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Date:         Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:16:21 -0800
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: The real story about the invention of the WBX?
Comments: To: Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

this makes a lot of sense : "there was a political consideration as well: by inventing the WBX they could keep employed a lot of the workers who used to build the air-cooled version of the engine. This kept the unions from getting grumpy about layoffs."

I betcha that was a significant factor.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Allan Streib" <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 2:09 PM Subject: Re: The real story about the invention of the WBX?

> On Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:02:09 -0800, "Zeitgeist" <gruengeist@GMAIL.COM> > said: > >> I think the point being that VW should've used the introduction of the T3 >> to >> turn over a new leaf and leave the flat engine configuration behind for >> good. They had a host of robust 4 and 5 cyl engines in '79, so it just >> seems silly that they bothered to start with the carry-over 2.0L AC from >> the >> '79 Bay window bus. Despite all the bashing it gets on this list, the >> WBX >> is a good engine, that can typically provide a long service life...but, >> it >> was old-tech engineering that was outdated even when it was introduced. >> The >> Audi 2.3L gasser and 2.0L turbodiesel fivers were a perfect match, though >> they should've opted for a distributor-less design in the former to avoid >> engine lid issues. >> >> Oh, if only I ran the world... > > As I recall from prior discussions of this topic, there was a political > consideration as well: by inventing the WBX they could keep employed a lot > of the workers who used to build the air-cooled version of the engine. > This kept the unions from getting grumpy about layoffs. > > Allan > -- > 1991 Vanagon GL


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