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VW Dictionary
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0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

L/100km The acronym for "Liters per 100 kilometers". This is the standard measurement of fuel economy under the metric system. "Liters per distance" indicates how much fuel is required to go a certain distance, while the English method is just the opposite. "Distance per gallon" indicates how far you can go on a given amount of fuel. (10 L/100km is approximately equal to 23 mpg). 

L Code Paint code.

Ladder Tower A fire-fighting ladder tower that appears to be about 35 feet tall, built onto a single-cab Pritschenwagen

LaGrande 1975 Special Edition of the VW Super Beetle.  Offered in Anacona Metallic (blue, 97B) or Metallic Viper Green (98B) paint.  Canada also offered Harvest Gold (98C). Standard options were a sunroof, 4.5J Lemmerz GT sport wheels, bumpers with rubber insert, leather grained wheel, leather grained seats with cord inserts, a faux rosewood wood grain dash, and optional matching center console.  Related to the earlier Sun Bug special model.

Lagwagen German: "auto home" (mobile home or RV). It applies to *all* campers. It's commonly (and incorrectly) used to describe just the Bay Window buses, but should be used to categorize all buses which have camper kits installed regardless of YOM (year of manufacture).

Large Nut Refers to the size of the rear axle nut and reduction box design on a 1964-67 Bus.  A large nut reduction box uses a 46 mm axle nut and has a gear ratio of 1.26:1.  Also see Small Nut

Lemmerz Lemmerz (pronounced Lemmertz) was a German company that made steel wheels and aluminum trim rings for VW, EMPI, and others.

Lever Shocks Rear Shocks used on Split Beetles and Barndoor (50-2/55) Buses, consisting of an arm joined to internal 2 internal valves filled with oil..  Internal valving rates differed between Beetle and Bus.

License plate frame See Dealer plate frame

Lieferwagen German: "delivery vehicle"

LiMBO The acronym for the Late Model Bus Organization, International. This U.S. club was established in 1988 to help members maintain, restore, buy, or sell 1968 and newer Bay Windows, Vanagons, and Eurovans
Pre-1968 Transporters are represented by NEATO.

Link Pin Smaller portion of the front suspension arms on an early VW. (Pre-1967 Beetles and pre-1968 Buses in the USA)

Limousine At times, enthusiasts seem compelled to build limousine versions of various VWs.  These are stretched cars comprised of two or more sections of different cars fastened together.
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Literature Term refers to VW brochures, etc.

Loaf Term for the Bay Window Bus

Lobster Claw Seat belts found in Beetle, Ghia, and Type 3 vehicles from the 1967-1971

Logo or Logo'd Term used to describe the business name painted on the side of company-owned VWs.  Often, most frequently seen on Panelvans, Kombis, Single Cabs, and Double Cabs.
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Long Block Long block refers to the bare engine, including the engine case, heads, crankshaft, camshaft, and pistons.  It does includes any external accessories such as intake manifolds, carburetors, generator/alternator, or fan shroud.

Louvers Raised or depressed slots in body panels, usually for the use of inducting air. Was also used as a customization option commonly seen back in the 80s.

Love Bug A special edition in 1974, which was based on a regular Bug sedan. It came in only two colors; sort of a pea green, and a very dark orange. Everything that would be chrome was painted flat black, plus it came with 4.5" Sport Wheels. There were no changes to the interior.

Low-Back Seats Bucket-style seat used on VW sedans where the seat back rises only to the mid-back.  Used through the 1967 model year on US-delivered vehicles.
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Low Hinge Refers to the position of the door hinges on the Split Bus body.  Low hinges were used after late 1960 (1961 models onward)
Also see High Hinge

Low Light Slang term for the 1959 and earlier Karmann Ghias, which have a headlight location that is 2" lower on the body than later models.

Low Loader Single Cab with optional swinging side gate conversion to allow for low access to the bed.

Lowered Type of customization where the vehicle's stock height is reduced.  In Bugs and Buses, this involves cutting and re-welding the front beam and/or installing drop conversion kits manufactured to fit either link pin or spindle front ends.  The rear can be slammed by reindexing the rear torsion bars. For additional slang terms, see dumped, and body-dropped..

LT VW truck sold in Europe and Brazil.  Various models (LT28, LT31, LT35, LT40, LT55, LT80,...) with many different body styles.  Produced with either gasoline or diesel engine, most with 2.4L (6 cyl.).

Lug nut Bolt used to mount the wheel to the brake drum or disc brake rotor.

Lunchwagen Bus special model used for mobile food service.
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