Date:         Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:35:04 +0000
Reply-To:     J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Classified Ad Sources for Vanagons

<I  mainly searched  Craigslist in all the surrounding areas, auto
trader.com and samba.  I found Craigslist to be the best even though
there where a few vans on auto trader that where not on craigslist.>


I found mine on Craigslist, and I WASN'T even looking for a Vanagon! I got to work very early one morning...bored...searched Craigslist for "vw bus", "westfalia", etc., came up empty on those, thought wtf, typed in "vanagon" and found the ad for my '84 Westy. I had at the time a perfectly good '75 Westfalia. The ad was days old, but I emailed the seller who promptly replied it was still available and sitting at a VW shop (engine seized). I got directions to place, and figured I'd go up Saturday to look at it (this was on a Wednesday). On the way home from work I decided to head up to look at it, even though it was way out out of my way. Then I got lost. Almost turned around, but then got back on track. Then, even though it was a rural area, I came across a head on collision and a massive traffic jam-again thought about turning around, but thought wtf, I've come this far might as well keep going. Finally found the place, took about a five minute walk around it, just looking in the w
indows (it was locked and the place was closed). Called the seller and left him a message that I'd bring him the cash the next day. So, on Saturday, instead of going to look at it, the garage where it was sitting towed it to my house. Bought it with the idea of doing the Subie conversion, but then thought the quickest way to get it back on the road was just to stick in another waterboxer, which I did-a 2.1. Once I got it running and started driving it the memories of how nice Vanagons are (had another '84 back in 2003) came rushing back! No death grip on the wheel on windy days, real heat with no oily smell, tons of space. I agonized for months, because I couldn't keep both the Vanagon and the '75, but in the end the Vanagon won out, and the '75 went on Ebay where it sold for a pretty good price. BTW, I had bought the '75 at the Manassass Bug Out, I went there that day with no intention of buying anything, and thats usually how it happens-when you AREN'T looking you find something!
   Jeff