Date:         Thu, 2 Aug 2007 23:08:43 -0700
Reply-To:     neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: When a 20-yr old can't afford a hippy bus
Comments: To: Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net>
In-Reply-To:  <002001c7d58e$0d3e2f80$16b2d8d1@dhanson>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Wow. 36HP.

Brings back memories.

I've posted this detail before, but my first ride was a 58' Beetle. My
old man got it for $50 back in er, uh, 78?? He figured since I didn't
pursue electronics, I might tackle a Bug.

So I did.

It had a siezed engine, only 2nd gear, but was straight. I had a lot
of fun fixing that up. I knew nothing of engines etc. before that.
Hell, I was too young to get a license. But eventually got it running.
Complete with new bearings, rings etc. Even though "self taught" has
its' merits, I learned some "bad habits" learning to wrench more or
less on my own. Anyhow......

36HP in a beetle was pretty slow.

Can't imagine in the Transporter.

I recall a family friend driving in Italy with one of those for work.
He had to BACK up some hills because they were too steep! (with a
load)

And somewhere in the basement, I actually have a shop manual for the
transporter......though I think it's for the 40HP model.

Anyway.....

Don, I say, stick with the "art".

Making good joins by hand, is just that. Art. And that's only a bit of it eh?

----- Says someone who can appreciate the "art" of the hand, but only
knows enough (as relates to non ferrous metal), to "get in trouble"
-----

Me and wood don't get along!

Neil.


--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil

P.S. a splitty is far more cool than a Beetle!


On 8/2/07, Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net> wrote:
>   Back when I was 20, I worked to barely own my 57 split window 36hp house
> on wheels.  Fried burgers in Seal Beach, Ca. and washed dishes in Aspen, Co.
> in winter..Lived in the bus, because rent was too steep.  Pretty cold in
> Aspen..
>
>   Ah, but now, I can still just barely afford my 84 hippy bus.(smiley face)
> Still live in it for months at a time.  Make about the same spendable income
> these days being a master carpenter and cabinet maker as I did flipping
> burgers or washing dishes.
>
>   But, would I trade it all for a "real job"?  Stockbroker, Oil man,
> politician?  No..I guess not..in fact..
> He** No!...  No Way!
>   Don Hanson
>