Date:         Fri, 17 Dec 2004 12:24:25 -0800
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon name
In-Reply-To:  <BAY19-DAV10F284FBBC70D70502B2EFE0AF0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Been using Vanagons as daily drivers for over 15 years.  Only time I didn't
make it where I was going (or home) is when I ran out of gas.  I can't
really blame the Vanagon for that one...

Cheers,

Jeff



-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Aristotle Sagan
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 12:10 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Vanagon name


> That thing Toyota built was a piece of junk in the design world.
> Way to small. engine between the seat was terrible. But the price
> was right, so they sold them.
>                                         Eric
>

You are kidding aren't you Eric?

Anybody driving a Vanagon calling any Toyota a piece of junk has his mindset
is some other world. Anybody driving a stock Vanagon calling any other
engine setup TOO small has got to find reality in some other universe.

I love my Vanagon, but rely on it for everyday transportation? Hats off to
anyone who does but I'll take a Toyota anything for everyday transportation.

It's like I told my Dad when he was thinking about replacing the Jetta my
mother wrecked. I asked him if, at the age of 68, did he want to work on it
or drive it. He bought the Camry. 7 years later, it's still going with
little or no maintenance.

tim in san jose

>
> Alex Towner wrote:
>
> >Interesting story to highlight that Vanagon is a combination of Van and
Wagon:
> >
> >In the early 1980's Toyota released their minivan in the US. It was
called the VanWagon. Much like the VW, it was mostly used as a commercial
van abroad. The front seats were on top of the engine, which in turn was
between the front wheels. Ugly as sin, but it had a very reliable
powertrain. Access under the front seats was a joke however. It was later
redesigned and called the Previa.
> >
> >Anyway, within the VanWagon's first year on the American market, Toyota
got a call from VW lawyers. I'm not sure what litigation ensued if any, but
soon the Toyota was called simply the "Van". VW claimed the Toyota name was
way too close to Vanagon, and therefore infringing on a VW trademark.
> >
> >Now you know the Rest of the Story...
> >
> >-Alex
> >Freezing in NH and wishing for a car that won't rust.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>