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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32584 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 6:56 am Post subject: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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The title year choice is arbitrary .......
but in a recent thread a discussion arose about rain gutter differences.
Try as I might I could not find much in the way of photos or exact model year change information.
There are a LOT of body changes over the years, maybe a thread like this exists? If so link to it and stop this one dead in its tracks.
Rain Gutters.....
As I understand it, the 1980 model was introduced with a very pronounced rounded rain gutter.......
Like this....... (Thank You Gruppe B ! )
What year did this gutter design end and the newer squared style like I have on my 86 begin ?
My 86 .......
Rear.....
Front .......
Here is my Right Rear Rain Gutter without the plastic decorative trim..... (Oh Joy..... RUST!!! ).....
Drawing (not by me! Unknown source, Google search)
Interesting side note on rain gutters, in the gutter is stamped the date the roof assembly was pressed!
Is this true for all years?
Mine is stamped 04/86 and my primary assembly date is 05/86.
It is right above the upper forward edge of the door (blue arrow is pointing to the location) but you can only view it from the top looking DOWN into the gutter......
Does this type of date stamp appear on other assemblies????
Davel _________________ Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Last edited by djkeev on Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:18 am; edited 4 times in total |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32584 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:14 am Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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The rear hatch went through several iterations, as did the front grills _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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ZsZ Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2010 Posts: 1645 Location: Budapest Hungary, Europe
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:17 am Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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front windscreen washer nozzles
pre '87:
post '87:
and he graphic is a Fiamma awning console with Fiamma F35 awning
****** Moderator edit (addition) to keep it together....
It wasn't just the square headlights for my 86 has the older nozzle location....
_________________ Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008 |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32584 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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D Clymer Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 2978 Location: Issaquah, WA
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:26 am Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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Three production changes that quickly come to mind:
1. Rear license plate/oil filler flap handle changed from curled style to grab handle. (1983 or 1984)
2. Rear decklid push-button and surrounding sheetmetal revised. (1984)
3. Chrome front bumper gained embossed ridge along back edge. Used to be flat like the rear.
I'll add pictures when I have a chance. Fun thread!
D |
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ZsZ Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2010 Posts: 1645 Location: Budapest Hungary, Europe
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:43 am Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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rear decklid vw logo moved to the center in '87
pre '84 with small button:
Photo of an early 1980....
'84 to '87 with bigger button but no vw logo:
post '87 with big vw logo:
_________________ Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008 |
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ZsZ Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2010 Posts: 1645 Location: Budapest Hungary, Europe
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:58 am Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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I think the front grill thing was more like model related in Euro market
Four versions: round headlights with small logo, round headlights with large logo, square headlights small logo and square headlights with large logo. _________________ Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008 |
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noganav Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006 Posts: 1236 Location: San Diego CA
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:15 am Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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The 1980 vans had a different frame. Box instead of I-beam. And there's the rear vents and rain gutters of course. There were a few other little differences too. Antenna placement was all over the place, I think a lot of them were added by the dealer.
Just as interesting are the things that exist on early vans as provisions for later upgrades. The whole front end was obviously built to accept a radiator one day. But VW also had smaller plans. My 1980 had the tabs to accept the mounting bracket for a fiberglass bumper (which wasn't made by VW for another 8 years).
I owned a 1980 and a 1991 at the same time, and it was fun making comparisons. Wish I had taken pictures. |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32584 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32584 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9923 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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Early 81 model year vans still had the metal rear intake grills until mid-81 when diesel vans came out. Then VW needed to switch to the removable plastic ones. This change was needed because the diesel had an intake snorkel that went up to the grill area and you must remove the grill to do anything with that upper snorkel part. Later vans also got snorkels up there. |
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D Clymer Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2005 Posts: 2978 Location: Issaquah, WA
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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Just thought of another one. The rear apron below the rear bumper on the really early vans didn't have the notch in the center. The notch was added so there was clearance for the Westfalia style tow-hook.
Dave |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32584 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Fiddlestyx Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2015 Posts: 401 Location: Texas
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 2:00 pm Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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Early 83 air-cooled Westfalia.
No date stamp above passenger door.
No slot in rear apron.
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newfisher Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2012 Posts: 1764 Location: The wet spot--Oregon
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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85 Westies had the tallest oe springs
86 and up had smaller sliding door window opening for the updated handle assembly. Pre 85 side windows were the same size.
89 up has vented rear most side glass assemblies
90 and 91 offered several suspension and brake upgrades |
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surfwagonorangevw Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2013 Posts: 111 Location: Hawaii
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:02 pm Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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I like this thread 'cause I have an '81 air cooled and will say it has the plastic engine air vents . crazyvwvanman already said the change happened half way thru '81 with the introduction of the diesel . |
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70coupyel Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2006 Posts: 1657 Location: So.Cal
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:54 pm Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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D Clymer wrote: |
2. Rear decklid push-button and surrounding sheetmetal revised. (1984)
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When I had to replace my small button lock I found out that( from JY guy) the small buttons showed up on some early 85's.
Can any one here confirm this?
No date stamp on my passenger side rain gutter. _________________
TheAndante wrote: |
Saying that specs are different than dimensions doesn't make sense. Porsche specs/VW specs/engineering specs are nothing but a series of dimensions,sizes,percentages,measurements, etc. |
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=338946&highlight=
70 KG Coup
83 Westy Waterboxer |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5076 Location: denver
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 7:54 am Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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Throwing this out there with the expectation of corrections. Off the top of my head:
'85 and older had 21mm sway bars, '86 and up had 19mm, although I think there are some '85's with 19mm.
Mid '85 went from stamped lower control arms to cast.
Mine has the larger sway bar with cast control arms, so a hybrid of sorts.
'86 and up has the newer style fuse panel.
'85 had either metal 1.25" coolant pipes or the later 1.5" plastic.
Between '86 and '87 the rear AC unit was changed. (LoveMyWesty's ride is an '86 with the later '87 style AC from the factory--one of the many great details one learns at Syncro Solstice.)
The '84 Wolfsburg Westfalia had a tachometer, but did not have the green and orange colors. Colors were added in '85.
Edit to add: Also, HVAC control knobs were changed in '85. Up to '84 had wider knobs that were much more durable. '85 and up have the narrower, lighter ones that break at the base eventually. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3115 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 1:26 pm Post subject: Re: Body Changes.... How is my 91 different from your 80? |
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Does anyone else NOT have an "OXS" indicator light on their instrument cluster? My 91 Westy doesn't have it. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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