Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 19:43:20 +0000
Reply-To: Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Asking VW about plans for a new microbus
In-Reply-To: <CAJ92nOePOqmC6Aa0D9i6rhLn97TDTKXxwKkG5oZ0u=7VgD9gAQ@mail.gmail.com>
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I have to jump in here and ask you to consider making the suggestion that they bring back the T-3 (vanagon) in some shape or form. Perhaps the manufacturing equipment is still available in South Africa.
The T-3 is an amazing design that obviously has stood the test of time. Obvious due to the loving efforts of enthusiasts who can see the value in the product and are committed to keeping them running despite the cost of aftermarkets parts and repairs.
For those who say, "the T-3 is just an ancient design", I reply that it only needs an updated power train to become relevant again. A T-3 with a modern gasoline or diesel engine could compete economically with any modern vehicle in its class. By "economically" I mean that it would be cheap to manufacture, and cost effect for the consumer. VW should be able to sell it in the mid-$20K range vs. the $50K plus range of the modern european T-6, while still meeting today's fuel efficiency standards.
Is "cab over wheels" an issue? Ask all the owners of all those Isuzu trucks running around.
Take a look at the C-130 aircraft. Initially introduced in the mid-1950's, the airframe is still going strong with updated engines and avionics. The design of the aircraft is key. There is nothing else that can do their intended mission as well. I say that the T-3 is the same. No other product can provide the utility for household and recreational use that can the T-3.
Suggest they bring back the T-3!
Cheers, Anthony
From: Mark Brush <mbrush@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Friday, January 9, 2015 11:34 AM
Subject: Asking VW about plans for a new microbus
Hey all -
My full-time job is crawling under my 1990 Westie trying to identify leaks.
My *other *job is reporting for a public radio station here in Michigan.
Every year I go to the Detroit Auto Show and try to come up with stories to
write/produce for the station.
I'm considering asking VW about their plans for a microbus at this year's
show and writing a little post about it online.
It seems like we've been hearing about a "new bus" every year for the last
15 years (I even recall a little Hot Wheel microbus being made).
Here's the last thing I read about their plans:
http://www.cartalk.com/blogs/jim-motavalli/five-reasons-vw-should-bring-back-bus
Does anyone on this list have a burning question about VW's plans that I
should ask? Anyone have any insights into what VW is planning here?
My guess is that a quality microbus would be expensive to build, and it
doesn't have the mass appeal they're looking for in the North American
market.
Any questions you want answered or any thoughts you want to share would be
much appreciated!
Best,
Mark
Mark Brush, Digital Editor
Michigan Radio <http://michiganradio.org/>
w (734) 647-3472
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