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Date:         Tue, 21 May 2002 15:32:47 -0600
Reply-To:     jmpio@NHBM.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         James Piotrowski <jmpio@NHBM.COM>
Subject:      My First Type 2
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hey folks, new to the list and I wanted to say "Hi." Last night I bought an '82 Westfalia. Previous VW experience was with a '78 Rabbit I bought in '85 and drove till it kicked in '90 or '91. I always regretted not caring better for that car, but I was young and stupid. When I got the keys to the "new" Vanagon I hopped in and took a spin and I experienced a unique feeling, I can't describe it but it was the same feeling I got when I first drove the Rabbit, and it most definitely is NOT a feeling I've gotten driving any other used car I've bought. VW Mystique? Who knows, but I'm determined to treat this vehicle much better than I have most of what I've driven. Like all new bus owners (at least I'd guess), I'm pretty excited about the potential of this thing. Mechanicals seem good (I'll check it out more thoroughly over the weekend, I bought the thing in a hurry because the price seemed pretty darn good to me), body is solid, paint a bit oxidized, bumpers need help, and all the camping gear functions. But the interior is in pretty sad aesthetic condition. The white vinyl (?) liner that covered most of the interior panels and inside the cabinets is entirely shot, peeling, pulled off, probably 85% of it just plain gone. Sliding door panel has been replaced with a piece of cheap, contact paper covered hardboard. Upholstery is original, no rips or tears, but a bit faded and dirty, and, of course, has all the style that 1982 had to offer. Most of the carpet is pretty good, as it was protected by mats.

So here's the big question of the moment. I do a fair bit of woodworking, I've entirely renovated one home, and my mechanical skills are so-so, but I learn fast. So the sky is the limit on what I can do with the interior. I'm guessing this list has probably discussed before the relative merits of a "restoration" job, i.e., back to factory original vs. a "renovation", i.e., doing what you want at the moment to create a beautiful, functional space. Would some nonetheless be willing to share their thoughts on the merits of each of these approaches to re-doing the interior?


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