Date:         Mon, 22 Mar 2004 15:26:44 -0600
Reply-To:     Joel Walker <jwalker@BAMA.UA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joel Walker <jwalker@BAMA.UA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Vangaon Drag Coefficient?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> Anybody know it?  -john

this is from the July 1980 issue of Road & Track, in which they reviewed the
'new vw bus':

...
Starting at the front, the shape is more aerodynamically efficient despite
its angular appearance, and VW claims a drag coefficient of 0.44 (Remember,
though, drag is a function of this coefficient TIMES frontal area.) The
windshield is 21 percent larger than that of the previous Transporter and
there is a 22-percent increase in side window glass area -- the larger
greenhouse results in excellent outward vision in all directions. The space
between the front seats leading to the passenger area in the rear is 15
percent larger, as is the sliding side door (which Volkswagen was the first
to use on vans, by the way).

...

now, somewhere else i dimly recall that 0.44 number being slightly LESS than
some sportscar of the same year, i think it was a corvette. but the Gotcha
is, the actual drag is coefficient times frontal area. and the corvette
ain't got no frontal area. whereas the vanagon has frontal area and then
some! :)

unca joel