Date:         Sun, 9 May 2004 09:16:17 +0200
Reply-To:     Calle Fallberg <calle.fallberg@TELIA.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Calle Fallberg <calle.fallberg@TELIA.COM>
Subject:      State of the List... State your ages!!!!!!! :<)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> ----- Original Message -----
>
> > i think it would be a cool thread to see the average ages of people on
the
> > list...and why you like vw vans, or why you bought your van..and if you
> used it
> > for your your family, or just yourself..
> >
> > chris
> >
>
 OK, my turn

 I´m 48 years old, have had a ton of different sedans and stationvagons of
 many different brands, mostly Volvo and Saab since they are cheap and
common
 in Sweden and I think it´s a good idea to drive a domestic car because of
 the big amount of cheap spare parts.
 The stationvagon bit is because of my other big interest, Belgian shepherd
 dogs .
 I´d been searching for some nice van a couple of years, not too serious but
 still, testing some Toyotas and Mazdas who are quite common here and was
 almost ready to buy a Chevy Astro when my wife at the time had a chance to
 buy a  -88 Vanagon really cheap at work.
 It had ben used as a transportcar for convicts at a minor security jail
when
 they were out working in the wood, so it´s interior wasn´t all perfect !
 There were cuts in the seats, lots of sawchain oil in the back and graffiti
 on the walls but it was well taken care of in maintenance and drove like a
 dream so we bought it right away !
 BTW, it´s what VW europe call a Transporter, the simplest model with
 cardboard walls and ceiling but it had the digifant engine and fivespeed
 tranny.
 Anyway, the interior has been modified at least a dozen times since I
bought
 it, I like the idea of using the Vanagon as a camper but my ideas are
 somewhat bigger than my carpenting skills !
 The latest rebuild was caused by a rised floor that was the result of an
 engine break down with a Volvo I4 ( see, domestic again :-) ) to replace
the
 nice but expensive WBX - I´m better with a ratchet than saw and hammer.
 Due to a clutch problem - and a divorce - it has been parked outside for a
 couple of years now but we have been through too much to part so even if I
 enjoy the Volvo 745 automatic and the Suzuki Samurai that are in use right
 now the Vanagon is about to be in traffic again after this summer - if I
get
 the Samurai welded and sold !

 Calle
 -88 Volgon
 Mullhyttan, Sweden