VW Chassis & Production Numbers
Knowing your Air Cooled Volkswagen's chassis and production numbers can impress your friends. It can also save you time and headaches when tackling a big project or restoration. Mid America Motorworks reviews the basics of important numbers on your VW, including where to find them, what abbreviations mean and how to confirm you choose the correct parts for your projects.
- OEMOriginal Equipment Manufacturer
- OEOriginal Equipment
- RemanRemanufactured
- CarbCarbureted
- Fuel InjFuel Injected
- Left or LDriver Side of Car (left side)
- Right or RPassenger Side of Car (right side)
- L/RLeft and/or Right
- FrtFront
- RRRear
- QtrQuarter
- P/UpPickup (Single and/or Crew Cab)
- M/TManual Transmission
- A/TAutomatic Transmission
- IRSIndependent Rear Suspension
- STDStandard
- SBSuper Beetle
- ConvConvertible
- O.D.Outside Diameter
- I.D.Inside Diameter
- HPHorsepower
- CcCubic Centimeter
- mMeter
- mmMillimeter
- ozOunce
- "L, "W, or "H"Inches Long, Width, Height
- pc, pcsPiece, Pieces
- prPair
- eaEach
- ChChassis
- #Number
- w/ or w/outWith or Without
- NLANo Longer Available
- T1 or Type 1Beetle Sedan, Convertible & Ghias
- T2 or Type 2Bus, Pick-up, Crew Cab
- T3 or Type 3Squareback, Fastback or Notchback
Frequently Asked Questions
Is your car a Super Beetle?
Super Beetles were first produced in 1971. All Beetle Convertibles from 1971-1979 are Super Beetles. If your car's spare tire lies flat, and/or the car has louvered slots below the front bumper, your car is a Super Beetle. Please note that 1971-1972 Super Beetles have flat windshields just like Standards. Therefore, a flat windshield does not necessarily mean your car is a Standard Beetle.
How to tell if a part fits Convertible, Sedan or Both.
Parts fitting sedans only will specify "Sedan" or "Sed". Parts fitting Convertible only will specify "Convertible" or "Conv." Parts fitting both Sedan and Convertible will not specify anything.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR CHASSIS NUMBER!
Volkswagen made changes during some model years. Knowing your chassis numbers will help you in ordering the right replacement part. This section is designed to aid you in finding your chassis number.
CHASSIS NUMBER LOCATIONS
Type 1 and Type 3
-
Stamped on the transmission tunnel under the back seat.
Type 2 vehicles
The Chassis Number can be found in one or more of the following locations:
- On the vertical surface to the right of the engine (early models).
- On the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate located on the right side of the overhead fresh air duct in the cab of the Bus.
- On the panel behind the drivers seat.
- On the right hand engine cover plate.
- On the left hand engine cover plate (late models).
- On the VIN plate near the windshield in front of the drivers position.
The chassis number will also be the same as the "VIN" number on your title or registration.
MID YEAR CHANGES
Parts that are affected by mid year changes are designated by Chassis numbers. You'll need to check the Chassis number (under rear seat) or VIN number (on your title) to assure you order the correct part for your specific car. When a part fits several different models, we have combined the first three digits of each model's Chassis number. For instance, 1973 was a year in which Super Beetle Convertibles, Super Sedans, and Standard Sedans were produced. The beginning Chassis number for 1973 representing all three models would appear as follows. 153/133/113 2000 001.