Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2006 06:30:13 -0700
Reply-To: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: 6th Annual Van-O-Rama Report... Thanks for all those who
attended...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi Gang,
It was a fun day as usual with some of the usual suspects and some new ones
this year. We had a couple of dozen 20 Vanagons of various configurations of
which 3 were doublecabs and 2 were Adventurewagens. The rest were Westies
and Vanagons (both Syncros and 2wd).
IIRC there were about 2 Subie powered rigs. There was Warren's 2.5, & Paul's
2.2. New to the scene, Ming-Wei Shen & wife Karen came with their former
Diesel Westy which Paul converted to a 2.0 liter crossflow head inline-4. He
did all the work himself including he wiring w/o a kit of any sort. He also
has a rear hatch rack with a shelf made from recycled car parts (pics later)
which made a perfect table to serve the pizzas.
My special thanks to my GF SpicyT who got the pizzas for us when I was not
able to get way to get them myself. You gotta love her for not only putting
up with my Vanagon hobby but actually putting up with me!
Body conversion kudos to Paul F. Not only did Paul Syncronize his 2wd
formerly automatic transmission Westy but he slipped a Subie engine in there
too. He does still have some minor tweaking left like making the exhaust
face towards the back of the van. =) Amazing accomplishment, Paul. Honorable
mention to Kim Q. for his Adventurewagen hightop conversion on his bright
yellow 87 Syncro. Kim's kids seemed a bit confused with the two AW's as we
saw them playing inside Thadd's 87 AW. They seem to fellas comfortable in
there as they did in their own van. Daddy Kim was tinkering with Thadd's
recently acquired rig -- playing with the awning, etc. Warren was also
showing off his newly modified burgundy (maroon) Syncro Westy's new widened
wheel arch. No rubber arches for Warren. His wheel arches sported a revised
opening. The best thing I can tell you is they looked stock.
Kim S. came with his nice white Tristar and parked it next to my 88 Doka
with a cargo full of parts (3 trannies of which 2 were 5-speeds, plus an
engine and remnants of my 89 parts van). Mario M. parked his dove blue Doka
just across from us. Charlie in his 83 Westy could only pine away as his 89
Tristar is still awaiting certification. At least he was able to scrutinize
some of the features he is expecting will be on his upcoming ride. I was
going to bring my Tristar 4th door but figured I should wait until next year
AFTER I have it installed in my Doka.
Keith O. came with his Viking faced 90 Syncro Westy. He was accompanied on
the drive in my other Marinite Jeff V. in his 87 Syncro Westy (thanks for
the Westy screens, Jeff). Recent MARIN County resident Mike Miller was
missing in action. He was working on his Country Homes Syncro in the morning
and never did finish in time.
Speaking of Country Homes conversions, I saw my old flash silver 90 Syncro
CH which was driven by Angie and Jim. They bought the van when Angie was
pregnant. Nice to see their new son Orion was already enjoying the Vanagon
camaraderie. Angie can fit behind the wheel now! There must be something
going on in Country Homes because Paolo and his wife came with their infant
son to along with their two other kids. I'm glad I don't have a CH anymore.
At least I only look pregnant.
Bumpers, bumpers, bumpers. No less than 4 tube-bumpered Westies were in
attendance. Jeff, Keith and Charlie had VC bumpers. Tim Fong had the real
deal. His Projektzwo bumpers cost as much as what I paid for my 88 Doka.
Yikes! BTW, Tim, thanks for always bringing folding chairs. Next time, bring
a damned table too. =) That goes for Jero as well. These two normally bring
tables and I have grown accustomed to that. Neither of them brought one this
time so we had to make do with Ming's rear rack for the pizzas.
There was some money swapping going on in that parking lot. Paolo just
snagged a clean powersteering rack and good used transmission for his
Rhinoliner covered CH roof Vanagon. Of course, I ended up with a pair of
Westy screens for a measly $25. Paolo was also giving way some factory
rubber mats. I got one piece and Jim T. got some for his CH conversion.
There was a lone tow hook hitch for $40 that didn't sell. Craig F. also had
his 90 or 91 Orly Blue Multivan for sale. Mrs. F. was on hand to oversee
that he was really trying to sell one of his many Vanagons. I told her that
he was an angel compared to me. He has about 5. I have 9. She gave a sigh of
relief and a nice smile as Paolo unloaded the tranny and steering rack of
their van.
Mike & Tal B. came with the only aircooled in attendance. The just acquired
this nice white 82 Westy with auto trans. It was in nice shape shape except
he did have those Astroturf colored floor mats. I don't know, Mike. They
remind me to much of a black jack table. Are you holding a crap game in
there? J/K.. congrats on the new acquisition. Thadd L.also just got his gold
87 (?) Adventurewagen. Welcome both to the community.
John & Vicki S. came with their nice gold 87 equipped with wheel chair ramp.
Nice color matched steel wheels w/ chrome hubcaps gave their ride a "fresh"
old school look. Goes to show you don't need alloy wheels to look cool. Dan
L. and his 87 Syncro Westy with the cool roof rack also sported steel
wheels. His looked like SA 15" steel rims. They look perfectly matched and
good solution for those seeking a larger wheel and tire combo without the
huge expense of alloys plus the added advantage of offroad durability. Other
Syncros in attendance were Jero's 90 non-GL and Peter S.'s 86 Syncro van.
Peter brought his Dad who was visiting the US (from the Emerald Isles?).
It was an unusually overcast day at this park. It got downright chilly as
the afternoon rolled in. By the time the last attendee left, it was 735pm in
the evening. I can't wait to do this again today. Thank you all again for
coming. If I missed sending you this email, it's because you did not put
your name down on the sign-up sheet. Yes, I know I didn't put it out until
some of you have left. So sorry. Pictures to follow as soon as I have time
to upload them somewhere.
Cheers,
BenT & SpicyT
(no that's not her real name)
On 9/9/06, Terry K <CTONLINE@webtv.net> wrote:
>
> And Yesterday was yesterday Benny---
> Good Call.
