Date:         Sat, 29 Jul 2006 15:36:08 -0700
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Dr. Z - (vague volkswagen content)
In-Reply-To:  <20060729211734.43952.qmail@web37406.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> The arguement that VW created the minivan has been brought up before.  VW
> actually created the "microbus" (think tiny bus) not the Minivan.  However
> Chrysler took their usually full-size van line and conceptialized a
> smalled-version built on K-car componantry and based it on front-wheel
> drive, making it more economical than those full-sized RWD vans as well.  It
> was quite revolutionary at the time (1984) when station wagons and VW
> microbuses were the only other way families could haul crap down the road.


Sorry, if you're going to disqualify the VW entry based simply on size, then
the prize still doesn't go to Chrysler. Next in line, with front-wheel drive
and small stature is the Toyota Liteace, which beat the Chrysler to market
by FIFTEEN YEARS. Here's a 1970 Liteace:
<http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ip3t-nksn/Pages/B-classic/Qrp509.htm>

Now if you want to narrow it down to the "First Van Sold in the US Market
Under 6 Feet Tall (But Not a Station Wagon) Which Puts the Driver Behind the
Front Wheels Rather Than ON Them", I guess maybe that'd be the Dodge
Caravan.

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"