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Here to post for free your VW car or parts
that you have for sale or are looking to buy. Changes in the Type 1 VW over the
years
This lists only the operational changes, not things like the removal of the
Wolfsburg Crest.
1949: Solex carburetor made standard equipment, starting crankhole
discontinued.
1950: Hydraulic brakes on the export models, sound muffler put in
heater ducts, fuel heat thermostat riser added to intake manifold; automatic
engine cooling temperature control with the the (ring in back of fan
housing); offset piston pin holes (wrist pin) to reduce piston slap;
tougher alloys for exhaust valves and inserts.
1951: One heavy valve spring replaces the two used before.
1952: Crankshaft end play adjustment with three shims; 26 PCI
carburetor with accelerator pump replaced the old 28 VFIS; "A"
transmission with three synchronized gears replaced the old crash box;
tire size changed from 6.00x 16 to 6.40x 15; six leaved torsion bars added
for increased suspension travel, new instrument panel; rotary heater
control knob; number of turns made by the window crank changed from 10- 1
/2 to 3-1/4.
1953: One rear window glass instead of two; separate brake fluid
reservoir under spare; changed third and fourth gear ratios; changed valve
setting to .004".
1954: 36 hp engine begins with 1192cc (1200) and 6 to I compression
ratio; larger intake valves; oil bath air cleaner; combination vacuum and
mechanical distributor added; combined ignition and starter switch added;
increased generator output to 160 watts. No break-in required.
1955: Twin tail pipe muffler; new design fuel tank; flashing turn
signals instead of the semaphores; dished steering wheel; new gearshift
lever moved forward.
1956: Larger oil pump mounting shaft; No. 4 main bearing clearance
modified; copper-plated fulcrum plates in universals; starter motor hp
increased; fuel filter tap removed.
1957: Oil gallery sizes increased; metal camshaft gear; flat type
accelerator pedal replaced the roller type; tubeless tires introduced;
ring and pinion ratio changed; brake pedal leverage increased; adjustable
striker plates in doors; new instrument panel.
1958: Large windshield; a new dished steering wheel; wider brakes,
drums and shoes; large rear window; frame head reinforced; new clutch
release assembly with stronger clutch springs; third and fourth gear ratio
changed.
1959: Outer front suspension control arm bushings changed to needle
roller bearings, anti-sway bar added; new type fan belt (tropical);
hydraulic steering dampner added; generator output increased to 180 watts.
1960: Safety recessed steering wheel; padded sun visor; new grab
handles on doors; 40 hp engine began with 7 to I Compression ratio; fuel
pump to right of distributor; new '28 PCIT carburetor with automatic
choke; new tunnel-type "AB" "Fully Synchronized"
transmission; push-on connectors for the wiring systems; contoured front
seat; larger heater pipes; pump-type windshield washer.
1961: Flatter gas tank; 28 blade cooling fan; new "hour
glass" Gernmer steering box; permanently greased tie rod ends;
"Sissy Bar" added; nonrepeat starter switch; wider front brake
shoes and linings; anchor points for seat belts; fuel gauge installed;
spring-balanced front hood; transparent brake fluid reservoir; vacuum
advance distributor; positive crankcase ventilation.
1962: Compressed air windshield washer; progressive type valve
springs; leatherette head lining; stronger clutch springs.
1963: Fresh air heating "Clean-air" engine with redesigned
fan housing, muffler and heat exchangers; nylon window guides; foam
sandwich floor mats.
1964: Metal sun roof; bent vacuum pipe-formerly a loop; larger license
plate light.
1965: Master cylinder and wheel cylinders changed; new cooling air
control system with flaps in the bottom of the fan housing; lever type
heater and defroster controls; window and windshield area increased with
slightly curved windshield; more powerful windshield wipers and longer and
more expensive wiper blades; new chassis numbering system; rear seats fold
flat to hold more stuff; pushbutton engine hood latch.
1966: 1300 engine, 50 hp, 1300 emblem on rear deck; emergency blinker
switch; ventilated wheel slots and flat hub caps; headlight dimmer switch
mounted on turn signal handle; center-dashboard defroster outlet; horn
ring added; ball joint front suspension.
