Date:         Sat, 18 Nov 2000 22:24:27 -0500
Reply-To:     "Karl M." <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Karl M." <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Re: Unimogs, was   Re: Tristar Prices FWIW
Comments: To: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Oh, this is just hogwash. You need to stop reading so much, and drive one.
The Unimog is nothing short of an amazing vehicle! I recently visited a
friend from the list in Pennsylvania, who owns 3 Syncro Vanagons, and 6
Unimogs. I had never seen one in person, and he offered a ride through the
mountains in his 'Mog 406 shorty (diesel), and up his personal 'obstacle'
course, which was a 45~50 degree slope covered in huge boulders. The thing
was loud and slow, but I was blown away by the extreme capabilities of the
machine. Hydraulic-operated diff locks front and rear, big 20 inch wheels
with strange looking military-style tires. He could weave through the tight
trees on his property, over 12 inch diameter logs, huge rocks, you name it,
the machine said 'no problem'. Then we approached the steep slope, locked
the diffs, and I held on REAL tight to anything I could, 'cause this beast
went up and over rocks that would swallow a Syncro whole. Absolutely
incredible! No way in Hades will any Syncro touch the capabilites of these
Unimogs. Oh, I love my Syncro Westy, and have been some tight places with
it, but I WILL own a Unimog some day too, they are a real indestructable 4WD
machine! And have been used for years as military vehicles and serious farm
vehicles/tractors! Not to mention aircraft pullers, backhoes, snow blowers,
etc. etc.

Karl Mullendore
Westy Ventures
1987 Syncro Westfalia 1.9TD

----- Original Message -----

> a chance to buy a 1957 Unimog. It is a working vehicle (not prettified).
> >What is it worth? Anyone.
> >-Larry
> >
> Apparently Unimogs handle REALLY badly, and the independently-suspended
cab
> leans severely in corners, in addition to the chassis' lean! I have read
> that their 4WD abilities are not good either.>
> The NZ "army" (toy soldiers) have them, and I imagine they sell off the
> older ones. No way would I look at one.>
> Stick with Vanagons.
> Andrew Grebneff