VW Glossary

A

A-Pillar

Support pillar found on either side of the windshield.

Air Cooled

Typically refers to early VW engine cooling design. Engine fan pushes cool air (inside fan shroud and cylinder tins) over the cylinder heads and through the oil cooler.

Adjustable Beam:

Aftermarket front end beam used to raise/lower the vehicles front end. Can be stock width or narrowed for use with disc brake kits.

Alternator:

Electrical generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy via rotating magnetic field. Generators were used through 1973 predominately. Late 1973 is the first time alternators were available for most VW's.

Aftermarket:

Designates a product is not made by Original Equipment Manufacturer.

American Style (Window Rubber):

"American Style" refers to the original Window Rubber seal design for USA market. These seals came with grooves that accommodated window trim which was inserted in the seal prior to window installation.

Apron:

Body sheet metal found between front or rear fenders. Typically refers to metal panel found under the front hood or above the rear exhaust.

Autostick:

Semi-automatic transmission found in Beetles and Ghias. Came with 3 speeds.

B

B-Pillar

Support pillar located behind front door.

Baja:

Refers to a beetle which has been outfitted for off-road use. Commonly outfited with fiberglass fenders, aggressive oversized tires, lifted suspension, performance exhaust, and open engine access.

Ball Joint:

Spherical bearing used to connect control arms to steering knuckle. Originally found in VW's 1966 and later.

Barn Door:

Nickname for VW Transporter Bus produced through 1955. The term "Barn Door" was used to describe the large square engine decklid.

Barrel Nut

Specialized nut used to connect accelerator cables and heater cables to linkage.

Bay Window:

Refers to VW Type 2 models with large single-piece front windshield. 1968-79

Beauty Rings:

Stainless Steel or Aluminum trim rings used to enhance appearance of stock-style wheels. Mounts behind hub caps.

Bowden Tube:

Alternate name for clutch cable tube. Used as protective sleeve used to extend clutch cable from chassis to transmission.

Bows:

Can refer to wooden bows used in convertible top installation, or thin metal rods used to support sedan headliners.

C

Cabriolet:

Originally refered to early convertible Beetle & Ghia models. Later used as a reference for convertible rabbits & sciroccos.

Cal Look:

Style of modyfing VW cars made popular in the 60's. originated in southern California. Often involved lowering the vehicle, installing 1-piece windows, removing all window & side trim, and installing aftermarket "Blade" bumpers.

Camber:

Tilt or side inclanation of wheels. Can be positive (wheels lean out at top) or negative (wheels lean out at bottom). Often associated with swing axles chassis and lowered vehicles.

Cancer:

Severe rust. Often calls for replacing the body panel where found.

Chassis:

The base frame of vehicle. Includes center tunnel, front beam mount, floor pans & heater channels, and transmission mount.

Chassis Number:

Vehicle identification number. (see VIN below)

Check Rod:

Door hinge used to prevent doors from opening too far out. Must be removed prior to installing 1-piece windows.

Crankshaft:

Rotating shaft driven by piston cranks. Transmits rotation energy to the clutch.

Cir Clip:

Retaining ring. Used with spedometer cables, CV joints, and bearings.

CC's:

Cubic Centimeters. Approximate number of displacement volume of the engine. Example: 1200cc is roughly 1.2 litres.

Connecting Rod:

Rod that connects piston to the crankshaft.

Coilover:

Suspension device. Refers to suspension coil over shock. Shock absorber and spring work together as one unit.

Clutch Disc:

Spinning plate with asbestos friction pads. Sits on splines in transmission drive train. Works in conjuntion with flywheel and pressure plate to transmit rotational energy to drivetrain.

CV Joint:

Axle Joint which allows vertical movement of axle shafts. Found on both ends of axle shaft on I.R.S. transmissions.

D

Decklid:

Engine cover. Can be flat, curved, internal or external depending on VW model.

Displacement:

Engine displacement is the swept volume of all the pistons inside the cylinders of a piston engine. Displacement is often used to represent the size of the engine, and is calculated by multiplying the travel of the piston, by the circular area of pistons bore, by the number of pistons.

Doghouse:

Engine Fan shroud associated with late model VW's. Doghouse fanshrounds accommodate the oil cooler externaly, with use of 2 additional engine tin pieces. Provide more efficient cooling over previous "upright" style fan shrouds by relocating the oil cooler away from the number 3 cylinder.

Drop Spindles:

Aftermarket modified wheel spindle used to lower vehicles stance at the front end.

Dual Port:

Dual Port refers to cylinder heads with 2 intake passages.

Dune Buggy:

Refers to fiberglass recreational kit cars. Often designed for off-road use with large wheels, roofless tops, fixed doors, and exposed roll bars or cages.

E

EMPI

Manufacturer of aftermarket performance parts for VW's. Founded in the mid 1950's by Joe Vittone in Riverside CA. Joe owned a volkswagen dealership and believed the humble 36hp VW could compete with the popular detroit muscle cars of the day. European Motor Parts Inc (EMPI) began when Joe decided to produce performance valve guides. From there he moved on to engine conversion kits, rear stabilizers, and a slew of aftermarket performance parts. Many of EMPI's original produts were developed and tested on the race track for the legendary "Inch Pincher" race car which rivaled many of the fastest cars of it's day. This not only solidified EMPI's reputation, but also elevated the humble VW beetle to a new level.

Eyebrow

Aftermarket headlight trim.

F

Fastback

Variant model of Type 3. Body line slopes in rear from roof to bumper.

Fuel Line

Description coming sooon.

Fuel Tap

Description coming sooon.

Foot Wells:

Description coming sooon.

Floor Pan:

Description coming sooon.

G

H

Hand Brake:

Description coming sooon.

Hand Brake Cable:

Description coming sooon.

Heater Cable:

Description coming sooon.

Heater Channel:

Description coming sooon.

I

I.R.S.:

Independent Rear Suspension Was the standard rear suspension for Beetles from 1969-1979.

J

J Tubes:

Description coming sooon.

K

Kick Panel:

Description coming sooon.

King Pin:

Description coming sooon.

L

Link Pin:

Description coming sooon.

M

Main Bearing:

Description coming sooon.

Main Seal:

Description coming sooon.

N

Narrowed Beam:

Description coming sooon.

O

P

Pressure Plate:

Description coming sooon.

Q

R

Rod Bearing:

Description coming sooon.

S

Shift Rod:

Description coming sooon.

Shift Rod Coupler:

Description coming sooon.

Spindles:

Description coming sooon.

Starter:

Description coming sooon.

Struts:

Description coming sooon.

Super Beetle:

Description coming sooon.

Swing Axle:

Description coming sooon.

T

Thrust Bearing:

Description coming sooon.

Torsion Leaves:

Description coming sooon.

Towers:

Description coming sooon.

Type 1:

The designation "Type 1" refers to VW Beetle and VW Ghia Models.

Type 2:

The designation "Type 1" refers to VW Transporter, Single Cab, Double Cab, and Bus Models.

Type 3

The designation "Type 1" refers to VW Squareback, Notchback, and Fastback Models.

Type 34

Description coming sooon.

Thing

Typically refers to a model VW released in 1973-1974.

Throw Out Bearing:

Description coming sooon.

U

V

VIN:

Vehicle Identification Number. Indicates production month/year. Can be found enscribed on a plate by windshield, door jamb, and on Chassis under the rear seat. We strongly suggest verifying your VIN matches your car year before ordering parts.

W

Wingnut:

Description coming sooon.

X

Y

Z