Get to know your Volkswagen.

English · machine-assisted draft

Front or rear lift-up portion of an auto body for engine or trunk access

• auto
• body
• engine

English · machine-assisted draft

A Carat with a Westy poptop for extra sleeping space and a smaller rear cabinet.

• vanagon
• variant

English · machine-assisted draft

Basic Bus model without seats or windows in the rear compartment, often used for commercial purposes.

• bus
• model
• variant

English · machine-assisted draft

The horizontal line defined by the lower edges of a vehicle's windscreen, rear and side windows and pillars.

• body
• interior

English · machine-assisted draft

A component that contains the parts that supply power to the rear wheels, located in front of the engine.

• vanagon
• transmission

English · machine-assisted draft

Term referring to the smaller rear axle nut and reduction box design used in pre-1964 VW Buses

• bus
• vw

English · machine-assisted draft

A device in the front differential of a Syncro that provides the switching action between the rear diff/wheels and the front.

• syncro
• viscus

English · source definition

Special model of the bus , based on the Standard bus , first available in 1951. The most notable feature was the smaller engine lid than the previous Barndoors , and a rear hatch hinged at the bottom, which allowed stretchers to be loaded into the interior of the bus . The gas tank and spare tire were moved in order to accomodate the rear hatch.

English · machine-assisted draft

System designed to reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions by coordinating deceleration of the torso and head.

• safety
• comfort

English · source definition

A type of rear axle that is 'fixed' at the wheel (that is, it is not able to flex up or down), but is able to move up and down at the transmission end. It required the rear wheels to move in an arc, rather than vertically, when hitting bumps. in some cars (beetles and corvairs and some early porsches), it could cause the wheel to tuck under the car during high speed cornering.

English · source definition

Buses made before mid-1955, whose major characteristics are the oversized engine lid and the lack of a rear cargo hatch. These also did not have the ventilation eyebrow above the windshield/windscreen.

English · source definition

Any Volkswagen Transporter of any model and any year. Specifically those VW Transporters from 1968 to 1979, distinquished by a large one-piece windshield and rounded body contours. all had double-jointed independent rear suspension. also called T2 Transporter .

English · source definition

Any of the Volkswagen Transporters from 1992 to present. some were sold in Europe in 1991. generally characterized by their engine located in the front of the vehicle, driving the front wheels, and their very rounded shape and huge rear hatch.

English · source definition

A small radiator that transfers heat from engine coolant to air for the cabin heating system. Vanagons may have front and additional rear heat exchangers, depending on equipment and market.

• engine
• water-cooled
• heating

English · source definition

The folding or sliding sleeping platform fitted beneath a camper pop-up roof on equipped models. It is stowed when the roof is lowered and is distinct from the lower rear bench bed.

• camper
• bed
• interior

English · machine-assisted draft

An aftermarket exhaust system sold under the Monza name. Paruzzi describes chromed rear outlets and lists this Vanagon/T25 configuration for carbureted Type-4 engines. The name refers to exhaust hardware and its sound/appearance, not to an engine upgrade or proof that it fits every Vanagon powerplant.

• exhaust
• type4

English · source definition

The four-wheel drive version of the Vanagon , made between 1986 and 1991. using a viscous coupling arrangement, the front wheels could be made to automatically provide pulling power (at any time the rear wheels began to slip or spin). This term also applies to the four-wheel drive EuroVans , which are unfortunately not imported into the United States.

English · machine-assisted draft

In this glossary entry, “shift rod bushing” refers to the rear guide bushing listed for Vanagon/T25. Paruzzi gives different VIN breakpoints for Syncro and non-Syncro applications around April 1987, so the generic name does not establish fitment. Confirm the chassis/VIN and linkage position before treating a catalog match as compatible.

• transmission
• vanagon
• t25

English · machine-assisted draft

A suspension damper that controls spring oscillation after the wheels cross a bump and helps maintain tire contact and road control. Paruzzi’s front oil-filled listing is for Vanagon/T25 except Syncro, and the catalog lists Syncro dampers separately. “Shock absorber” describes a function, not a complete fitment; front/rear position and Syncro configuration matter.

• suspension
• vanagon
• t25

English · machine-assisted draft

A replaceable guide bushing for the forward section of the gearshift linkage. Paruzzi separates these front bushings from the middle and rear supports and lists this Vanagon/T25 part for Type-4 or diesel engines through July 1982, and CT or CZ engines through December 1982. Check the actual engine and linkage against that catalog scope; “front” alone does not confirm fitment.

• shift
• rod
• bushing

English · source definition

An accessory package originally available on the Vanagon that bridged the gap between the passenger van and the camping-oriented Westfalia model. With the included rear bench that folded into a double-bed, fold-out table, and privacy curtains, an owner could easily move seven people during the week and provide sleeping space for two on the weekends. This idea and name have just been reintroduced as a model of the revamped Eurovan called the MV Weekender .