Unca Joel sent me this when I was shopping for a bus, it was extremely usefull.

>Explanation of Chassis number:  for model years 1968-1979
>                                                 218-000-001
>Vehicle Type ------------------------------------x||       |
>  2 - Transporter                                 ||       |
>Vehicle Model ------------------------------------x|       |
>  1 = Kastenwagen (Panel Truck), later also        |       |
>        High-Roof Panel Truck and Fire Truck)      |       |
>  2 = Achtsitzer-bus, Neunsitzer-bus (Station      |       |
>        Wagon 8-seater, 9-seater)                  |       |
>  3 = Kombi (Kombi, Kombi for Fire Trucks, and     |       |
>        Campmobile)                                |       |
>  4 = Sondermodell (Special model, 8- and 9-       |       |
>        seater)                                    |       |
>  5 = Sondermodell (Special Model, 7-seater)       |       |
>  6 = Pritschewagen (Pickup Truck)                 |       |
>  7 = Krankenwagen (Ambulance)                     |       |
>  8 = Siebensitzer Bus (7-seater bus)              |       |
>Vehicle Model Year (last digit of model year) -----x       |
>  8 - 1968*    2 - 1972    6 - 1976                        |
>  9 - 1969*    3 - 1973    7 - 1977                        |
>  0 - 1970     4 - 1974    8 - 1978*                       |
>  1 - 1971     5 - 1975    9 - 1979*                       |
>  (note that 8 = 1968 AND 1978, 9 = 1969 AND 1979)         |
>Sequential Production Number ------------------------xxx-xxx
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>1968   Chassis Number 218-000-001   -    218-220-000
>       Engine Number  B-5-000-001   -    B-5-050-173
>                      1584 cc, 57 HP @ 4400 rpm
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    002 CM
>       Fuel system:   Solex 30 PICT-2 carburetor
>       Imported to U.S.      57,862
>       Total produced:
>
>1)  Entirely new front end: single piece windshield
>                           turn signals below headlights, near bumpers.
>2)  Sliding side door becomes standard on Kombi, Microbus
>3)  Double cv-joints (no reduction gears)
>4)  Redesigned front axle with ball joints, worm/peg steering
>5)  Larger side windows
>6)  New fresh air ventilation system
>7)  Lower ground clearance
>8)  Same 14-inch wheels as 1964-1967. 7.00 x 14 tires.
>9)  Some buses still being manufactured in Emden, Germany as well as
>    Hannover
>10) Fuel tank capacity increased to 60 liters (from 40 liters)
>
>
>1969   Chassis Number 219-000-001   -    219-200-000
>       Engine Number  B-5-050-174   -    B-5-116-436
>                      1584 cc, 57 HP @ 4400 rpm
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    002 CM
>       Fuel system:   Solex 30 PICT-2 carburetor
>       Imported to U.S.      54,985
>       Total Produced:
>
>1)  Round side marker reflectors between wheel wells
>2)  Generator rated at 38 amps (previously 30 amps)
>
>
>1970   Chassis Number 210-2000-001  -    210-2300-000
>       Engine Number  B-5-116-437   -    B-5-230-000
>                      1584 cc, 57 HP @ 4400 rpm
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    002 CM
>       Fuel system:   Solex 30 PICT-3 carburetor
>       Imported to U.S.      72,515
>       Total Produced:
>
>1)  Thermostat added to funnel warm air into air cleaner
>2)  Heavier duty oil pump
>3)  New fuel pump
>4)  Double cylinder brake system with warning light
>5)  Square side marker reflectors and marker lights, moved to before
>    front wheel well and after rear wheel well
>6)  Gasoline tank venting through Evaporative Emission Control System
>7)  Throttle valve postioner on carburetor/throttle linkage
>8)  Fuse box with integral relay panel
>9)  Ignition key warning buzzer
>
>
>1971   Chassis Number 211-2000-001  -    211-2300-000
>       Engine Number  AE-0-000-001  -    AE-0-529-815
>                      1584 cc, 60 HP @ 4400 rpm
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    002 CM
>       Fuel System:   Solex 34 PICT-3 carburetor
>       Total Produced:
>       Imported to U.S.      68,561
>
>1)  Dual port intake cylinder heads
>2)  34 PICT-3 carburetor
>3)  3-part dual port intake manifold
>4)  Vacuum retard distributor
>5)  Chrome exhaust valve stems
>6)  2nd oil pressure control valve
>7)  New oil cooler (bump in fan shroud)
>8)  New clutch and throw-out bearing assembly
>9)  Disc brakes on front axle
>10) Collapsible steering column
>11) Brake fluid reservoir moved to behind driver's seat
>12) Roof color (white) extended to below side windows on two-tone models
>13) Front door arm rest air ducts (from 221-2197-035)
>14) Sliding side door uses only one Bowden cable (previously two)
>15) Adjustable steering locks on front axle (from 211-2066-397)
>16) New fuel pump cover
>17) Dashpot added to throttle valve positioner
>18) Ignition switch locks steering wheel
>19) Wheel changed to 5-1/2 J x 14-inch  (previously 5JK x 14)  with
>    smaller offset amount; wheels attached with lugs and nuts (instead
>    of studs); flat hubcaps introduced
>
>
>1972   Chassis Number 212-2000-001  -    212-2300-000
>       Engine Number  CA-0-000-001  -    CA-0-016-185
>                      CB-0-000-001  -    CB-0-056-205
>                      1679 cc, 63 HP @ 4800 rpm
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    002 CM
>       Fuel System:   Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3 carburetors
>       Imported to U.S.      48,178
>       Total Produced:
>
>1)  Type 4 1679 cc engine introduced (same as Porsche 914, VW 411/412)
>    with spin-on oil filter
