VW Trekker Chassis Codes

The Type 181 chassis was a derivative of the Beetle chassis with the wide Karmann Ghia floor pans fitted.  The front axle was similar to the VW Beetle but had front axle supports fitted.

The rear axle and suspension was from the 1955 to 1963 Splitscreen Bus with its reduction boxes and rear brake drums.  From chassis number 183 2346 525 onwards (1973) the rear suspension was changed to IRS from the 1302 and 1303 Beetle.

The chassis number on a VW 181 is located on the top of the front valance under the front bonnet.

The first two numbers are always 18 to determine the model VW 181 and the third number determines the year the vehicle was manufactured.  The last 7 numbers of the chassis number determines the actual vehicle number in the production run of that year.

Production of the VW 181 ended in 1980 with chassis number 18A 0100 746.  However sales still continued into 1981 and 1982 even though production had been terminated.

Chassis Numbers:

1968: 180 2645 373 (prototype)

1969: 180 xxxx xxx (180 2198 169, first)

1970: 180 xxxx xxx

1971: 181 xxxx xxx

1972: 182 xxxx xxx

1973: 183 xxxx xxx

1974: 184 xxxx xxx

1975: 185 xxxx xxx

1976: 186 xxxx xxx

1977: 187 xxxx xxx

1978: 188 xxxx xxx

1979: 189 xxxx xxx

1980: 18A xxxx xxx (18A 0100 746. Last production)

1981: 18B xxxx xxx

1982: 18C xxxx xxx