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History of Kombis

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z1gg33 Learner Dubber

12 posts · joined Sep 2006 ·

#530669
Can anyone point me in the direction of understanding the model/types of the kombi, Saw an excellent post on another forum and made me want more. (book was recommended, and will borrow it ASAP, but it seems this was more about repair/service on them)

Basically, not knowing a great deal about them, I'd like to find out what models exist, and the differences between them engines etc

I have had a bit of a look around this forum, and forgive me if they do exist, but at present I have not found this kind of time line history.

So if anybody has a link to anything that may get me a bit up to speed on this I'd greatly appreciate it.

I am in the early stages of trying to find out relevant information before I make a purchase. I have allot of question but I better get the basics first 😉 before I post wh0re out.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#530799
z1gg33 wrote:Can anyone point me in the direction of understanding the model/types of the kombi, Saw an excellent post on another forum and made me want more. (book was recommended, and will borrow it ASAP, but it seems this was more about repair/service on them)

Basically, not knowing a great deal about them, I'd like to find out what models exist, and the differences between them engines etc
I have had a bit of a look around this forum, and forgive me if they do exist, but at present I have not found this kind of time line history.
So if anybody has a link to anything that may get me a bit up to speed on this I'd greatly appreciate it.
I've never seen a site that gives out all the information on type 2s etc...
I have books on the beetle changes year by year, but never seen one on the Kombi type 2 etc..

I'm still trying to see the differences in the bay window models...
I've been told some have lower headlamps than others...
but I just cannot see it...
Maybe a tape measure to the nationals next year..:P:P:P
[no, not a metal tape measure]

You can look at :
http://vintagebus.com/
for pics etc for buses up to 1967... pics diagrams etc...

but I haven't been able to find any list of changes year by year.. and nothing on later type 2 kombi or buses..

Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Warrenm Wolfsburg Wizard

466 posts · joined Aug 2004 ·

#530803
Early Bays have low traffic indicators and "oval" styled tailights.
Also front cab steps are external. They then went to the squarish tailights-still low park lights/indicators and out side steps.
Next was high indicators, steps inside door. From 73 went to Type 4 motor at 1700 cc and then progressed to 1800 and 2000cc.
Just brief note:kiss
Kombi Konnection
Beetle Bugs and Dubs

amazeer Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,029 posts · joined Nov 2005 ·

#530840
Pre 73 they arent worth having... 😎 *duck*....
The indicators moved high, bumpers went square, the 1600's began their path to extinction. Engine bay opened up to accomodate type 4, but used hermaphrodite tinware. Hatch above engine appeared with the type 4 engine. fuel filler flap dissappeared. Did disc brake appear now or a year earlier? not sure.

Lots of changes happened around 76, 77. I have been told that the factory jigs were replaced in 77 so they are better built than earlier. Rubberised steering wheel (and handbrake handle?), black face guages, different steering column, better accel linkage (and floor section under it), brake warning light dissapeared, engine lid hinges changed, EFI option all happened around this 76/77 period. Did auto trans become available now?

gear boxes changed with more strengthening ribs and taller gearing as engines went from 1600 - 1700 - 1800 -> 2000. Clutch went beigger on 2litre, requiring different flywheel, bellhousing and starter. Front shiftrod length changed by 12mm or so, though seemed to make bugger all difference in my car.

[ Edited on 5-9-2006 by amazeer ]

Schmoburger Baywindow Mafia Godfather and Cement-Shoe Fitter

2,185 posts · joined Oct 2005 ·

#530895
this may clear a bit of confusion... 🙂

1968-69 - Bays had 1600 engines, smaller air intakes, small oval taillghts, low mounted front indicators, worm and peg steering box, rounded wraparound bumpers with steps at each end on the front, a non collapsible steering column, wide-5 pattern wheels like a splitty, 4-wheel drum brakes and a 3-rib gearbox. hubcaps were the very prominent type found on splittys and early beetles. Single-circuit brakes.

1970 - identical except for the replacement of single-circuit brakes with dual circuit type.

1971 - visually almost identical to a 68-70 Kombi, however the front end was disc brake, and the hubs and wheels were changed to the smaller 5 stud pattern common on Audi's and Fords. The wheels had holes evenly spaced around the rim to promote better ventilation of the disc brakes. Hubcaps on these wheels are flatter and simply press onto the rim rather than clipping on like previous VW's. these rims, caps and brakes were carried on till the end of kombi production.

1972 - '72 Kombi's have the same bumper bars and low indicators as previous models, however the rear end is significantly changed with a wider engine lid and significantly enlarged engine cavity to accomodate the 1700 type 4 engine that was now available as an option starting in 1972, as well as larger air intakes and a permanently welded (as opposed to removable) rear valance. The small oval taillights were replaced with large rectangular assemblies. The gearbox remains the same. petrol filler door was moved back midway thru production.

1973 - 1973 Kombi's had the 1700 type 4 engine as standard, and had the low indicators replaced by high mounted square indicators mounted either side of the front air vent grille. The wraparound bumper bars were replaced in favour of shorter and flatter bars without steps, the front one of which was mounted on an impact absorbing reinforced mounting level with the chassis rails to improve safety in a frontal impact. the worm and peg steering gearbox was replaced by a somewhat better worm and roller type. 1973 and later microbuses and kombis *generally* had an engine access door added atop the engine bay. 1973 introduced the first fully automatic transmission in a Kombi, available as an option.

1974 - similar to the '73 in most respects externally, however the square fuel door was replaced with a bare round metal fuel cap mounted flush with the side rather than recessed in the body like on previous models. the updated 1800cc engine replaced the 1700 as standard equipment, and with this engine came a different gearbox to better suit the new engines vastly improved output.
The seats had headrests fitted on all Kombis starting from 1974, to comply with safety regulations. Speedo changed from MPH to KPH.

1975 - Externally identical to 1974. 1975 saw the advent of the collapsible steering column in the Kombi, and different cowlings behind the steering wheel. the late models had updated 2L engines coupled to the 1800 gearbox.

1976 - Almost identical in all respects to 1975 model. all 1976 Kombi's were sold standard with the new 2L engine, and this was mated to a new larger, longer and higher geared transmission, resulting in the shortening of the shifter linkages to suit. An improved automatic transmission was introduced as an option with the 1976 model. Acellerator setup on automatics changed so as to run via the gearbox.

1977 - almost the same as above but with minor interior changes, namely a vastly improved accelerator linkage and standardisation of the rubberised steering wheel previously available as a deluxe option. 1600 engine droppedas an option?

1978 - identical except for the introduction of hydraulic lifters on the 2L engine.

1979 - Identical to the above except for the standardization of the Bosch L-jetronic Fuel Injection system on Australian Kombi's. Last year of Bay production.

Cheers!
Kieran 👍

[ Edited on 5-9-2006 by Schmoburger ]
1976 Kombi Trakka camper, "Buttercup"... driver.
1976 Beluxe Microbus, "Saphir"... resto.
1974 Kombi panelvan, "George"... shed.
1974 Superbug, "Schmeetle"... resto.
[img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b366/c

z1gg33 Learner Dubber

12 posts · joined Sep 2006 ·

#531084
Cheers,

I'll get some questions happening (do I hear an "oh joy sound" from the forum) 🙂