Date:         Wed, 23 Jan 2002 14:03:55 -0500
Reply-To:     John Unger <w4au@CONTESTING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Unger <w4au@CONTESTING.COM>
Subject:      '83 water-boxer for sale
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

FOR SALE: 1983 water-cooled Vanagon -- $1200.00

BACKGROUND: I am the original owner of this fine vehicle and have
been its friend through thick and thin. It has about 210,000 miles
(I say "about" because the odometer broke a few years ago; the
speedometer still functions fine). We used it for camping trips and
long drives to New England and Canada for the first 10 or so years
of its life and since then it has been relegated to shorter, local
jaunts around Virginia.

MECHANICAL: Recently the bus has started to have a problem with the
clutch/brake hydraulic system; I believe it is the clutch slave or
master cylinder. The symptom is that the brake/clutch fluid
reservoir needs to be refilled every couple of days. The van can be
driven short distances, but this problem definitely has to be fixed.
I think that the water pump is beginning to go; there are occasional
small leaks from the pump when the engine is warmed up. Also should
be fixed soon. The engine is a short block rebuild that was
installed at ~145,000 miles and runs strongly. A rebuilt transaxel
was put in at ~160,000 miles. The car has no problems with head
gaskets coolant leaks.

BODY: The body has no rust at the seams and is essentially rust-free
except for some small spots on the rear window/tailgate. The sliding
door has a dent/crease, which was a present from an unknown
assailant in a parking lot a few years ago and which shows some rust
where the paint was scraped off. The door functions OK; it's just a
little drafty and noisy when on the road; Door should be fixed or
replaced.

We live in western Loudoun County, Virginia, about 50 miles
northwest of Washington D.C. The van can be test driven and should
be OK to be moved up to a 100+ miles; no guarantees there. I have been driving it a couple of times a week around the countryside. I've
attempted to describe this vehicle as accurately as possible. Please
email me directly with questions.

Thanks - John Unger