Date:         Mon, 8 Apr 2002 13:24:24 -0500
Reply-To:     "Filcoff, David M." <FilcoffD@MISSOURI.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Filcoff, David M." <FilcoffD@MISSOURI.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon crash safety/Projectzwo bull bars
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Well I ran into a Caviler that failed to yield at 35 MPH in my Vanagon, I believe the Vanagon is a very safe vehicle.  I walked away, the other driver ended up in an ambulance because she wasn't wearing her seatbelt.  I have since ordered a bull bar from Tiico, not for crash protection, more to protect the $600 fiberglass bumper cover and it looks like a nice place to put your drink at campouts.  See pics of the Vanagon after the wreck and the repair process on my site.  There's a good shot of the frame structure with the front sheet metal removed in the most recent pics. http://www.251.org/vgon_dent.html

Several years ago my Vanagon was rearended by a Camaro,  the Vanagon suffered a cracked bumper cover and the Camaro was towed away.  That's two chevys that have tried to get my Vanagon, I'm 2-0 so far, hopefully they see that thay cannot win and will give up.

Side note, ever wonder why you get rust in the seam behind the front bumper?  Check out the pics linked above, the rust comes from behind the panel, impossible to fix with out removing the panel completely.

Dave
251.org
87 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg
61 Bus
88 GTI 16v