73 or 74 Model Year??

[westy]

[KentABQ]

Excellent points, Westy.

1973/4 was the dreaded "Energy Crisis" in the US. Gas prices soared from their traditional $.69 to over $1.00/gal!
And gas pumps at the time weren't designed to accept any price over 99.9 cents, so stations started selling gas by the liter, which really confused the poor US drivers.

Is that what us old-timers refer to as "the good old days"?
_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[Whaanga]

Thanks for all of the interesting and informative responses to my curiosity/trivial question.

When I first got my bus, I did not know about theSamba. And the only on-line info I knew about came from a friend who sent the link below. It is a clinical list of each year of bus production. Maybe some of you know this site:


http://www.type2.com/library/identifi/modvar.htm



As per this discussion, I copied the list detailing bus production from 72-75. Besides all of the technical data, it also lists the number of busses sold in the US for each year.

You'll see that in 72 there were 48,178 imported to the US but in 73 there were 43,533. And then the numbers drop significantly in 74 with 30,166 BUT the numbers really tank in 75 with only 17,679. Perhaps 1975 is the most rare Bay Window bus in the US.

Also, it lists the last serial number range in 73 ending with 223-2300-000 and mine is 223-225-5405. But you'll see that every model year starts and ends with the same serial number range (they just change the third number to reflect the year) so there is no way to tell how close my bus is to the end of the run.

```````````````````````````````````````````
1972 Chassis Number 212-2000-001 - 212-2300-000
Engine Number CA-0-000-001 - CA-0-016-185
CB-0-000-001 - CB-0-056-205
1679 cc, 63 HP @ 4800 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM
Fuel System: Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3 carburetors
Imported to U.S. 48,178
Total Produced:

1) Type 4 1679 cc engine introduced (same as Porsche 914, VW 411/412)
with spin-on oil filter
2) Dual carburetors (Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3)
3) Redesigned rear body air intake scoops (squared instead of crescent-
shaped)
4) Larger triple-element taillights
5) Diaphragm clutch
6) CV-joints slightly different
7) Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system
New fuel pump and pump location
9) Alternator introduced, rated at 55 amps (previously generator)
10) Parking brake cable adjustable via equalizer bar
11) Fuel filler cap door moved rearward (out of reach of sliding door)

1973 Chassis Number 213-2000-001 - 213-2300-000
Engine Number CB-0-062-006 -
CD-0-000-000 - Automatic Transmission
1679 cc, 63 HP @ 4800 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM
3-speed automatic, 003 NB
Fuel System: Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3
Imported to U.S. 43,533
Total Produced:

1) Smog pump added to EGR
2) Access hatch for engine area added to rear cargo floor
3) Deformable body area behind bumpers (Energy Absorbing Support)
4) Paper element air filter
5) 3-speed automatic transmission available as option
6) Bigger front disc brake caliper/pads
7) New worm/roller steering box
Front turn signals moved up under windshield (at ends of air grill)
9) Redesigned windshield wiper arm shafts
10) Last year buses are manufactured in Emden, Germany as well as in
Hannover

1974 Chassis Number 214-2000-001 - 214-2300-000
Engine Number AW -
1795 cc, 65 HP @ 4200 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM
3-speed automatic, 003 NB
Fuel System: Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3 carburetors
Imported to U.S. 30,166
Total Produced:

1) Rear seat folds down
2) Different gear ratios in manual transmission
3) Engine size increased to 1795 cc (109.5 cu in), 65 HP
4) Larger clutch
5) Carburetor throat size increased
6) Fuel filler cap no longer hidden by flap door
7) Larger brake vacuum booster

1975 Chassis Number 215-2000-001 - 215-2300-000
Engine Number AP-0-027-466 -
ED-0-000-640 -
1795 cc, 67 HP @ 4400
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 002 CM
3-speed automatic, 003 NC, 003 ND
Fuel System: Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection
Imported to U.S. 17,679
Total Produced:

1) Bosch AFC fuel injection introduced
2) Hinges changed on rear engine access door
3) Windshield wiper switch moved to a stalk on steering column
4) New steering column
5) Battery rated at 54 amp-hours

````````````````````````````````````````````````````
BUT speaking of the paint question (about whether mine was all red at one point). I did notice that inside the air (not quite sure of the official term) ducts? Fins? Vanes? on the rear of the bus. Mine are both white on the inside - but the white paint stops at a certain point as seen here:

This suggests to me that even if they were all one color at first, they had to have a process to paint the inside of the air ducting as it approaches the engine bay.

Thanks again for all of the VW/historical/economic commentary.

Jeff
_________________
Late 1973 Bay w/a transplanted 914 Engine

[Abscate]

The big event in the 70 was the collapse of the dollar to the German mark.

Once we came off gold and currencies floated , the dollar lost half of its value to the mark, so selling VWs in the US got tough.

Please don’t start with gold standard conservative nut job posts. Grownups here.

Ghia and 411/412 went through 1974
_________________
.ssS!

[alman72]

74 got a larger brake booster.....huh. interesting.

[notchboy]

Does anyone else feel that? That "TCash" vibe in here?


_________________

[SGKent]

[notchboy]

So, what are you trying to say? Leprechauns dont bring the pots of gold coins.
_________________

[SGKent]

[Abscate]

It’s post Bretton-Woods world. The ability of the Fed to deficit spend in crisis should be glaringly apparent in 2020 in the Covid era.
_________________
.ssS!

[notchboy]