Not that I don't hate rust - maybe more than most - but... My syncro passenger van had some rust when I bought it - not quite as bad as the blue syncro on Detroit Craigslist, but enough to make a Californian cringe for sure. That was in 1998. It does take some periodic effort to keep the rust in check, and ultimate defeat is inevitable, but I have no doubt it will last at least another 10 years. Also, until I got my '82 Westy last summer, I had no idea what I was missing! It was after eating a lovely dinner for 4 in a Westy at Watkins Glen two years ago that I really saw the light. IMO the pop-top makes a huge difference and really transforms the vehicle. Sure you could "just add a pop-top", but, realistically, how many people are capable of or willing to undertake a project like that? I think if you can get 10 years out of a $4,000 syncro Westy compared to not being able to afford a $20,000 showpiece, you should go for it. 10 years from now we'll all be gliding silently along in hydrogen-powered hovercrafts anyhow, right? :) Rust sucks, but it isn't always the end of the world. Doug Fitz-Randolph Freeport, ME |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.