Walk-through A walk-through model bus is equipped with two individual front seats, rather than a bench style seat. This allows you to "walk-through" to the passenger/cargo area. This model is often equipped with a shorter 2/3 length middle seat that allows you to access the rear seat as well. The shorter middle seat is a different Bus model (as opposed to another option) so not all walk-thru front seat Buses are guaranteed to have a short middle seat. The walk-through option was a standard option from 1958-onward, although there are a few earlier examples. Most '58-'59 walk-through Buses that have survived are Panelvans. Walk-thru Buses have the spare tire mounted on the rear deck in a recessed compartment. 1967 and earlier walk-throughs use a unique lugnut to hold the spare tire in place.

Front seats

Rear of front seats

and spare tire area

Short center seat

Wash Basin Term used to describe the 1959 - '61 SO-23 sink. It is basically Tupperware.



Wasserboxer German: " water-boxer." The water-cooled version of the Vanagon.

Water Cooled To indicate an engine cooled by water as opposed to air-cooled.

WBX Abbreviation for Waterboxer aka Wasserboxer

Weber Supplier of higher performance dual carburetors for the Volkswagen motor.

Weltmeister The European version of Volkswagen's first official special edition, made to commemorate Bug production surpassing Model T production. Weltmeister translates to World Champion. It was a Super Beetle with metallic silver green paint, and those ten spoke wheels sometimes called Baja Wheels. Also see Baja Champion

West Coast Car Shorthand for a low-rust or no rust VW.

Westfalia German company with a long history that partnered with VW to convert buses into Campmobiles. All campers are not Westfalias or "Westys".



currently reproduced by Greg Noble.



Westy Slang for Westfalia

Wheelwells Metal that surrounds the wheels as viewed from the exterior.



Whitewalls Type of tire characterized by a white ring on the front side.



Wide-5 Slang description for the 5x205mm lug bolt pattern. See also 5-Lug

Wide 5s Another name for stock 5 lug rims, refers to the wide bolt pattern

Wide-bed Term used for pickups with an optional "Wider Bed". These were designated with M codes 200 & 201. The 200 retained steel gates and the 201 used wooden gates. Only a handful of these are known to exist.



Window Guards Official VW name for the aluminum rods mounted on the inside of the rear windows on Deluxe model buses to prevent luggage/cargo from hitting the rear windows. See slang term: Jailbars.



Window Regulator Assembly mounted inside the door that allows the window to be rolled up and down via a window crank and a gear.

Winker The German word for the "semaphore" or as the English have called them "trafficators"

Those funny directional devices used on Volkswagens from the 1930s prototypes to 1960 (in Europe) semaphores were last seen on US bound cars about 1955. They were also known in late 1950s early 60s US Army slang as "idiot sticks" and made illegal by the German safe pedestrian laws in 1961.



Wiring Harness The set of wires mounted in a VW that carry power to the various accessories and the engine, as well as providing needed grounding.



Without Guesswork A set of related publications which can be thought of as supplements to the factory workshop manuals and technical bulletins. They contain basic specifications, running tolerances, wear limits, dimensions, weights and other technical information aimed at helping the service technician at effecting a proper repair or other service. See this Forum thread for more details.



Wolfsburg The plant in Germany where the Volkswagen passenger car was produced. Total area 8,321,000 Sq m of which 950,000 Sq m is built up. (as of 1964) Split-screen Volkswagen Buses were produced here until March of 1956.

Wolfsburg Bumper A VW bumper produced or intended for VW vehicles produced at the Wolfsburg factory. Usually refers to the VW Bus front bumper used until March, 1956, which had a narrower front license plate area and thus longer ribs.



Wolfsburg Edition Special trim package for Water-Cooled VWs - Golf/Jetta/Vanagon/etc.

Wood Slat Any VW accessory or standard feature that included the use of a number of wood strips. Examples: Slats in the Single Cab or Double Cab bed area or slats used in VW roof racks.



Wrap-Around Dash Slang term for 1961-65 Type 3 dashboard cover, so called because the edge matches up with the trim pieces located above the door panels.

