The Vanagon Dictionary

( Constant Velocity Joint ) One of the small circular devices at an end of an axle on a bus . Buses , Vanagons , and EuroVans have four of these, while the Syncro Vanagons have a total of eight. These are necessary to allow the axle to move up and down while still turning to propel the car. the joints need to be keep greased to function properly. when they are worn, they make a knocking-noise that strikes fear into the hearts of bus owners everywhere. Microbuses do not have CV joints, but use a 'swing-axle' and reduction gear box instead.

A hinged roof section that raises above a camper van to create extra headroom and, when equipped, access to an upper sleeping area. Roof construction, latches, and bed equipment vary among VW Bus and camper conversions.

• camper
• roof
• westfalia

Rare combination of Deluxe roof clip on Kombi or Standard model Bus

• deluxe
• kombi

A seal for the luggage box on a Westfalia bus

• seal
• luggage
• westfalia

Larger accessory side mirror used on Split-Window and Bay-Window Buses

• mirror
• accessory

Mirror arm used on Buses from 1955 to mid-1958

• mirror
• arm

Dreaded Previous Owner (the sorry so-and-so who owned and mistreated YOUR bus before you bought it).

Additional gear boxes used on swing-axle VW Buses to reduce transmission gearing

• gearbox
• swing-axle

Term referring to VW Type II vehicles with a divided front windshield, manufactured before 1968

• bus
• vw

The VW pickup truck characterized by seating for five or six and three doors. A ½-ton vehicle.

A foldable bed that came on many models of VW buses, allowing for additional sleeping space.

• camper
• bed

A model of bus that contained interior features such as a bed, stove, cabinets, and in some versions, a refrigerator. some versions had a pop-up roof to allow extra room, ventilation, and sleeping room 'upstairs'. Some of the many companies making campers are Westfalia , Winnebago , Devon , Country Homes, Dormobile , and TRAKKA .

Trim level/accessories package used for a short period of time on the Deluxe Kombi Bay Window Bus

• clipper
• trim

Catalytic Converter. a large, usually round cannister in the exhaust system. it helps convert emission gases into more harmless, less noxious vapors.

The 3 rd generation of Transporters , from 1980-1991, known in North America as Vanagon , and elsewhere as Caravelle or just Transporter .

A type of clear plastic material used for corner windows in Barndoor era deluxe buses before glass was used.

• material
• window
• barndoor

Environmental Protection Agency. Another agency of the U.S. Federal Government that gets involved in automobile construction, especially in the engine emissions area.

Any Volkswagen Transporter from 1980-1991, distinguished by squarer body contours and extremely large windows and windshield. Also known as T3 Transporters , or Caravelle.

Fahrvergnügen is a made-up German word meaning 'pleasure of driving', and Volkswagen marketting claims it can only be experienced in a VW automobile.

Positive Crankcase Ventilation. A method of reducing the pressure inside the engine crankcase (the middle part where things are whirling around, but nothing is exploding).

Another name for camper versions of the VW Transporter . For whatever reasons, this term seems to have been dropped for the Vanagons , except in Canada.

The 4 th generation of Transporters , from 1992 to the present, known in North America as the EuroVan , and elsewhere as Caravelle or just Transporter .

Miles per gallon. The American measurement of fuel economy, denoting the distance traveled for a certain amount of fuel. roughly, 20 mpg = 11.75 L/100km.

Department of Transportation. an agency of the U.S. Federal Government that has authority over some aspects of auto- mobile construction, especially in the safety-related areas.