What is a Chassis Number and why does it matter?

• Vw Bus Serial Number Decoder

Understanding Volkswagen Chassis (VIN) Numbers and Engine numbers - To August 1979. Since the 1945 Volkswagen Vehicles have carried their identification serial numbers in a number of different formats. The following details only apply to German production, others vary. Type 1 (Cars) to 31st July 1964.

Fundamentally, a VW chassis number is your Vehicle’s Identification Number. But, more important to a VW enthusiast is that knowing the number(s) of your vehicle will enable you to correctly identify the production year (and sometimes month) of your car which, in turn, enables you to deduce what parts, options, features, and modifications are appropriate for it. VW used to introduce improvements into their cars when they were ready, and didn’t wait until the next “model year” to implement them. For example, early 1973 Beetles and Supers had a generator and fuel pump (and pushrod) that was DIFFERENT from the mid 73′ and newer cars (alternator equipped).

The chassis number is typically located in more than one place on VWs, and those locations may change depending on the production year. One of the ways that Type 1 VW’s are unique from the unibody vehicles of today is that the body and chassis were separate and interchangeable components. Over the years, for a variety of reasons, many bodies were been removed and remounted on newer or older chassis. It is useful (and recommended) to compare the body and chassis numbers of a VW before buying it, in order to know if you are getting an original pan/body combination (if that matters to you), or a vehicle that has been diassembled and restored/changed in the years since it was originally produced at the factory. Although there are legitimate reasons for a VW to have different body versus chassis numbers, non-matching body and chassis numbers can also be a red flag for a stolen vehicle. You will want to have the DMV check both numbers before purchasing one. (Better safe than sorry!) You need to be certain to check ALL of the ID number locations on a vehicle in order to know exactly what you are getting (or have acquired).

TYPE 1 (Beetle, SuperBeetle, Ghia, Thing) CHASSIS NUMBERS

Possible Chassis Number Locations on a Type 1:

Under the back seat, stamped on the floor pan just forward of the transmission linkage access cover
On the chassis identification plate (a silver aluminum plate riveted in the trunk, near the spare tire).
On the vehicle ID plate fastened to the dash near the windshield on the driver’s side (vehicles made after January 1, 1969).

Vw Bus Serial Number Decoder