Bay-Window Bus Parts
Workhorses with their own restoration challenges. Body panels, mechanical parts, and trim.
Parts and fitment questions: (657) 438-7002 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm Pacific
What changed on a 1968–1979 Bus
The running changes that matter
Our chassis decoder records the bay-window body replacing the splitscreen in 1968, with ball-joint front suspension and independent rear suspension both becoming standard; round side reflectors in 1969 and squared side markers in 1970; front disc brakes and the dual-port cylinder head standard in 1971; the pancake engine with dual carburetors in 1972; front turn signals moving below the windshield in 1973; the alternator replacing the generator in 1974; AFC fuel injection in 1975; 2000cc in 1976; and hydraulic lifters in 1978.
Type 1 engine or Type 4 engine
This is the split that decides half your parts list. Our Type 4 parts — the Elring 1700–2000cc gasket set, Super Vee cylinder heads, Weber IDF kits and the progressive 32/36 carburetors — are cataloged for the Type 4 engined Bus and cross straight over to the Porsche 914. Earlier bay-window Buses run Type 1 based parts shared with the Beetle. Know which engine is in the back before you buy anything above the case.
Before you order
- Type 1 or Type 4 engine decides carburetors, heads, gaskets and tin. Check the engine, not the year.
- Front disc brakes became standard in 1971. Order brake parts to what is actually fitted.
- 1975 and later vehicles left the factory with AFC fuel injection. Many have been converted back to carburetors.
- Bay-window body panels do not fit a split. Our window delete panels are cataloged for 1968–1979 only.
Shop your exact year
Split-window Buses: 1950–1967 Bus parts. The Porsche 914 uses the same Type 4 engine family — see 1969–1976 Porsche 914 parts.
Common questions
Does a Porsche 914 share parts with a bay-window Bus?
Through the engine, yes. Our Elring Type 4 gasket set, Super Vee cylinder heads and Weber carburetor kits are cataloged for both the Type 4 engined Bus and the 914 on the same part number.
What year did the Bus get front disc brakes?
1971, according to our chassis decoder, which also records the dual-port cylinder head becoming standard that year. Order brake parts to what is fitted, since these get swapped.
Do split-window Bus parts fit a bay window?
Body parts, generally no. Our window delete panels are cataloged for the 1968 to 1979 bay window only, and our door hinge screw and early mirror stop at 1967.
Which shift coupler does a 1972 Bus take?
The late-style coupler. Ours is cataloged for the Bus from 1968 to 1979, with the early coupler covering 1955 to 1967.
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.