Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 10:02:23 -0400
Reply-To: Adam Brooks <adambrooks@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Adam Brooks <adambrooks@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: Near Death Experience in the Vanagon
In-Reply-To: <v01550103b7f428231f5d@[202.27.179.134]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
I have to agree with Andrew. These Vanagons are a lot stronger than the
so-called "experts" give them credit for. Last February, my wife was driving
our 86 Syncro Westy when an elderly gentleman in an Acura Integra (1997 or
1998 vintage) turned in front of her. The police report listed her speed at
35-40 mph and she struck his car approximately 6-8" ahead of the front of
the passenger side door. His car was totalled, even breaking the front
suspension to the point that the front wheel was held on only by the axle.
She drove the Syncro on home, and other than bruises from the seatbelt and a
stiff neck, she was fine. As for the Syncro, the damage is still there eight
months later, and other than replacing the bumper and lower grille, I
haven't made repairs, Ifyou were not looking for it, you couldn't see it. I
think this speaks volumes about the integrity of the Vanagon, and also
incompetence... for the gentleman that turned in front of her had a similar
accident in another car the year before (he admitted this to my wife and the
officer), and chastised her for not "stopping for him as he turned..." even
though she had the right of way. It amazes me how many people have so little
knowlege of the rules of the road and consistently exercise incredibly poor
judgement in their daily commutes.
Adam Brooks
'57 Euro Type II Standard
'59 Euro Type I
'86 Syncro Westy (now Tiico-ized) "der Uberwagen"
Andrew wrote:
It's not speed that kills. It's incompetence.
>please...everyone...drive safely...be aware that there
>is barely anything in front of you in case of a head
>on collision...and...wear your seat belts...it's the
>least you could do...thanks
These are NOT unsafe vehicles. They are very solidly-built, and listees
have described accidents in them which show extremely impressive strength
of this body. Take a look at the head-on offset impact test (60mph combined
speed) with a Volvo 7-series tankwagon. The Volvo doesn't win...
www.oz.net/~sneakers/crash.htm
It'll open your eyes.
On top of everything else, the good suspension design, low center of mass
and 50/50 mass distribution are a good recipe for good handling. If swerves
seem wild, this is because you are sitting high up at the end of the
pendulum, which makes maneuvers seem extreme.
Andrew Grebneff
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Phone: 0064 (3) 473-8863
Fax: 0064 (3) 479-7527
165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand
Fossil preparator, shell collector, Macintosh and VW & Toyota van nut
1984 Volkswagen Type 25 Caravelle GL (to be fitted with Subaru EG33 engine
etc)
1986 CE80 Toyota Corolla DX diesel 1.8 sedan
1989 CE96 Toyota Corolla DX diesel 1.8 van
1989 CT170 Toyota Corona Select 2.0 diesel sedan
1992 CXR10G Toyota Estima Lucida 2.2 turbodiesel (=narrow-bodied Previa)
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