Different emblem sizes on pre-'86 grilles?

[madmax25]

80 or 90% of the round eyed vans I see have the smaller emblem on the upper front grille, but I've noticed a few (including the one I pulled off of an '82[I think] in a junkyard) have a larger emblem that is interchangeable with the post 85 square grilles. The few I have seen with the larger emblems weren't a specific year or anything either. Anyone know what the story is? What's the difference? (aside from different size emblems )

vs.

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-Elliot

'88 Vanagon GL "Big Red"
'90 Westy

[bucko]

This is only a guess, but could it have something to do with a "Wolfsburg Edition" verses a non "Wolfsburg Edition"?

I see in your photo that one also has a chrome outer ring (painted) along with the larger VW emblem.
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Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia

Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181

[Lanval]

Since we have 3 aircooled westys here, we've had this discussion... why? Because Westy81's 81 Westy has the big emblem. Nathan@el's 80 has the small, and my 82 has the small.

I've replaced my grill, but the old one was small too. The grill I have have came off another air cooled here in OC.

The only difference that I know of among the vans is that Westy81's van is from Canada. Mine is a 49 stater, and Nathan@el's is a CA van.

I can't figure it out.

Best,

Lanval

[madmax25]

I'm thinking US vs. non US might have something to do with it...now that I think, seems like the euro-vans might have had a bigger frequency

I guess who knows and who cares...

I've got the bigger one( ) and I like it. Bucko, the 2nd pic is my van and it's actually white brushed on rustoleum that I redid over the long gone silver spray...I've got way too much time on my hands...
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-Elliot

'88 Vanagon GL "Big Red"
'90 Westy

[kevinbassplayer]

I believe VW started using the larger emblem with the 1989 year model (maybe 88 ) I have an 87 westy, has the smaller VW logo and no VW emblem in the rear

[1971BugGuy]

In 1988 VW dropped the small emblem in favour of the 4-7/8" emblem. This wasn't only true of the square headlamp grills but of all replacement round headlamp grills. So, for instance, you broke your grill on your '83 AFTER 1988, it was replaced with a grill bearing the late style emblem from the dealer.
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Only a fool or a child would judge a project before it reaches its completion.


1971 Super Beetle
1986 Vanagon Westfalia Weekender

[Phishman068]

I have a few of the larger emblum grills and i covet them. They are certainly uncommon.

The first one I got was confirmed to be from a 1985 german syncro.
The other two have come from unknown sources.

[syncrodoka]

VC has them in stock, brand new.
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1448_164/early_upper_grill_uses_late_emblem.html

[SteveVanB]

Weird, my buddy and I were just talking about this a few days ago. He swore he saw a round light grill with the larger emblem.....I told him to lay off the grass.......
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91 CARAT

[tarandusVDub]

1984 Base model 2WD. Small emblem.

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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

[juanb]

Interesting.

I have round headlights in my 89. I took the grille from an 85 in the junkyard in Richmond, CA. I'm pretty sure it was an 85. It certainly was a watercooled Westy with brown non-wood interior, so that narrows it to 84-85 for sure.

My emblem is big, and the whole grille is black (no signal of old silver paint in it either):

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1989 Westy AT, 2.2 GoWesty.
We drove it to Argentina: http://www.vanenvan.com

[JunkYarDog]

85GL I bought in Germany. It's a US spec van however but has the large emblem. I have a second grill that has the small one too.
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I have never owned a VW I didn't like, but there have been a few Fords and Chevy's.
85' GL Sunroof
68' Beetle sedan
72' Chevy C10 (LWB Step)
(67' Volvo 122S pending)