VW Types: Model Type System Explained

If you have been hanging around VW car owners or enthusiasts, you have probably noticed that they use abbreviations when talking about classic VWs. Although these abbreviations can be confusing, understanding the VW Type designation systems can make a huge difference.

First, it will make you look cool to your VW friends. Also, you will better understand the numbers associated with classic VWs, such as chassis numbers, engine numbers, and VIN.

Understanding the Basics of the VW Type Designation System

When the manufacturers of “the people’s car” started producing handy VWs, they adopted a model Type system to identify each model. The VW Type system has been around for more than 50 years now. There are three different VW Types, namely:

• Vehicle model Type
• VW transporter model Type
• VW engine design Type

These VW Type designations classify each model based on the body style, engine, and mechanical features. The Type system usually consists of the model, an engine code, and the year the car was manufactured. Let’s discuss each designation Type system in detail below.

The VW Vehicle Model Type Explained

The first Volkswagen prototypes graced the market as the world war was coming to an end. The prototypes and wartime productions created during this period included:

Type VW-3

Dalmer-Benz built the first three prototypes of the Type VW-3 series. Two of these prototypes had a wooden frame, while the third prototype was the first all-metal VW model.

Type VW38

The pilot production of the Type VW38 models started around July 26th, 1938. The prototypes underwent mountain trials before taking a promotional tour across major cities and towns in Germany. Approximately 60 Type VW38 vehicles were built.

Type 166

Erwin Komenda built the VW Type 166 Schwimmwagen in the early 1940s. The VW 166 was an amphibious 4×4 vehicle will a fully independent suspension on each corner. This is probably why many Germans called it the swimming car. It also featured 2F self-locking differentials on the rare and front axles. The vehicle also came with a water-tight hull, power take-off, and portable gear hub. Its speed was 80 km/h.

Type 87

The VW Type 87, popularly referred to as Kommandeurswagen, was produced around 1943 for the high-ranking officers in the army. Like the VW Type 166, it was also a four-wheel drive with a portable gear hub.

Type 82E

The VW Type 82E was primarily used as a staff vehicle by officers in the German army. It’s a two-wheel-drive version of the Type 87 Kommandeurswagen. The model started production just before the start of world war two.

Type 82

The VW Types 82 vehicle, also known as Kublewagen, was a light military vehicle designed for use during world war two by the German army. Kublewagen is the German word for a bucket-seat car. The vehicle had bucket seats to keep its occupants safe before seatbelts were adopted.

Production VW Type Designations

Apart from the wartime production models and the prototypes, the manufacturers of Volkswagen also introduced a production VW Type designation series for other models, including:

• VW Type 1
• VW Type 2
• VW Type 3
• VW Type 4

What is a Type 1 VW?

The VW Type 1 is the first production model designed for civilians. Although it was first created in the 1930s, mass production of this civilian Volkswagen started to increase before the end of world war two. The model was inspired by Porsche’s prototype 1 and was internally designated the VW Type 1. It was also known as T1 or TI and included models like the Beetle, SuperBeetle, Thing, and Hebmuller.

What is Type 2 VW?

The VW Type 2, officially known as the transporter and informally as the bus, is a lightweight commercial vehicle introduced into the market after world war two. It was given the factory designation Type 2 because it was the second car model built after the VW Type 1. Volkswagen engineers had to create a more handy model since the VW Type 1 Beetle struggled to withstand heavy usage due to a weak chassis. Type 2 versions include the transporter bus, van, Vanagon, Kombi, crew cab, and other vans or buses that followed.

What is a Type 3 VW?

The VW Type 3, also known as T3 or TIII, was a compact vehicle introduced at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was available in three body styles: Notchback, Fastback, and Squareback. The VW Type 3 was the first German vehicle with electronic fuel injection. The idea behind its production was to be more of a family car than the VW Type 1 model. However, it was not as popular as VW Type 1 models like the Beetle.

What is a Type 4 VW?

The VW Type 4 model was an air-cooled automobile produced in 1968. The concept behind the VW Type 4 was to diversify the other VW Type designations. However, it was not as popular as the other Type designations. In fact, only 400 units were manufactured before Volkswagen ceased production. It was also referred to as T4 or TIV.

VW Transporter Type

By now, you are probably aware that the VW Transporter Type refers to the VW Type 2. Understanding the VW Transporter Type designation will help you differentiate between the different models in this series, namely:

• The T1 Transporter Type, such as the Early Bus
• T2 such as Late Bus, also known as Bay Window or Loaf
• T3 such as Aircooled Vanagon style van, nicknamed brick

Please note that Volkswagen did not create these designations. Instead, it was created by VW enthusiasts to refer to different Transporter Type Models.

VW Engine Design Type

All air-cooled VW vehicles had an air-cooled engine installed at the back. The engine’s gearbox is mounted on the front part of the engine to drive the rear wheels. Aircooled engines rely on airflow to keep the engines cool. Each VW Type designation had a specific engine. However, the VW Type 2 models were later fitted with the Type 4 engine. Let’s discuss VW engines by “Type” below:

Type 1 Engines

The Type 1  engine, also known as the “Upright” engine, was available in different sizes, including 36HP, 40HP, 1,300cc, 1,500cc single port, dual-port, and 1,600cc dual port and single port. However, Volkswagen ceased the production of single port intakes in 1971.

Type 2 Engines

Like the Type 1 engine, the Type 2 engine is also known as “upright” because early VW Type 2 models used Type 1 engines. However, the VW Type 2 models had a larger engine to handle the rigorous usage. Type 2 engines were later switched to Type 4 flat engines.

Type 3 Engines

The Type 3 engine, also known as the “pancake,” was a Type 1 engine that had a different cooling system consisting of the clutch and exhaust.

Type 4 Engines

The Type 4 engine, also known as the “suitcase” or “flat” engine, was introduced in 1968. It was designed to power the family cars.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know everything about the VW Type designation system, you can shop for vintage VW auto parts confidently. Here at Kairous, Inc, we are proud to be your trusted source of top-quality parts for all VW Types.