>2)  Dual carburetors (Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3)
>3)  Redesigned rear body air intake scoops (squared instead of crescent-
>    shaped)
>4)  Larger triple-element taillights
>5)  Diaphragm clutch
>6)  CV-joints slightly different
>7)  Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system
>8)  New fuel pump and pump location
>9)  Alternator introduced, rated at 55 amps (previously generator)
>10) Parking brake cable adjustable via equalizer bar
>11) Fuel filler cap door moved rearward (out of reach of sliding door)
>
>
>1973   Chassis Number 213-2000-001  -    213-2300-000
>       Engine Number  CB-0-062-006  -
>                      CD-0-000-000  -    Automatic Transmission
>                      1679 cc, 63 HP @ 4800 rpm
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    002 CM
>                      3-speed automatic, 003 NB
>       Fuel System:   Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3
>       Imported to U.S.      43,533
>       Total Produced:
>
>1)  Smog pump added to EGR
>2)  Access hatch for engine area added to rear cargo floor
>3)  Deformable body area behind bumpers (Energy Absorbing Support)
>4)  Paper element air filter
>5)  3-speed automatic transmission available as option
>6)  Bigger front disc brake caliper/pads
>7)  New worm/roller steering box
>8)  Front turn signals moved up under windshield (at ends of air grill)
>9)  Redesigned windshield wiper arm shafts
>10) Last year buses are manufactured in Emden, Germany as well as in
>    Hannover
>
>
>1974   Chassis Number 214-2000-001  -    214-2300-000
>       Engine Number  AW            -
>                      1795 cc,  65 HP @ 4200 rpm
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    002 CM
>                      3-speed automatic, 003 NB
>       Fuel System:   Solex 34 PDSIT-2, 34 PDSIT-3 carburetors
>       Imported to U.S.      30,166
>       Total Produced:
>
>1)  Rear seat folds down
>2)  Different gear ratios in manual transmission
>3)  Engine size increased to 1795 cc (109.5 cu in), 65 HP
>4)  Larger clutch
>5)  Carburetor throat size increased
>6)  Fuel filler cap no longer hidden by flap door
>7)  Larger brake vacuum booster
>
>
>1975   Chassis Number 215-2000-001  -    215-2300-000
>       Engine Number  AP-0-027-466  -
>                      ED-0-000-640  -
>                      1795 cc,  67 HP @ 4400
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    002 CM
>                      3-speed automatic, 003 NC, 003 ND
>       Fuel System:   Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection
>       Imported to U.S.      17,679
>       Total Produced:
>
>1)  Bosch AFC fuel injection introduced
>2)  Hinges changed on rear engine access door
>3)  Windshield wiper switch moved to a stalk on steering column
>4)  New steering column
>5)  Battery rated at 54 amp-hours
>
>
>1976   Chassis Number 216-2000-001  -    216-2300-000
>       Engine Number  CJ-0-000-001  -
>                      GD-0-000-001  -
>                      1970 cc, 67 HP @ 4200
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    091 CP
>                      3-speed automatic, 010 NF
>       Fuel System:   Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection
>       Imported to U.S.      20,825
>       Total Produced:
>
>1)  Engine size increased to 1970 cc
>2)  New front door hinges (from 236-2126-632)
>3)  New 3-speed automatic transmission
>
>
>1977   Chassis Number 217-2000-001  -    217-2300-000
>       Engine Number  GD-0-040-000  -
>                      GE-0-000-001  -
>                      1970 cc, 67 HP @ 4200 rpm
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    091 CP
>                      3-speed automatic, 010 NF
>       Fuel System:   Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection
>       Imported to U.S.      26,209
>       Total Produced:
>
>1)  Front seats have head rests, are more comfortable, and recline
>    (metal wall behind front seats removed)
>
>
>1978   Chassis Number 218-2000-001  -    218-2300-000
>       Engine Number  GD-0-000-000  -
>                      GE-0-007-083  -
>                      1970 cc, 67 HP @ 4200 rpm
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    091 CP
>                      3-speed automatic, 010 NF
>       Fuel System:   Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection
>       Imported to U.S.      26,017
>       Total Produced:
>
>1)  Sliding side windows introduced (replacing swing vent windows)
>2)  Hydraulic valve lifters
>
>
>1979   Chassis Number 219-2000-001  -    219-2300-000
>       Engine Number  GD-0-040-001  -
>                      GE-0-000-000 (California models)
>                      1970 cc, 67 HP @ 4200 rpm
>       Transmission:  4-speed manual,    091 CP
>                      3-speed automatic, 010 NF
>       Fuel System:   Bosch L-Jetronic AFC Electronic Fuel Injection
>       Imported to U.S.      11,762
>       Total Produced:
>
>1)  Body made slightly wider (1.6 inches extra)
>2)  Catalytic converter introduced into exhaust system
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>References:
> Bus-Transporter, Die Geschichte eines Welterfolges,
>    Randolf Unruh,
>    Motorbuch Verlag, Postfach 103743, 7000 Stuttgart 10,
>    ISBN 3-613-01411-4
>
> Volkswagen Official Service Manual, Station Wagon/Bus, 1968-1979
>    Robert Bentley, Inc., 872 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
>    ISBN 0-8376-0094-4
>
> Das grosse Buch der Volkswagen Typen,
>    Lothar Boschen,
>    Motorbuch Verlag, Postfach 103743, 7000 Stuttgart 10,
>    ISBN 3-87943-799-8
>