1949

Chassis Number:
Engine Number:
Engine: 1131 cc,  25 HP
Fuel System: Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 0
Total Produced:

1)  (November) First Type 2 introduced (nicknamed: Bulli  (Workhorse)) Only models available:  Kombi and Panel van

1950   

Chassis Number
Engine Number
Engine: 1131 cc, 25 HP
Fuel System: Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 2
Total Produced: 9,145

 1) (May) Additional Model, Microbus, introduced: nicer upholstery, two-tone paint
 2) Fuel filler moved inside engine compartment (does not stick out the back)
 3) Upper front door hinges raised to the 'belt' line
 4) Engine lid prop moved from left side to right side of engine compartment
 5) Engine air intakes made horizontal, instead of veritical
 6) Windshield wipers on both sides of windshield (driver and passenger)
 7) (Later models) Front jack ports moved rearward for stronger support
 8) (Later models) Ventilation louvers in upper back corner of panel van
 9) Shape of front bumper changed
10) No rear bumper or rear window
11) Big cast aluminum 'VW' logo on front and back
12) All models have 16-inch wheels and come with 6.00 x 16 tires.

1951  

Chassis Number
Engine Number
Engine: 1300 cc, 36 HP @
Fuel System: Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 50
Total Produced: 11,805

 1) (June) Deluxe Microbus introduced (nicknamed Samba)
    with Skylight windows and canvas sliding sunroof
 2) Westfalia camper model introduced
 3) Longer dashboard with radio and clock
 4) Carpeted area behind rear seat
 5) Chrome trim on body
 6) (December) Ambulance model introduced, with rear opening door,
    gas tank moved out of engine compartment, spare tire moved out of
    engine compartment to behind front seat
 7) Rear window added
 8) Ventilation slats in upper rear corners were extended to match
    the engine compartment vents
 9) Rain gutters extended
10) Inside cargo door handle added
11) Front panel made in two pieces (not one piece)

1952   

Chassis Number       
Engine Number                         
1300 cc, 36 HP        
Fuel System: Solex PCI carburetor       
Imported to U.S.: 93
Total Produced: 20,366

1)  According to VWoA, 1952 was the first year the bus was officially imported into the U.S.
2)  (August) Single cab pickup introduced. Dropping side gates with smooth sides. Fuel tank moved to a shelf behind the engine, with the filler neck running out the side of the truck, in front of the right rear wheel well.
3)  Last year for piano hinge vent wings, smooth horn button and splined steering wheel, T-handle heater knob, two fuse boxes, the the 'shorty' parking brake handle.
4)  (October) Transmission gets synchronized gears in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

1953   

Chassis Number
Engine Number
Engine: 1300 cc, 36 HP @
Fuel System: Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 75
Total Produced:

1)  (March) Deluxe Microbus rear bumper as standard equipment (optional equipment on other models)

1954   

Chassis Number: 20-069-409   -
Engine Number: (20)-945,526 -
Engine:  1300 cc, 36 HP @
Fuel System:      Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.:         827
Total Produced:

1)  Pickup models get reinforcement in fold-down side panels
2)  Pickup models get rear bumper as standard equipement
3)  Engine size increased to 36 HP
4)  Speedometer changed to 60 MPH on U.S. models

1955   

Chassis Number 20-110-604   -
Engine Number
Engine: 1300 cc, 36 HP @
Fuel System:      Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.:       3,189
Total Produced:

1)  Ambulance features (rear door, spare tire and gas tank positions)
    made standard on all models
2)  (March) Front fresh air ventilation system introduced
3)  Full length dashboard
4)  All pedals changed
5)  Passenger 'footrest' eliminated
6)  (March) 15-inch wheels introduced (previously 16-inch).
       Standard tire becomes 6.40 x 15.
7)  Engine air louvers shortened
8)  Two-spoke steering wheel (previously three-spoke)
9)  Walk-through front seating available as an option

1956   

Chassis Number 20-160-706   -
Engine Number
Engine: 1300 cc, 36 HP @
Fuel System: Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 7,375
Total Produced:

1)  Semaphore turn signals eliminated; 'Bullet' front turn signals introduced in North American models
2)  (April 19th) Chassis 20-178-004 was last Type 2 built in Wolfsburg, new factory in Hannover begins production

1957   

Chassis Number    223-217      -
Engine Number     1-678-210
Engine:  1300 cc, 36 HP @
Fuel System:      Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.:      19,118
Total Produced:

