Date:         Tue, 25 Apr 2000 21:46:01 +0900
Reply-To:     Yoshi <dolphin@MARS.NETSPACE.OR.JP>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Yoshi <dolphin@MARS.NETSPACE.OR.JP>
Subject:      Re: Vanagons in Japan
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hello List and Andrew NZ!..

I will reply your question.

Andrew Grebneff said that:
> Yoshi, I'm glad to see that there are members in Japan.

ahahah... yeah! me too.. I talk to many friends via network.
I will appreciate all lists.

>Sorry I can't help with the wheel problem, as I have never looked into it much,
>
>though I may wish to fit 16" wheels later.

Oh no problem.. I was helped by other members.
Thanks, Rai, Lee.. (^_^)

> Some time ago I asked some Japanese wreckers/car exporters about Vanagons.
> The few who answered claimed not to know anything about VW vans of any
> kind.

hmm.. They deal much car on business. Japanese market hardly has Vanagon.
Therefore, some Japanese drive in Vanagon with the hobby. Of course, me, too.

> However, judging by the number of used Golfs coming from Japan to New
> Zealand, I thought there probably WERE Vanagons there. But they must be
> very rare, or importers would bring them in also.

Yes! The Japanese market has some Vanagon, Westfalia. But, a big import car
dealer doesn't deal with Vanagon. it's only sedan and some RV..
Because, Japan has Toyota Honda Nissan Matsuda Mitsubishi. They make many
many van's with Japanese high technology. I will choose Japanese car, if
hope "Comfortable" and "High performance". However, Westy has something..
You know it! ;-)

> Can you tell me (and the other listmembers) about the Vanagon scene in
> Japan? What options and standard features do they have?

I spoke half to you until now.
My Westys are not Japanese versions. The Westfalia doesn't make Japanese
version. My 87'Westy came from LA about 10 years ago.
Complete US ver! Then I modified it to Japanese ver.
4spd, AC, PS, PW, PDRck, PopTop!

> The Japanese-market Hiace Super Custom etc have an amazing array of electrics
>> available), and I expect Japanese Vanagons may have features not offered on
>any > other market. Being old now, and therefore becoming very expensive to
>register,
> the value must be rather low.

US-Westy registration cost is almost USD$5000.00-(1st check).
The vehicles which a Japanese admitted value as are imported from the world.
New and many many Vintage!!
Then, vehicles have "vehicles inspection" (one times 2 years).
Cost about USD$700~1500.00- This check is carried out by all vehicles..
(Insurance isn't included.)
The Japanese enthusiasts never throws Vintage-car away. They polish up lovers!
Then, they build up team. I don't know many Vanagon owners. Only two. They
have 91' Vanagon Carat, then 91' Westy. Yahoo-Japan does the auction of many
vehicles every day. But, I have never seen Vanagon at all. I think. Maybe,
all Vanagon (w/westy) is probably less than 500 in Japan!
Some of the enthusiasts stand by Vanagon.

Andrew, Lists,.. Do you understand the "value" of Vanagon in Japan? (^_^)

> I suppose most have by now been fed into the shredders?

Oh no!! ahahahaha.....

> What would one expect to pay for a luxury Vanagon there? A Syncro? (I would
> consider importing one if one can be found).

No! Impossibility!!! Vanagon search is impossible in Japan.
I recommend US-eBay!
*eBay-Vanagon*..
http://search.ebay.com/cgi-bin/texis/ebay/results.html?maxRecordsReturned=
300&maxRecordsPerPage=50&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&ht=1&query=vanagon

W-cab of List is sold at an auction now..
Andrew,.. Get it! He will send W-cab to New Zealand surely. <--No promise.

> What about Porsche 911s?

hmm...?
Same as Vanagon. Recommend via US.
Japan is the much damp country. Vehicles rust faster than US.
I got my 73' 911S from *John Toren Restorations* (LA) about 5 years ago.
A shipping fee is almost USD$1500.oo. (LA to Japan.. Ocean)
Get west coast porsche! CA NV AZ.. You can get a part from Stoddard (OH).
http://www.stoddard.com/

Performance Products..
http://www.performanceproducts.com/home.asp

Tweeks..
http://www.tweeks.com/index.htm

Okay?

Well, I must go for now..

Se ya later,

Yoshi@87'Westy
from       Japan
dolphin@mars.netspace.or.jp

PS:
Sorry no Vanagon contents..
A N D..
I haven't got 87' Westy sink-drainboard yet. Does anyone have it? Or shop?
I looked for it for one year. However, it wasn't found...