1967: 1500 engine, 53 hp, Dual master cylinder brake system; two-speed
wipers; back-up lights; single unit headlights, recessed inside door
handles;,change to 12-volt system in the middle of the year; locking
buttons on doors.
1968: Automatic stick shift with double jointed rear axles added as an
option; new bumper; gas tank filler in right front fender; combined gas
gauge in speedometer head; both warning lights now red; trigger release
door handles; larger tail lights.
1969: Double-jointed rear axles on all models; rear window defroster;
ignition lock combined with steering wheel lock; hood release moved to
glove compartment; gas filler cover has inside release.
1970: 1600 engine; thermostatically controlled warm-up air to the air
cleaner; heavy duty oil pump; new fuel pump; larger tail lights; added
side reflectors; larger front parking and signal lights; a new windshield
wiper motor and wiper assembly.
1971: Dual port heads to the 1600 engine; three part intake manifold,
chrome exhaust valve stems; new combination vacuum/centrifugal advance
distributor; added a pressure control valve in the lubrication system;
installed the activated charcoal filter for the gas tank fumes; a new
34PICT-3 carburetor; door buzzer; new oil cooler which causes a bump in
the shrouding and a pressed-in engine mounting nut on the left side; a new
clutch throw-out assembly and ball bearing. To tell a 1971 Bug at first
glance, they installed a flow-through air system with little vents back of
the rear windows. The headlights go off when the ignition key is off.
The Super Beetle arrived with the big nosed front lid (the way to tell
them apart) and the McPherson strut front suspension. The Super Beetle is
the increased cost model and has bigger front brakes.
1972: Many more hoses and complicated gizmos for Smog Control; new
steering column with safety collapse feature; a new distributor with a
vacuum retard at idle; exhaust reburner; new muffler. The Ghia has bigger
front disc pads. Started production on the Safari (The Thing).
1973: New curved windshield in the Super Beetle. along with a new
dash; redesigned fresh air system; new three point front seats; new
transmission mounts; new heavy duty braced doors. New monstrous tail
lights and front parking and signal lights-almost as big as the fender;
paper filter air cleaner. The generator was replaced by the alternator.
Safari owners see Changes and New Ideas.
1974: The major status change is the self restoring energy absorbing
bumpers which make the car longer and the wider track front and mar wheels
which make the car appear wider than before. The engine remains unchanged
except for a new "quieter muffler" and a new alloy for the
cylinder heads which improves cooling. Oh, them is also a new computer
check sensor to mad TT)C (top dead center) and one for ignition voltage.
The Super Beetle and Convertible have a bit of negative king pin
offset for better tracking under braking conditions.
The steering wheel collapses ftirther (right into your lap maybe). in
case of front end collision. Smaller front seat headrests give better
visibility for a change. To top it all off, VW has now installed seat belt
ignition interlock system which means you can't start the engine without
the seat belt fastened, passenger side, too, if occupied. What I wonder is
how the mechanic sits in the front seat with his seat belt fastened and
works on the engine? The Ghia has thicker front disc pads while the bug
still has drum brakes all the way around. The Thing or Safari as I prefer
to call it remains unchanged.
1975: The big change is fuel injection which is mostly mechanical
unlike the electronic injection on the old Types III and IV. It's called
air flow control (AFC) injection as it's regulated mostly by a box which
enriches and leans the mixture in accordance with the flow of air into the
intake manifold. VW hopes this system will be more trouble-fi-ee than the
old, injection and it certainly seems to be simpler.
1976: Both status and engineering wise, the Bug hasn't changed.
1977: The last year of the old Beetle in the United States and we all
ought to wish it a good goodbye; it has been a long time. They're still
making and selling them in Mexico and Brazil and I don't know where else
by the millions, so the Bug is not completely gone. I guess they're gone
hem because they're expensive. Starting this year, the only air-cooled Type
I Volkswagen imported to the U.S. is the convertible.
1978: No changes in the convertible.
1979: No major changes. Last year for the convertible in the USA.
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