatic, 010 NF Fuel System: Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection Imported to U.S. 26,209 Total Produced: 1) Front seats have head rests, are more comfortable, and recline (metal wall behind front seats removed) 1978 Chassis Number 218-2000-001 - 218-2300-000 Engine Number GD-0-000-000 - GE-0-007-083 - 1970 cc, 67 HP @ 4200 rpm Transmission: 4-speed manual, 091 CP 3-speed automatic, 010 NF Fuel System: Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection Imported to U.S. 26,017 Total Produced: 1) Sliding side windows introduced (replacing swing vent windows) 2) Hydraulic valve lifters 1979 Chassis Number 219-2000-001 - 219-2300-000 Engine Number GD-0-040-001 - GE-0-000-000 (California models) 1970 cc, 67 HP @ 4200 rpm Transmission: 4-speed manual, 091 CP 3-speed automatic, 010 NF Fuel System: Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection Imported to U.S. 11,762 Total Produced: 1) Catalytic converter introduced into exhaust system ------------------------------------------------------------------------ References: Bus-Transporter, Die Geschichte eines Welterfolges, Randolf Unruh, Motorbuch Verlag, Postfach 103743, 7000 Stuttgart 10, ISBN 3-613-01411-4 Volkswagen Official Service Manual, Station Wagon/Bus, 1968-1979 Robert Bentley, Inc., 872 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 ISBN 0-8376-0094-4 Das grosse Buch der Volkswagen Typen, Lothar Boschen, Motorbuch Verlag, Postfach 103743, 7000 Stuttgart 10, ISBN 3-87943-799-8