Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2007 01:34:39 -0400
Reply-To: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Remembering the First Bus
In-Reply-To: <f0510030ac3053b9ce616@218.101.117.136>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
My first bus:
Its a 1985. And what a story...
I was 16, just about to turn 17. I just got my drivers licence, it was a
really exciting time...all kinds of "freedom". So i'm at my friends house
and its my first time there, we're walking around the house and what do i
find but a silver VW bus next to the house. I can honestly say, that i had
never actually seen upclose a VW bus of any generation before this
experience, nor have i ever seen a vanagon (not even a picture) (or so i
thought/think). Well its a long, really sad story from there, theres alot to
it, i should really type it out sometime (if you guys think that would be
interesting?)....but they told me it was for sale and i said "ok". I went
out, got a real job that day. Worked my ass off for 3 weeks, got enough
money together to pay what they wanted and approached my parents. They would
not let me buy it because with 2 more years of living under their roof at
this point, they thought it important to own the cars. (looking back on
this, i'm glad i put up with this, they made a great decision here!) So they
would not let me buy it, but offered to buy it and let me earn driving it
(and learn to drive it as it was the only stick in our family). So....now my
friends family has decided they will not sell it to me because they dont
want to have to see it around, they're going to miss it to much. So...they
put it on ebay. Well guess what....two can play at that game! Dont worry,
we're still friends....but i bought it off ebay. I have never seen lying
like this! I'm talking Grade A stuff! When we picked it up, i "guess"
everything might have kindof worked as listed in the auction. but one month
later, everything was wrong with the car and the year an a half
"Restoration" (if you can call it that!) followed (failed inspection
HORRIBLY). We're getting there. Its almost ready for the world. But i have
learned SOOOO much through the silver piece of crap westy top transplanted
ontop of a sunroof van with a crappy non-camper/partial camper interior. I
know now what i want to own when i buy my first car. For me, it must be a
1985 VW Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Edition Stick Shift. If you have one, or know
of one......i have very little money. Its probably not even worth telling me
about it.
Someday i'll own that bus. It will be awesome. And i'll cherish it untill it
eventually becomes to rusty and become lawn art. But even then.....major
components will be kept and cherished for the remainder of my life (thats
the goal at least). Thats right, this version of the story is lackign the
moral improvements and amazing recognitions that have come as a result of
this great experience. The good version can be requested, all requests will
be considered.
-Craig
'85GL Silver Rust bucket. Future parts bus.
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