Split-Window Bus Parts
One of the hardest air-cooled vehicles to restore correctly. Body panels, cargo door hardware, chassis components.
Parts and fitment questions: (657) 438-7002 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm Pacific
What changed on a 1950–1967 Bus
The running changes that matter
Our chassis decoder records front fresh-air ventilation, a full-length dashboard and 15-inch wheels replacing 16-inch in 1955; the bullet front turn signal replacing semaphore arms on US models in 1956; a center brake light in 1957; the double-cab pickup in 1958; a fully synchromesh transmission in 1959; 40 horsepower mid-year in 1960; larger oval front turn signals in 1961; a factory sliding side door option in 1963; 14-inch wheels and a wider rear hatch in 1964; amber front turn signals in 1965; and then 1967, the last split-window year and the year the electrics went to 12 volt.
Split-only parts, and where the line falls
A lot of Bus hardware in our catalog stops dead at 1967. Our door hinge screw is listed for the Bus through 1967, the early exterior mirror for 1955–1967, the early seat belt mount adapter through 1967, and the Delrin shift bushing for the Bus 1950–1966. The 6V ignition coil covers the Bus 1950–1966 and the 12V coil starts at 1967. Bay-window parts are a separate catalog, not a later revision of this one.
Before you order
- 6 volt through 1966, 12 volt from 1967. Confirm what is in the vehicle before ordering electrics.
- Wheels changed twice: 16-inch to 15-inch in 1955, 15-inch to 14-inch in 1964.
- Shift linkage: our early coupler is cataloged for the Bus 1955–1967, the late-style coupler from 1968.
- The Bus does not use the Beetle hand-lever parking brake ratchet mechanism at all. Call us before ordering a Bus parking brake part.
Shop your exact year
Bay-window Buses: 1968–1979 Bus parts. Same-era Type 1 mechanicals: 1958–1967 Beetle parts.
Common questions
Do bay-window Bus parts fit a split-window Bus?
Often not. Our door hinge screw is cataloged for the Bus through 1967, the early exterior mirror for 1955 to 1967 and the early seat belt mount adapter through 1967, while our window delete panels are listed for the 1968 to 1979 bay window only.
What year did the Bus go to 12 volt?
1967, the same year as the Beetle. Our 6V ignition coil covers the Bus from 1950 to 1966 and the 12V coil starts at 1967.
Which shift coupler does a 1962 Bus take?
The early-style coupler. Ours is cataloged for the Bus from 1955 to 1967, with the late-style billet coupler picking up in 1968.
Can I use a Beetle parking brake ratchet gear in a Bus?
No. The Type 2 does not use the Beetle hand-lever ratchet mechanism at all, so that is not the part you are looking for. Call the shop and we will point you at the right one.
Still not sure? Call the parts line at (657) 438-7002, Mon–Fri 8am–5pm Pacific. We'd rather talk you out of the wrong part than process the return.