Date: Tue, 16 May 2000 15:33:59 EDT
Reply-To: FrankGRUN@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM>
Subject: Solution to the Spare Tire Gas Can Search
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
For many years, I have been trying to locate the round reserve (spare,
emergency or auxiliary) gas can that drops into the center of the spare tire.
Over the years, at least 4 different versions have surfaced. The original VW
Bug had one as an optional accessory (went along nicely with the lack of a
gas gauge in the pre 1958 models). This was sized to fit within the 15 inch
Beetle rim. The VW Thing or Type 181 had one listed as an option as Part
number 181-016-301A which fits within the 14 inch wheel rim. This unit has a
9 L capacity. Mercedes Benz has a 7 L version (far more impressive in
quality) as part number B6758-0038. Griot's Garage had one but dropped it
before I became conscious of this burning (sorry) need. Finally Bekkers
Imports stocks three different versions: a 7 L model for the 14 inch rim
(part number B6758), a 9 L model for the Mercedes 15 inch rim (part number
B6045) and a 9 L unit for the BMW 15 inch rim (part number 413-174).
These reserve tanks are plentiful in Europe and Central America, but not
readily available in the US. When Dave Marshall was preparing for his
European (Germany) buying trip, I sent several details about these gas cans
and an amateur market analysis to him. I was patently ignored!
Since then several of these units have appeared on eSuckerbay.com, and
several individuals have sent the bidding well above $200. One of the VW
units offered by a fellow from Munich is over $200 with a $40 dollar
shipping/handling charge and several days yet to go. For several of these,
the reserve has been set at $350!
Also on eSuckerbay.com, the Mercedes version has appeared and has gone for
about $110. The bid traffic on these units sums to more than 120 over the
past several months. In talking to the guy who posted the last Mercedes unit,
he had more than thirty additional offers after the auction closed.
Now for pricing ( esuckerbay.com afflictionados should read no further!):
The VW version is listed as a regularly available part from TheThingShop.com
for $100 plus shipping. It is currently out of stock, awaiting delivery of
units from Germany.
The Mercedes Storage can is listed in the MBNA part book for a retail of $94.
The unit is out of stock, and according to my local M-B dealer, delivery is
listed as 2 months plus. A query to iberparts@mercatlantico.com got an
immediate reply. The can costs $62 with $20 for US UPS shipping.
Contacting Bekkers Import Corporation (www.bekkers.com) comes up with prices
of $74 for the B7658, $85 for the B6045 and $94 for the 413-174. Each of
these cans (pictured on Page 16 of the current 2000 catalog) has a center
hole for fixing the can to the spare tire bracket in the typical trunk mount
application, as well as a locking gas cap, a flexible pour spout and built in
screen. The interior is sealed and the cans are tested to a burst pressure of
5 bar over atmospheric (6 bar absolute). A carrying handle is also welded to
the body. A mounting kit (?) is also available for $8.
I purchased the Bekkers unit!
Additional note: I expect a negative outpouring of sentiment about the danger
of storing flammable petroleum based fuels next to the gas tank, buffered by
a semi-resilient airbag from front impact, in an area cooler than the trunk
application for which it was designed, but ...
Hope this helps someone.
Frank Grunthaner
