Glossary
Type 1
- Defines the basic chassis structure. Consists of the Bug (or Beetle), Convertible Bug, Karmann Ghia, Convertible Karmann Ghia, Kubelwagen, Schwimmwagen, and "Thing". First year of significant production - 1945.
Type 2
- Defines a basic Bus. Includes all of the Bus variants, such as Panel, Kombi, Double Door, Single and Double Cab, Split Window Bus, 23 Window Deluxe, Samba, Camper, Weekender, Westfallia, and too many others to mention. They are collectively called Type 2. First year of mass production - 1950.
Type 3
- These are commonly referred to as Square Back, Notch Back, Fast Back, and may be collectively referred to as "Variants". First year of major production - 1961. Production ended in 1973.
Type4
- The last "great" air cooled Volkswagen version, and essentially, a slightly larger Type 3. Produced 1968 to 1974 only.
Split window
- Most commonly refers to the 1949 through February, 1953 Beetle. So named because of its divided rear window. However, split can also refer to pre-1968 Type 2's, due to a divided windshield.
Zwitter
- "Zwitter, what a weird little critter!" Built for a few weeks following the factory vacation in 1953. These cars had Split Window dash boards and Oval Window bodies.
Oval window
- Refers to the rear window shape of the Beetles built from March, 1953 through July, 1957.
Super Beetle
- A lot of confusion surrounds the "Super Beetle" name. They are essentially the same as the Standard Beetle, the only change being a re-design of the front suspension. Simply put, after the factory vacation in 1970, Super Beetles and Standard Beetles were both built on the same lines. Additionally, after 1970, all Convertible Beetles were Super Beetles.
King and link front axle
- Refers to the Beetle's front suspension from its inception in 1945 until it was replaced with the ball joint axle in 1965.
Ball joint front axle
- As noted above, the ball joint axle replaced the king and link in 1965, and served through the end of production for the Beetle, except, of course, for the Super Beetle.
Swing axle
- Refers to the design of the transmission and how it connects to the rear wheels. The swing axle was used from 1945 through 1967, and was used in Type 1, 2 and 3.
I.R.S. (Independent Rear Suspension)
- Refers to the design of the transmission and how it connects to the rear wheels. The IRS style rear suspension provided a monumental increase in handling and road holding. It was first used in 1968 in the Type 1, 2, and 3, replacing the swing axle, and used through the end of production on all three types of vehicles.
Wolfsburg
- Now a major German city in what used to be West Germany, Wolfsburg is the only German city to have been planned in the 20th Century. The area was originally established only as a factory site near a river for power, solely to build Volkswagens. The workers in the factory needed a place to live, so a town was built up around the factory, and thus the city was born. The only purpose in the beginning was to build Volkswagens, but other life has since found a hold in the thriving city.
Decklid
- Often a confusing term to Volkswagen neophites. The decklid goes over the engine, which is on the back on an air cooled Volkswagen, and in the front on many other vehicles.