Date:         Sun, 3 Jun 2001 08:31:09 -0700
Reply-To:     '80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         '80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
Subject:      Vixen Motothomes (Was: 70's GMC motorhome)
Comments: To: jhrodgers@CHARTER.NET
Content-Type: text/plain

If anyone collects Car and Driver Magazine there is an excellent article on the Vixen 21TD in the October 86 Issue. Here are some stats from the test:

Curb Weight: 5880 lbs
Height: 76"
Length: 250.2"
Width: 85"
Turning Circle: 50'
Top Speed: 100 MPH
Steady 55 MPH: 31 MPG
Observed MPG: 20

Very intersting vehicle, I have liked these ever since I saw them the pop top opens sideways to provide headroom over the galley and washroom (complete with shower). Five passenger seating driver bucket + two benches (that create a settee for eating).

The Engine interests me, its a 114hp 2.4L BMW straight six, fairly low profile. It hangs out back, a pair of radiators and their cooling fins straddle it while the transaxle is forward between the rear wheels. Do we have a potential Vanagon engine Swap here?

Thanks,
Chris

On Sun, 03 June 2001, John Rodgers wrote:

>
> Joel, during my years in Alaska I drove and saw untold numbers of big
> motor homes, and they all had one huge problem for driving in the Far
> North. They had huge ---read Very Long --- overhang past the rear
> wheels. This is a major problem in the Far North because of the roads
> and terrain. Drag like crazy when on rough terrain or loading onto
> ferrys, and the like. Always hanging up and tearing up the bottom edges
> of the body and the undercarriage....anything sticking back behind those
> rear wheels. I refused to ever buy a motorhome for this reason.
>
> I looked at the site you listed and LOW! there was a motorhome with no
> significant overhang past the rear wheels.
>
> Thanks for posting the site. At last a motorhome that has real
> possibilities for me.
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Joel Walker wrote:
> >
> > > 70's GMC motorhome, designed from the ground up
> > > For those who want a little moore room but want
> > > something as good looking as a vanagon,
> >
> > but if the GMCs are too big, check these out ... with traditional
> > rear-engine, rear-wheel drive, and even a german engine (optional) ..
> > a bmw turbo-diesel! :)
> >
> > at 8 feet shorter than the GMC, and a good bit better fuel economy,
> > it's an alternative. ;)
> > kinda looks a bit like a vanagon, too. :)
> >
> > http://www.agencyrv.com/
> >
> > and, it has the similar distinctions of our Vanagon:
> > - it ain't being made no more.
> > - guess who gets to fix it. :)
> > - limited supply of parts and accessories.
> > - costs not much more than a syncro westfalia (california prices used
> > for comparison) :)
> >
> > unca joel

Thanks,
Chris Gronski
'80 Westy "Pokey" - SLOPOKEY
'87 Chevrolet Sprint - Ice Racer
'91 Pontiac Firefly - Convertable
www.vanagon.org & .ca
www.gronski.com, .org, & .ca
www.nineeleven.org & .ca