Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 09:30:15 EDT
Reply-To: BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject: was: MIA now: Bug-O-Rama report
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Please curb your use of profanities, Ms. Terrezia Kay.
I was in Sacramento attending Bug-O-Rama Sunday. Lots of VW's but very few
Vanagons.
Jim Miehle who brought the T3 single cab dump truck last year brought his
super rare T3 double cab specifically built for hunting. This green monster
came with the 112i engine with the optional (in Europe) catalytic converter,
rifle cabinet in the lower cargo compartment, swiveling rear captains chairs,
rear sliding windows, sunroof, factory over the a-pillar to the rear bed roll
cage, sunroofs and many other goodies usually associated with Tristars.
I could go on and on but I wouldn't have room to discuss Alex's (from ISP
West) red Tristar with factory bullbars, factory double sunroofs, and SA
alloys. He also had the optional tailgate cables. I'm not so sure about the
cargo bed liners. Anyway it was in superb condition. Fully loaded with
equipment typically available on Tristars. For the uninitiated, this
equipment level will be equal if not slightly better than Carats in the bus
version.
There was third double cab on the premises. Joshua brought his (silver)
double cab replete with Tristar decals. (Sorry for blowing the whistle on the
decals, Joshua.) This pretender had some unique features that neither of the
first two dokas I mentioned had. The cargo bed area was completely lined with
the same patterned plywood commonly found on the top engine covers of late
model dokas and single cabs. Both the side gates and the tailgates are
equally protected. The best feature on this doka is the rear cargo cover. It
is hinged on the left side gate (driver's side in LHD countries -- portside
for you boat oriented people.) It was gas strut assisted at the front edge.
The entire thing was constructed of aluminum sheet (aluminium for you RHD
drivers. = 0 ) with what appeared to be ample cross braced reinforcement.
Joshua said he thought these were built by the former owner. Although this
makes the left side gate unmovable, I personally think it is worth the cargo
security and improved aerodynamics that it offers. I wish that former owner
was from around here. I would be asking him to built me one.
Thanks to these three fellows for bringing their dokas to Bug-O-Rama.
Otherwise, there would have only been two Vanagons on the grounds plus three
in the parking lot. IIRC they were all 2wd Westies. Last year, if you will
recall my previous posts on the subject had a larger Vanagon attendance. This
year, the only listmember I spotted for Tim from Sacatomatoes.
I will post pictures in my webpage as soon as I get my PC fixed (one of these
days).
BenT
<A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/bentbtstr8/myhomepage/index.html">Vanagon
Cafe</A>
