Date:         Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:28:01 -0700
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon vs Element..from digest mode..
In-Reply-To:  <c803c1a70807281351i4d0e3d20s29382ea89e87308d@mail.gmail.com>
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> I think that Pontiac had a similar idea when they came out with the Aztek -

My sister had one of those, and by all accounts it was designed by a
GM junior engineer with a degree from "Lurn By Mail Collidge" or
something. Her husband (a mechanic by trade) was telling me about
changing the spark plugs. Surely some here have heard about the old
Jaguar inline 6 where you had to partially remove the engine to get at
that last spark plug. The Aztek was GM's attempt to do the same trick,
only three times better. The rear bank of plugs on the transverse V6
was only reachable after unbolting the rear motor mounts and tilting
the engine (with a special tool that also holds it in place tilted) to
access the back side. Apparently the entire vehicle was like that, to
varying degrees. Clearly it was a one-off concept car that was pushed
straight into production with no thought about long-term maintenance.
I thank my lucky stars every time I open the hatch on my Vanagon and
can reach all that stuff...

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Lastwagen"
'90 Vanagon GL - "Wiesel"