Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:34:50 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: difference's between model years
In-Reply-To: <2a96aecf04df4e199127040998b28c3a@DM2PR08MB285.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>
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This is true for virtually all car models, constant improvement is the
model. My $0.02 on your question:
I think the biggest weakness with the early vans ('80-'83.5) is that VW
released the rig before they had a proper engine for it. First vans were air
cooled (continued the use of the 2.0 70 hp Type 2 engine and no heat) and
1.6 diesel (50 hp), and then the 1.9 WBX (80 hp) was introduced in mid 1983
(and commonly developed head gasket leaks early).
The interior was upgraded in 1985 with better front seats (earlier vans used
the same poor seat as the earlier Type 2s) with armrests and contoured rear
seats, which are not as good for sleeping as the previous flat seats in
Westies up to '84 IMHO. I had an '84 Westy and upgraded the front seats.
In '85 "luxury" items were included more often like power steering and air
conditioning.
In 1986 the 2.1 (95 hp) engine was introduced along with the Syncro version,
headlights were changed to rectangular (now deemed inferior to round
European halogen lights) and later models had more refinements every year,
including power locks, windows, mirrors, improved air conditioning, improved
front seats, and "Euro style" looks with a plastic valance around the van
along with molded plastic bumpers.
Vanagons could not be ordered with your choice of options, dealers were
delivered an allotment that VW of America chose. So, you'll find various
models like GL, Wolfsburg, Prerunner, Westfalia Camper, etc., which
designated various trim and option packages.
Wikipedia has a decent write up on the Vanagon, and maybe some list members
can improve it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Type_2_(T3)
Stuart
'85 Westy now after an '84 for 20 years
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Higginbotham, David A.
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2014 9:40 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: difference's between model years
I know that it is accepted that the later year vanagons are better than the
earlier vanagons, why? Not wanting to open up a can of worms here, but I am
curious what were the various improvements made to the vanagons between 1980
and 1991. Is there a comprehensive list somewhere that someone has compiled
that lists these changes? I vaguely remember something mentioned about
something like this here on the list a number of years ago but I have slept
since then.
David Higginbotham
82 Westy (back on the road WHOOHOOO!!)
Silk Hope, NC
