Date:         Mon, 13 May 2002 16:47:22 -0400
Reply-To:     "G. Matthew Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "G. Matthew Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Organization: Bulley-Hewlett
Subject:      Re: Bus for sale....(which year is best)
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2002051316222140@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Personally, if you MUST have an older Westfalia, the 1978-1979 models
were the best. They had a great layout in the interior, the 2.0 with
hydraulic lifters, and decent colors.

I think, however (having owned both a couple of 1970's 'buses' and a now
a Vanagon) that you should find someone in your area from whom you can
borrow the intended vehicle for a day or two and drive it around. I
think if you do this, you will find that the 1970's era VW bus is a
loud, smoky, cold, anemic, lurching clankfest that is a grim struggle to
drive when compared with the Vanagon. Earlier models are much worse.
Further, you won't be able to drive it anywhere without people
spontaneously flashing you the "Peace" sign... or asking you for "weed".
You couldn't GIVE me a >1970's VW bus to drive. Ugh, I'd use a
pogo-stick first.

The evolution of the bus from 1957-2002 (unlike most car models) has
been one of clear, palpable advances with each change in chassis/design
philosophy. Although I don't like the aesthetics/interior space of the
Eurovan, overall I have to acknowledge it is a far better vehicle than
my own beloved Vanagon.

Perhaps the aesthetics of the 1970's van are more important to you, and
thus, the choice is made.

Developing business and guiding change since 1996,

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications
Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com
Alliance: www.ntara.com
Phone: +1.919.658.1278


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Ben huot
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2002 4:22 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Bus for sale....(which year is best)

Thank you all again for the FAN explanation!

I know it's a Vanagon list but I'm sure a few bus questions won't hurt.

Correct me if am wrong:

1- From 71 to 79 the main body is about the same size and weight(not the
pop top, I know)

2- The camper interior layout is better after 74 (fridge and all)
After 75, the interior layout is about the same as the 80 series.

3- The 2.0L Air cooled must be more powerful than the 1.8, 1.7, 1.6
(same
body!), I know that when the 2.0L came out is was to compensate the
weight
addition of the fridge, stove and bigger pop-top etc. But if the body
was
the same than the previous years, the overall power must be better than
70/75!

All those question because I am looking for one, my girl is crazy about
the
older shape (-79). What I personally want is those 65/69 years with the
VW
"V" shape and big round light in the front (with the square pop top).
But
they tell me that they are quite rare, also the original engine was a
beetle 1300cc engine and the van was very underpowered, the solution was
to
put a 1600cc (easily fitted) into those.

Second choice would be a 75 over because of the interior layout and the
improve power curve of the 2.0L, if the 80-83 run the 2.0L the power
must
be good in a 75-79!!!

I also don't like the 71/73 interior layouts; I don't like the big sink
in
the entrance (side door) and the small pop top that open the other way.
I
have seen the interior of this pop-top and if I am right there is only
places for one child (the one I have seen is like a hammock single bed
on
the left side) I like a full bed up there.

Remember that I don't use my west for showing!! I like to do very long
trip
and I like to sleep by myself some time (when camping with my girl!! or
other friend).

I am a bit confuse about the 69/73 years as to who was doing the
conversion, was there official Westfalia camper, first year of the full
pop-top, orientation of the pop-top.

Please correct me if am wrong.

Like you probably all know, I am from Montreal, So if any of you guys
are
aware of some good deal around the northern / eastern USA / Canada, let
me
know. (I hate e-bay!)

Is it true that the best deal would be the 69/73 years.
Cheers, Ben