Date:         Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:08:59 -0600
Reply-To:     David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
Subject:      I surrender.  '80 Westy needs new home
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Ok, ladies and gentlemen,  I resign.  Family and time considerations
have forced me to make the decision I am not going to be able to
bring my 1980 Westy back to life, and so I am beginning to put
feelers out for a new home for the poor thing.

The status of the vehicle :

Suffered an engine fire in November of last year.  Has the 2.0L air
cooled engine in it, but it was rebuilt shortly before I got it.
Prior to the fire, the vehicle was running well, had just put a new
head on it shortly after purchase, and it ran strong and
comfortable.  I have 95% of the parts you would need to put this
thing back together.  Might need a few extra hoses and such, but
everything else is there.  Also there are lots of extra parts - I
have a back up wiring harness, back up intake manifolds, backup air
flow control stuff, etc.  Have 3 ECUs for it, actually.    In short,
there is no reason someone who does not have the time and family/
medical constraints I have should not be able to put it back together.

There are a few other non-engine fire issues that will need tending
to : one inner CV joint has a small tear and will need to be
replaced.  The passenger side rack and pinion boot is also shredded,
and will need replaced.  The parking brake handle won't stay set, but
I have a replacement handle for it.

Camping gear wise - stove works great.  Sink works great.  Tank was
flushed and bleached right after I bought it, and holds water fine.
New external hookups (all 3).  New hose from the external water fill
to the tank.  Fridge works very well on DC and AC - I have never
gotten it to light on propane, but then I never actually got around
to cleaning out the combustion chamber either.  May be that is all it
needs.  Swivel seats in front are fine, haven't really looked at the
upholstery as they are covered in pretty comfy seat covers.  Rear
bench seat is there, working, has some moderate wear on the front
edge of the seat - fabric is worn enough to be unravelling on the
right side.  For a perfect van, should be redone.  For a campter, may
not be a big deal.  Could be patched, too.  Has brand new seals on
pop-top and luggage rack.  Has a brand new non-stock skylight/vent
(hole was already cut when I got it - just replaced the old, cracked
one with a new one).  Rear closet door is off, but I have it, and
could easily be refitted.

I will try and get some pictures posted to a website in the next day
or two.

So - brass tacks - I want to see what interest anyone on the list has
before I try anything else in terms of finding a home.  I see 3
possibilities : 1.  Do what I was trying to do, fix it up as an
aircooled Westy, and go camping;  2.  Prime candidate for an engine
swap to a Subaru or whatever;  3.  All the parts are there to take a
later model Vanagon and do a Westy upgrade for it.

Price - I am not decided yet.  Location - east of Colorado Springs,
Colorado.

I guess the question would be - is there anyone who would want to buy
this thing first, before I even try to get serious about selling it?
I would much prefer a list member to someone at random on eBay.  If
you would care to email me directly with interest and a vague range
of prices you might consider, it will help me decide what the heck to
do next.

Thanks.

David.