Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:43:55 -0700
Reply-To: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: that is one very beautiful vanangon ... sigh ...
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTikWYu-H-ieJuh1HQ7v_TciRccWDZxbQhAPBD2ge@mail.gmail.com>
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As far as the early LT's are concerned, "Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder."
I personally prefer the appearance of the plain vans vs. Things like the "Florida" or "James Cook" edition campers. I suppose I am partial because I own an old rustbucket LT35. For the uninitiated, these are the ones with dually wheels in the rear for additional carrying capacity. Seems fine and dandy until you try to drive with a load. My LT has the inline-4 2.0 gas motor which was also installed in the early Porsche 924. VW detuned it to 78hp with a single carb supposedly to improve low end torque. If you look in the archives, you read about a trip from Burbank to San Francisco the normally takes me about six hours stretch to twelve. Part of that was waiting for AAA to bring water. Anyway, long story and in the archives.
The LT's do have a ton of space and not having the engine in the back makes them great for camper conversions. That's if you can over the look.
Parts are horrendously difficult to source in the US. Reason for me contemplating repowering with an American powerplant. Besides, it's my understanding from David Marshall that the Syncro version is based on Jeep mechanicals. I'd have to lose the duallies to make a swap practical. If only it wasn't so rusty. Body parts are nearly impossible to find here. The Mk1 LT's were plentiful in Europe but they are now virtual antiques. New body panels are getting difficult to find even over there. Then you have to contend with shipping.
Is the extra foot lengthwise and widthwise worth it? Maybe if you got the later model diesels. Remember the the early 80's to early 90's diesel Volvos sold in the US pilfered their engines from VW's LT parts bins.
Just telling it like it is.
BenT
Sent from my rusty LT
On Sep 17, 2010, at 8:08 AM, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Ok - just to be safe I waited until Friday :)
>
> These things are very very cool. If I wanted a dedicated traveling/camping
> vehicle it would be nearly perfect.
>
> That being said I would miss the utility of my Vanagon. This LT doesn't look
> much good for hauling things - people and camping yes - things no.
>
> But they are pretty darn cool!
>
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '85 GL (Gertie)
> '90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
> '86 (We call this one Scrap)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
