Date:         Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:21:16 -0400
Reply-To:     Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject:      Friday ride

Yea, feels good, when you put your "blood" (and yes, real blood) in a
project like i did, it's nice after 3 month to finally test drive that thing...

So last week my Tonado Van Project went on a flat bed for the Quebec
inspection (Was a US Van), 20 minutes later the guys call me up and says:
i'm done with it! i say ???, you didn't even do any testing ( even if the
van was rebuilt all the way, i was nervous like hell, did i forgot
something??), i said: what is wrong with it?
He said: exactly, nothing! i don't need to do any testing, i took a good
look under it and that was enough, i have seen what i had to see. Best
restoration job i have seen for a long time, and certainly the nicest Westy
ever to some here.... Now, go put some licence plate on that beauty and
drive it!

I said: thanks sir!

So this week i put the plate on it, and today was my official first sunny
ride, 150 miles going... nowhere, just driving the red lady in some small
road. Trying to "appreciate" the van i have saved from the scrapyard, the
finish product,  all those details i have work so hard on. That thing drove
like... i have to say, a new car! but wile driving i was kind of scared,
asking myself, did i forgot one bolt somewhere, like in the steering rack...
the hell, it's running so fine, now let see what this engine can do... well,
it's the fastest semi-stock 2.1L vanagon i have ever driven...
The hell with new cam, bearing, pistons, heads... drive it hard! Well, only
for a minute or 2. Now, as i'm driving a slighly modified 2.1L with B.Bob
Euro computer i'm not sure what make the difference but believe me, there is
one. Sadly a bit, this engine is going out (already sold) and a Vanaru 2.5L
will replace it very soon, stangly, i feel sad about that. I have put as
much work on that engine then on the van itself. But hey, i'm no
conservative and certainly not a purist.

I am now back to a "Vanagon owner" state, i don't like to give name to car
or van, but this one,i may make an exception! (like: Daredevil... Red Evil,
 The Red Tomato, The Red Beast...).

I had to fix an 94 Eurovan yesterday, small work, i went for a long test
drive.... bah! this is how i felt after that drive. I have own Bus's just
before, including a mint 79 delux camper (my dream), but i have to say that
an "in shape" Vanagon is quite a nice ride, probably the best compact camper
out there.

I think i'll go for another ride, good thing i have no camping gear in it, i
would never stop.

Cheers, Ben
http://www.benplace.com/85westy2.htm