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Date:   Wed, 2 Jan 2008 22:13:42 -0600
Reply-To:   Dan Weeks <theprofileco@DWX.COM>
Sender:   Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:   Dan Weeks <theprofileco@DWX.COM>
Subject:   Re: Vanagons in California...(Splitties)
Comments:   To: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:   <d1ea9acf0801021943p422d70d9wf5bc51edd2abcf87@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type:   text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

I grew up in a 65 splitty, white over blue, 7 passenger which my folks converted to what now would be called a weekender--removed everything aft of the front seats, custom made a rear seat that folded into a bed, plus two jumpseats forward, one with a porta- pottie under it. Folding mahogany table against the portside wall. We kids loved it--never camped in it, but daytripped all over, often for long days that had the three of us asleep on the bed long before we returned home. Had a gasoline heater. Many of our long daytrips were in winter, hiking and beachcombing when no one else was around. Great times.

Never drove it, of course, but it was a horribly noisy, swervy thing. I remember my dad telling my mom to try to keep speed between 60 & 65 on the highway, so at least on the flat, it would go that fast. I remember lots of third gear hills, though.

One great trip we took an abandoned logging road from north east central maine to the coast. It was virtually a trail, but we made it through.

THe vanagon is a vastly improved vehicle, but has the same utility. I'm a third generation VW bus owner--my grandfather had a late 50s 21- window, a mid-sixties westy, and an early seventies bay.

Dan 82 & 83 Westies

On Jan 2, 2008, at 9:43 PM, craig cowan wrote:

> <I saw a splittie on the road in 1998. No kidding. > We're more likely to see a unicorn or the Loch Ness Monster> > > I saw one once. It made my day. > Around here, it seems you'd be better off hunting for the skunk ape. > "Back when i was your age, i once saw a splitwindow bus....ON THE > ROAD. And > Pluto was a planet...." > In all fairness, i did have a chance to drive the most expensive 23 > window > i've ever seen sell on ebay. A fully original 20 or 30K mile show > car. It > sold for something like $60K. However, i did not see it on the > road, and > only drove it about 25feet into a garage. Based on that though, > they do seem > to drive pretty nice. > : ) > > -Craig > '85GL > Which actually drove, and made it around the block today. > > On Jan 2, 2008 7:59 PM, Jonce Fancher <streetbugs@whispllc.com> wrote: > >> Yeah My 56 single was off the road for 10 years since they raised the >> speed limit to a suggested 70 mph. Here in Michigan 70 is the slow >> lane. my >> 56 was >> lucky to pull 60 mph and with the small tailights no one would >> even see me >> till it was to late. NOW I lowered it with straight bug axles and >> now can >> cruise at >> 70 NO Problem. I can at least stay up with traffic but the >> taillight issue >> is going to be resolved by a set of plug in Trailer lights for >> Travel. I >> wont sell that thing >> but I just dont want it hit either. >> C-ya Jonce >> >>> I hear what you are saying. At BBTD there was a guy there who had >>> a 60's >>> splittie camper. I had seen them in person at VW shows but this >>> was the >>> first one I ever got to sit inside of and even had the chance to >>> drive >> it. >>> Though there will always be a place in my heart for the splities >>> I could >> not >>> possibly see driving that thing on today's roads. Thinking back >>> to my '65 >>> beetle I think the beetle felt safer and more powerful. >> >> >>> Bryan >> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On >>> Behalf >> Of >>> Vdub Guy >>> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 6:21 PM >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >>> Subject: Re: Vanagons in California...(Splitties) >> >>> <I saw a splittie on the road in 1998. No kidding. >>> We're more likely to see a unicorn or the Loch Ness Monster> >> >> >> >>> I not only saw one just few weeks ago, I drove it from Natural >>> Bridge, >>> Virginia to Gainesville Virginia, where it broke down on I 66. >>> Did the >> last >>> 20 miles on a flat bed tow truck. A friend bought it, a '62 >>> panel. It >> was >>> like driving a tin can with a lawn mower engine. No thanks. I had >>> a '67 >>> Deluxe years ago, but I was 19 at the time. At my age, I'm more >> comfortable >>> with the Vanagon. Jeff >> >> >> Jonce Fancher >> >> 56 Single Cab >> 66 Sunroof Bug >> 66 Variant Squareback >> 66 Porsche 912 >> 71 Sunroof Bus >> 84 Vanagon "Gottfried" >> 85 Vanagon Westi >> 2003 10 Passenger Sprinter >> >> Fancher's Upholstery Inc. - www.fanchers.com >> Not-A-VW Club- http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransont3/notavwclub/ >>


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