1)  Center brake light, small taillights eliminated; larger circular
    brake/tail lights on each side of the rear

1958   

Chassis Number    315-209      -
Engine Number     2-156-321    -
Engine: 1300 cc, 36 HP @
Fuel System:      Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.:      25,036
Total Produced:       101,873

1)  Double cab pickup model introduced
2)  Stronger bumpers introduced, with over-riders on U.S. models

1959   

Chassis Number    469-506      -
Engine Number     3,400,000    -
Engine: 1300 cc, 36 HP @
Fuel System:      Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.:      32,133
Total Produced:       101,873

1)  Fully syncromesh transmission introduced (B-type)

1960   

Chassis Number    551-631      -
Engine Number     358,000      -
Engine: 1300 cc, 36 HP @
Fuel System:      Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.:      35,697
Total Produced:

1)  Wide-bed pickup trucks available on special order
2)  High roof delivery van available
3)  40 HP engine introduced in June (from chassis 614-456, engine 5,000,001)

1961   

Chassis Number 705-619      -
Engine Number 5,407,725    -
Engine: 1300 cc, 40 HP @
Fuel System: Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 22,754
Total Produced: 168,800

1)  New Ring/pinion unit in transmission
2)  Large oval front turn signals with plastic lenses replace 'bullets'
3)  Larger rear turn signals/brake lights with plastic lenses

1962   

Chassis Number 882-314      -
Engine Number 6,375,945    -
Engine: 1300 cc, 40 HP @
Fuel System: Solex PCI carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 32,514
Total Produced:

1)  (Oct 2nd) 1,000,000th Type 2 produced at Hannover factory
2)  Padded sun visors introduced (previously cardboard-like material)
3)  Gas gauge standard on all models

1963   

Chassis Number 1-048-085    -
Engine Number G 7-336-001  -
Engine: 1493 cc, 51 HP @ 4000, 70 ft-lb @ 2400
Fuel System:  Solex 28 PICT carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 39,383
Total Produced:

1)  Engine size increased to 1500 cc
2)  (April) Sliding side door available as option
3)  New brakes, rear axle and rear suspension
4)  New transfer case
5)  New front axle and front suspension
6)  (March) Engine air intake slots are pressed inwards
7)  (January) 28 PICT carburetor is fitted with electro-mechanical cut-off valve
8)  (December) Engine access hatch support changed to double spring with two rollers
9)  (December) Cab door trim panels secured by snaps instead of screws
10) (December) Door handles changed from pull-type to push-button

1964   

Chassis Number 1-222-500    -
Engine Number G 8-264-628  -
Engine: 1493 cc, 51 HP @ 4000, 70 ft-lb @ 2400
Fuel System: Solex 28 PICT carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 41,051
Total Produced: 200,000+

1)  Inside door handles reduced in size
2)  Rear hatch door widened
3)  Deluxe models no longer have rear corner windows
4)  14-inch wheels introduced (previously 15-inch) Standard tire becomes 7.00 x 14.

1965   

Chassis Number 215-000-001  -
Engine Number G 8-785-398  -
Engine: 1493 cc, 53 HP @ 4200, 78 ft-lb @ 2600
Fuel System: Solex 30 PICT-1 carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 34,054
Total Produced: 189,000+

1)  Front signals now amber in color
2)  New headlight housings
3)  New transmission
4)  Larger clutch plate (9-spring assembly)
5)  Chassis number changed to reflect model type (bus, pickup, etc.)
6)  (October) Cab doors fitted with fixed inner handle to facilitate
    closing doors from inside the vehicle
7)  Inner door lock operating handle replaced by small lever (similar
    to the one on the inside of the sliding door)

1966   

Chassis Number 216-000-001  -
Engine Number H 0-000-001  -
Engine: 1493 cc, 53 HP @ 4200, 78 ft-lb @ 2600
Fuel System: Solex 30 PICT-1 carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 40,198
Total Produced:

1)  Press-button lock on rear hatch

1967   

Chassis Number 217-000-001  -
Engine Number H 0-183-373  -
Engine: 1493 cc, 53 HP @ 4200, 78 ft-lb @ 2600
Fuel System: Solex 30 PICT-1 carburetor
Imported to U.S.: 29,049

1)  Electrical system changed to 12 volts
2)  2-speed windshield wipers introduced
3)  Rear hatch door widened
4)  Rear hatch lock integrated with lift handle; grip recess in body
    is eliminated
5)  Lock and square key discontinued for fuel filler cap cover
6)  New door lock mechanism