Volkswagen Type 1 4-speed transaxle is a manual gearbox from Volkswagen.
Volkswagen
| Vehicle | Years | Shift pattern | Gearbox source | Members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet Early cars, 1st gear unsynchronised [1] | 1950-1957 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet Sedan and cabriolet; Spanish-language manual valid from chassis 1 600 440 (Aug 1957) to 3 192 506 (Jul 1960) [2] | 1958-1960 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet No manual fetched [3] | 1961 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet US/English owner's manual, 4-speed manual [4] | 1962 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet US/English owner's manual, 4-speed manual [5] | 1963 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet US/English owner's manual, 4-speed manual [6] | 1964 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet US/English owner's manual, 4-speed manual [7] | 1965 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet US/English owner's manual, 4-speed manual [8] | 1966 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet English owner's manual, 4-speed manual [9] | 1967 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet English owner's manual, 4-speed manual (1.2/1.3/1.5 L speed table) [10] | 1968 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet US/English owner's manual, 4-speed manual [11] | 1969 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet English owner's manual, 4-speed manual [12] | 1970 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) Type 1 sedan / cabriolet English owner's manual, 4-speed manual [13] | 1971 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) VW 1302 / 1302 S (Super Beetle) Spanish-language manual, Aug 1970 edition [14] | 1971 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 14 Remaining years [15][16]Applies to: 1955-1958 and 1960 (1st gear not synchronized); 1961-1964 (fully synchromesh, no letter code) | 1955-1958; 1960-1964; 1966-1974 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 14 US/English manual, coupe and convertible [17] | 1959 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated | |
| Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 14 Coupe and convertible [18] | 1965 | 4 speed, reverse bottom left (VW lockout) | Corroborated |
Research notes
Caveats and conflicts (8)
- Manual names the transmission but prints no type code. Row's 1950-1951 start is not covered by that manual.
- Years 1958-1960 not covered by the opened workshop manual; no type code printed.
- Limebug reference: before 1967 there is no standard letter prefix on VW gearboxes, so no code is expected.
- No gearbox type code printed in any opened source for this year.
- Limebug code table (Walklett data): from 1967 to Aug 1972 gearboxes carry a two-letter prefix (e.g. AB 1300, AC 1500, AH 1500/1600 to Aug 1972); sedan code depends on engine and axle, not pinned to this row.
- The Ghia specifics were not opened; 1960 cut-over inferred from the Beetle.
- 1966 falls before the letter-prefix period in Limebug (from 1967).
- 1959 owner manual (row source) not re-read for gearbox wording.
References
- Service manual. 1952-57 Volkswagen workshop manual (full text opened): "The transmission has four speeds forward and one reverse ... Synchromesh is obtained with the helical 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears"; first and reverse are sliding gears. [link]
- Service manual. 1952-57 workshop manual shows the same first-generation box (2nd-4th synchro, sliding 1st); row's own Spanish owner manual text calls 1st unsynchronised for chassis 1 600 440 to 3 192 506. [link]
- Wikipedia. Wikipedia Beetle: "The 1961 Beetle introduced a fully synchronised, four-speed manual transmission, replacing the non-synchronised first gear." [link]
- Wikipedia. Wikipedia Beetle: fully synchronised four-speed from 1961; Limebug: before 1967 gearboxes have no standard letter prefix. [link]
- Wikipedia. Wikipedia Beetle: fully synchronised four-speed from 1961; Limebug: before 1967 gearboxes have no standard letter prefix. [link]
- Wikipedia. Wikipedia Beetle: fully synchronised four-speed from 1961; Limebug: before 1967 gearboxes have no standard letter prefix. [link]
- Wikipedia. Wikipedia Beetle: fully synchronised four-speed from 1961; Limebug: before 1967 gearboxes have no standard letter prefix. [link]
- Wikipedia. Wikipedia Beetle: fully synchronised four-speed from 1961; Limebug: before 1967 gearboxes have no standard letter prefix. [link]
- Retailer. Limebug Aircooled Gearbox Code Reference Table: Type 1 codes AA-AU for Beetle, Karmann Ghia and Type 181 with application by engine and date, two-letter prefix used 1967 to Aug 1972. [link]
- Retailer. Limebug Aircooled Gearbox Code Reference Table: Type 1 codes AA-AU for Beetle, Karmann Ghia and Type 181 with application by engine and date, two-letter prefix used 1967 to Aug 1972. [link]
- Retailer. Limebug Aircooled Gearbox Code Reference Table: Type 1 codes AA-AU for Beetle, Karmann Ghia and Type 181 with application by engine and date, two-letter prefix used 1967 to Aug 1972. [link]
- Retailer. Limebug Aircooled Gearbox Code Reference Table: Type 1 codes AA-AU for Beetle, Karmann Ghia and Type 181 with application by engine and date, two-letter prefix used 1967 to Aug 1972. [link]
- Retailer. Limebug Aircooled Gearbox Code Reference Table: Type 1 codes AA-AU for Beetle, Karmann Ghia and Type 181 with application by engine and date, two-letter prefix used 1967 to Aug 1972. [link]
- Retailer. Limebug table: two-letter codes for 1967-Aug 1972 Type 1 gearboxes; Super Beetle (1302/1302S) code not itemised separately. [link]
- Wikipedia. Wikipedia Beetle: fully synchronised 4-speed introduced with the 1961 car; Ghia shares Type 1 running gear. [link]
- Wikipedia. Wikipedia Beetle: synchromesh first gear from 1961; Limebug: no letter prefix before 1967. [link]
- Wikipedia. Wikipedia Beetle: non-synchronised first gear until 1961; Ghia is Type 1 mechanicals. [link]
- Wikipedia. Wikipedia Beetle: fully synchronised 4-speed from 1961; Limebug: no letter prefix before 1967. [link]
Categories: Gearboxes | Volkswagen
This page was last edited on November 11, 2026. Gearbox codes change by year, engine and market. Send a correction.