Date:         Tue, 27 Sep 2005 16:35:16 -0700
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: To Buy or not to Buy? 86 Vanagon Westfalia
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2005092718152612@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

All 85-91 have the same short sliding door outside handle. The Vin# is
shown in one of the photos. The 10th digit is an 'F' so it is an 85 for
sure. The last 6 digits indicate it is an early 85. Only number 003991
made that model year out of something like 100,000.

That means it is probably lacking the most significant improvements
introduced part way through that model year.
#1 the vastly improved parking brake lever
#2 the plastic main coolant pipes
#3 the cast lower arms and larger front wheel bearings

Even if it lacks these, it is still better than an 84 by a ways, IMHO.

Mark

Roger Sisler wrote:

>It is a 85. The short sliding door handle is 85. Now determin if it is a
>late 85. See if it has plastic cooling tubes that go to the radiater.Also
>see if it has cast iorn lower control arms(very desirable)........
>
..