Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 10:56:45 -0700
Reply-To: Zoltan Kuthy <zol@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Zoltan Kuthy <zol@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Subject: Re: Vanagons in Japan
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hi there in Japan, Yoshi
I read your letter on the List, and I have the sense that you feel with your van as
if you are in the middle of a desert without any help. I can understand that it can
be difficult to keep your car in good shape without having the parts available at
any minute as we do here.
I would like to visit Japan some day and wish to contact somebody who would be
willing to exchange his Westfalia for mine here in the US. I rent Westfalias here
in the Norhtwest
of the country, my web site is "rentavwcamper.homestead.com/rental", but I would be
more than happy to exchange for a future visit here likewise.
The List is very helpful form a distance. There are very knowledgable members who
have done great many things on their cars to improve or repaire. They will help in
all your questions. Sometimes you have to ask again and again to get a good
response. But that is normal and accepted. It is all just a help from friends,
just because you have one of these much loved models. I have four of them. And if
the renting will take off I will get more. I will ask other people about the
exchange in other part of the World too. Even here on the other side of the
country. It is a very long trip in time and distance to get there and after you
visited you would have to repeat it coming back. In modern times with the help of
all the great machines and computers people have no time anymore to go away for
three month at a time as I used to do.
So let me know if you or someone else would be interested to let a Westfalia be used
there in exchange of a similar use here.
Zoltan
Yoshi wrote:
> 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...
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