Volkswagen's venerable Vanagon!
Known around the world by other names such as Transporter, Caravelle, T25 or T3, Volkswagen produced Vanagons for the US market for 12 years, from model year 1980 through 1991. The Vanagon was VW's "van for the Eighties" and has developed a dedicated following of enthusiasts who appreciate the vehicle's unique capabilities. It replaced the VW bus from the Seventies, known simply as the "Bus", the "Breadloaf Bus" or the "Bay Window Bus" or T2 in VW's creative nomenclature. Eventually the Vanagon was replaced by the very different Eurovan (the "T4") for the Nineties. Vanagon discussion and lore is growing on the internet and in regional gatherings where "Vanagonauts" gather to celebrate their beloved rides. This website gathers together information to describe which models were produced each year for the US market and strives to provide clarity for anyone who's passionate or just mildly interested in these unique and capable vehicles.
Known around the world by other names such as Transporter, Caravelle, T25 or T3, Volkswagen produced Vanagons for the US market for 12 years, from model year 1980 through 1991. The Vanagon was VW's "van for the Eighties" and has developed a dedicated following of enthusiasts who appreciate the vehicle's unique capabilities. It replaced the VW bus from the Seventies, known simply as the "Bus", the "Breadloaf Bus" or the "Bay Window Bus" or T2 in VW's creative nomenclature. Eventually the Vanagon was replaced by the very different Eurovan (the "T4") for the Nineties. Vanagon discussion and lore is growing on the internet and in regional gatherings where "Vanagonauts" gather to celebrate their beloved rides. This website gathers together information to describe which models were produced each year for the US market and strives to provide clarity for anyone who's passionate or just mildly interested in these unique and capable vehicles.
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Vanagon Overview Information
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Select a cover image below to jump to that year's model information. |
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Vanagon USA Sales
Volkswagen sold 135,384 Vanagons in the USA market from 1980 through the 1991 model year. (According to CarSalesBase.com )
Vanagon Timelines
Volkswagen Van Lineage - USA Market
Syncro Westy
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1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
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1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
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Vanagon VIN Decoder for USA Models
Which year Vanagon is it? Have the VIN? It's easy to determine the year if you do. If the VIN has just 10 digits, the van is a 1980.
If it has more (17 digits), keep reading. If you look at the VIN from RIGHT to LEFT , the first 6 places are always numbers. They are the serial number of the vehicle. The first letter you come to will be an H for Hanover, Germany or a G for Graz, Austria.
The letter to the LEFT of that represents the Year of the van.
B = 81 C = 82 D = 83 E = 84 F = 85
G = 86 H = 87 J = 88 K = 89 L = 90 M = 91
More complete information is in the tables below.
If it has more (17 digits), keep reading. If you look at the VIN from RIGHT to LEFT , the first 6 places are always numbers. They are the serial number of the vehicle. The first letter you come to will be an H for Hanover, Germany or a G for Graz, Austria.
The letter to the LEFT of that represents the Year of the van.
B = 81 C = 82 D = 83 E = 84 F = 85
G = 86 H = 87 J = 88 K = 89 L = 90 M = 91
More complete information is in the tables below.
1991 Vanagon Multivan
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M-Code Decoder
What's the name of my van's color ? What equipment did it originally come with?
Answer these questions and more with the "MPlate Decoder".
You'll need more information than just the VIN for this decoder. Vanagons came with a white paper sticker under the fuse box with a bunch of numbers and codes on it. Enter the information on your sticker at the MPlate Decoder and get your answers!
Answer these questions and more with the "MPlate Decoder".
You'll need more information than just the VIN for this decoder. Vanagons came with a white paper sticker under the fuse box with a bunch of numbers and codes on it. Enter the information on your sticker at the MPlate Decoder and get your answers!
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M-Code Decoder for 1981 - 1991 Vanagons
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Here's what the 1981-91 information entry form looks like:
Mostly self-explanatory if you are looking at the label.
Line number: 1. Enter the numbers and letters on this line from the top line of your M-Code Label. 2. "Chassis No." = VIN. Use all the digits from your VIN. First 8, then the single number in the middle, then the last 8. 3. Type is a six digit code where first 3 is typically 253 or 255. 4. Engine codes and the rest are single entry fields that easy to copy into the form from a photo of your label. 1986-1991 2.1L = MV 1983-85 1.9L = DH 1981-83 2.0L = CU or CV, 1982-83 1.6L diesel = CS |
M-Code Label Example (Found under fuse box.)
Vanagons also have an "M-Plate" under the back of the driver's seat. This metal plate has much less information than the sticker / label, but also interesting. Example:
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M-Code Decoder for 1980 Vanagons
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Here's what the 1980 information entry form looks like:
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