>Does anyone know where the origin of nomenclature for
>vw came from?   Does the type 1-4 refer to the engine?
>Is there a website that explains this?

Type numbers are model designations.
Type 1: Beetle, Thing, Kubelwagen, Type 1 Karmann Ghia
Type 2: Transporter (with T1 Split, T2 Bay, T3 "Vanagon", T4 "Eurovan")
Type 3: Notchback, Fastback, Squareback, Type 3 Karmann Ghia
Type 4: 411 & 412

The 1.7, 1.8 & 2.0 aircooled engines used in Bay vans & early Vanagons were
Type 4 engines. Type 3s used the Type 1 engine with different sheetmetal,
fan & alternator.

If you see Type designation with more than one digit, the basic Type is
referred to by the first digit ie a Type 25 is a "Vanagon" (the English
call these Type 25; in Germany they all say T3).

Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand
ph   64 (3) 473-8863
fax 64 (3) 479-7527
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
www.goingplatinum.com/member/vw1
www.highyieldcrusaders.ws/ref.html?ref=vw
VW & Toyota vans, Toyota diesels and Macintoshes rule