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Changes in the Type II VW over the years

   1954: Engine number 20-695-356 in chassis number 20-069-409. They had the bullet type front signal lights and round combination signal and tail lights in the rear. I have seen a 1954 with no front signal lights. They used the 36 hp engine with a PCI carburetor and manual choke and the "A" type Synchronized trans with square-cut first and reverse. The front end is totally different from the Bug but uses similar principles. The brakes are Simplex type and both the master cylinder and wheel cylinders are heavy duty. They are classified as 3/4 ton vehicles. With the exception of adding various models, there were very few changes until... 
   1959: In May at chassis number 469,506 and engine number 3,400,000 they changed the engine to the "Modified" 36 hp, which looked like the 40 hp but wasn't and changed to the "B" "Fully... Synchronized" transmission at the same time. 
   1960: In June they gave up on the "Modified" 36 hp engine at engine No. 3,580,000 and started with the true 40 hp engine at No. 5,000,00 1. 
   1961: New ring and pinion unit; changed the tail lights to large oval combination stop and tail lights; changed the front signal from the bullet type to the oval type. 
   1963: 1500 engine "G" type starting with No. 0-000-00 1; 51 hp; changed brakes, rear axle and suspension; new transfer cases; changed front axle and suspension; rated I ton. 
   1964: Larger rear door and windows 
   1965: 1500 engine, 53 hp starting with H-0-000-001; changed signal lights to amber color; changed headlamps; changed transmission, larger clutch plate and nine-spring release assembly;..'.new flywheel. 
   1967: 12-volt electrical system. 1968: 1600 engine, 57 hp, from B-0-000-001 or with M240, 53 hp from C-0-000-001. New front, curved windshield; new ventilating system; lowered road clearance; changed wheel size to 14 inches; double jointed rear axles, ball joint front suspension; removed that beautiful "all the way across" storage area and put in a lousy American-type glove compartment -- so who has gloves -- put on a sliding door that takes away twenty percent of your camping storage but it sure is pretty with those big windows and windshield. 
   1969: No major changes. 
   1970: 1600 engine; thermostatic warm air to the air cleaner; heavy duty oil pump; new fuel pump; double cylinder brake system with warning light. Installed side reflectors. 
   1971: Dual port heads for the 1600 engine; three part intake manifold; chrome exhaust valve stems; added pressure control valve; new oil cooler, with bump in shrouding and pressed-in engine mounting nut; 34 PICT-3 carburetor; activated charcoal tank for gas tank fumes; door buzzer; new clutch and throw-out assembly with ball bearing; composite rear drums; flared the rear wheel wells; put on a back-up light as standard. New steering column with safety collapsing feature; added those lovely disc brakes. Put the brake fluid tank back of the seat; new distributor with a vacuum retard feature at idle. 
   1972: Type IV 1700cc pancake engine with dual carbs. A lot of new things come with this engine: diaphragm clutch and so many hoses you won't believe; exhaust recirculating system; made the tail light and back-up light under the same tail light lens. 
   1973: The Smog Pump is the first thing to strike your eye. It's a pump that adds oxygen to the exhaust to help burn it more completely (afterburner); an access door under the bed so you can get at the engine to tune it; a paper filter air cleaner; exhaust gas recirculation. You can get an automatic transmission in the bus with a different shift system. New heavier disc brakes; new steering box and hoses, hoses, tubes and hoses. The front wheel wells are flared a bit and the parking signal light has been moved up right under the windshield so you can tell at a glance. 
   1974: On the surface the bus hasn't changed except for the addition of a rear third seat with an optional fold down back. Inside, however, things are still being stretched out. The engine size increased to 1,1795cc (109.5 cu. in.) with 68 hp and 91 ft. lbs. torque. Along with this are bigger ventures for the dual carbs, a bigger clutch, a reinforced trans bell housing and new gear ratios to take advantage of the increased HP. About 18 mpg should be expected as before. To bring it all to a screeching halt VW has provided a larger brake booster. 
   1975: The big change is the air flow control (AFC) fuel injection system which is the same system used on the new bug so look at the rap under Type I. 
   1976: Practically unchanged from last year except the engine now is 2000 cc.
   1977: No major changes.
   1978:  Hydraulic lifters make this a much quieter motor and much less chance of letting your valves get too tight and burning them or the opposite where they get too loose and mushroom out the tops of the valve stems. Great improvement. Also rear sliding windows for better air flow thru in the back of the bus. 
   1979: No major changes.

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