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Date:         Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:37:28 -0400
Reply-To:     Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject:      Re: 70's automatic Vanagons?
Comments: To: Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <137456.96063.qm@web51002.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

(Woohoo, a Baywindow issue. I can handle these!!!) Hi Steven,

The Baywindow Automatic was 3-speed, not 2-speed. (It was Beetles that had the 2-speed) I know this for a fact, as I used to own a 1977 automatic bus. The same transmission was used on about 6 different models from VW and Audi over a range of years from 1973-1979. There were two models of auto transmissions used, and the 1976-1979 model is generally preferred over the earlier unit because it does not use vacuum-assisted shifting.

The Baywindow bus does have a less powerful engine than the vanagon, but it also weighs less. Acceleration is leisurely but acceptable. If you can live with an automatic vanagon, you can get used to an automatic baywindow.

The cost of maintaining a baywindow bus is no worse than maintaining a waterboxer. They are both old tech by modern standards and are best served by a mechanic who specializes in their service. If you are willing to operate within the baywindow's performance envelope and maintain the vehicle according to the recommended maintenance schedule I think they can be often be operated at a lower cost per mile than a vanagon. But as they say, Your Milage May Vary.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts 1973/74/77/79 Westfakia "Bob The Tomato www.pottsfamily.ca www.busesofthecorn.com

On 13-Sep-07, at 2:36 PM, Steven Johnson wrote:

> The vanagon did not exist in the U.S. until 1980. > I don't know about other countries but I think they > came into being pretty much everywhere starting in > 1980. Before that was the rounder air-cooled bread- > loaf looking Type II bus most associated to being > called the hippy bus. They came with a 2 speed > automatic that is kind of a dog at getting up to > speed. Considering your driving condition in your > location, I'd try to stay with a later vanagon with > an automatic unless you wish to deal with the > mechanical issues on an older vehicle. I know that > that would not be too bad of an option in your area > as LA is probably has more aircooled mechanics per > capita than anywhere else I can think of. But the > cost to maintain is climbing... Unless you plan > to take care of it yourself. Then I would say > go for it... > > Steven > '90 Westy (which I'd like to convert to an automatic > with TDI as well)..... > --- PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM> wrote: > >> I really like my 90 Westy, although I haven't tried >> out any of the >> electrical or propane camping stuff, yet. In the >> back of my mind, I would >> really like to have a 70's Vanagon, or a weekender >> bus or camper - I don't >> exactly know what I want...but the MAIN thing that I >> would HAVE to have >> would be an automatic transmission. Although I am >> able to drive a manual, I >> hate doing so. I live in Los Angeles, and the last >> time I tried driving a >> manual Westy (about 6 months ago) I felt like I was >> trying to dance with >> both legs and arms flailing about! So I am >> wondering if there is such a >> thing as an older vanagon with an AT. I don't care >> about AC or power >> windows in an older VW, although I wouldn't have a >> 90 Westy without these >> features. I would use the 90 for daily driving and >> camping (eventually) and >> the older one for transporting more people than my >> 90 Westy can handle, and >> light hauling. Is there such a thing as a 70's >> automatic Vanagon? I haven't >> seen one advertised in about a year of looking at >> bus ads. >> Patti >> 90 Westy automatic >> April 14, 2007 >> >


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