Date:         Thu, 12 Oct 2006 17:45:17 -0700
Reply-To:     Aristotle Sagan <killer.jupiter@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Aristotle Sagan <killer.jupiter@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fwd: teenagers and vanagons
Comments: To: Sam Johnson <wrey45@yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2006101212375091@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Learned to drive in a parking lot with the GF's father's Dodge PU truck, 3
on the tree. Spent 6 months driving the Hyster forklift at the local lumber
yard with a 4 speed revers pattern shift and a sloppy clutch. When I went to
really learn... had a 67 International Travelall 3 on the column. Now that
was a beast. Took my test in a 72 Vega 4 speed on the floor. It all taught
me I could drive anything and could adapt to anything. It makes driving
U-Hauls a piece of cake as well as the van (4 speed) or my Ferd Exploder 5
on the floor). The hardest transition is from my Chevy PU 3 on the floor
(plus a granny gear) with a solid clutch to the Ferd with it's hydraulic
one. After a couple days of driving the Chevy, I continually want to start
the Ferd out in 2nd gear.

I taught my littlest sister to drive in pre-mentioned Vega because Mom
wouldn't teach her and she wouldn't go out with my Dad. It was easy. You
teach them that the clutch control is prime, the gas control comes
naturally, and you always pay attention to what's going on around you.

Hardest part of driving in Germany? Staying out of the third lane of the
autobahn. I never had a car that should be out there playing with the big
Bimmers, Mercedes, and Porsches.


tim in san jose

On 10/12/06, Sam Johnson <wrey45@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Mordo,
>             I am more than curious about the method your Dad used to teach
> you the clutch operation that you understood it in just one afternoon as I
> have a standard transmission on my '84 Westy and would love to teach my
> better half how to do it simply - in one afternoon!
>
> Sam
>



--
Where ever you are, there you be. Unless you're driving my van, in which
case, you ain't got there yet.