Date:         Tue, 24 Feb 2004 12:19:15 -0600
Reply-To:     "Mr. Polak" <MrPolak@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Mr. Polak" <MrPolak@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: small car VW engine conversion
Comments: To: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@hotmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <LAW9-F56GP7tdgNvZMl00010208@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1

Robert Keezer said:
> The Vanagon is not designed for high speed driving and lacks the
> additional
> safety features such as airbags and ABS brakes.

Ah, Robert, lighten up.  The Vanagon is designed by Germans for Germans
and uses a robust utility chassis which is much tougher than Vanagon's
boxy exterior, or their American owners, might suggest.  My first
experience in Vanagon was doing 145 km/h with 9 people and their luggage
on board.  The year was 1981, the country was Austria, and the Vanagon was
a 1980 model.

The problem with our Vanagons is not their design but their age.  They are
suffering from a middle-age crisis, becoming worn out, loose, noisy and
out of shape.  A well-maintained stock Vanagon with its innards in good
working order is a wonderful beast.

Chris S.
'85 Westy <-- stock
'01 NB TDI