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Date:         Mon, 21 Nov 1994 15:44:17 -0800
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         wabbott@townshend.Corp.Megatest.COM (William Abbott)
Subject:      It wasn't The One[tm]?

Well, I saw it this weekend and the decision was, "No." It was freshly painted and looked like compentently rust-repaired. It was a 63 crew cab, with a rebuilt engine. It was in regular use by the owners, charming people. However,

The heaters weren't hooked up, some pieces missing The turn signals didn't work, probably the stalk switch ($$$) The brake lights didn't work reliably The void under the bed was full of water because the wooden slat attachments (rivets) hadn't been replaced, and so the holes were just open. 1/4" inch of standing water on the rear passenger compartment floor from same cause Original windows had been replaced with Safaris, which leak No metal cover under the pedals, master cylender, etc, up front. Visible rust damage under the new paint where the battery goes One bolt missing from reduction box on passenger side. Underside paint all original- with surface rust in many places. Hard to start Bottom of engine black with leaking oil, little drips on bolt-heads. Bottom of tranny brown with leaking oil, little drips on bolt-heads. Various small bits were shot or missing- air-cleaner boot, engine cover hold-up spring or whatever it is, license plate lamp cover. Bed slats were warped and aging from water exposture- they're still raw wood, not finished.

In short, not what I consider a $4900 restoration.

Steering seemed solid, it drove ok up to freeway speed, it stopped reasonably well. But for a guy with a full time job, the deep electrical needs (dome light didn't work either), lack of heater and water problems in the back seat foot area and the void under the bed were too much. At half the price, I would have bought it anyway, but for the full $$$, well, I'd have to spend about $2K for parts and labor to have the obvious problems taken care of. If I tried to do it myself, I might still be at it in 1996!

It was white originally, and they've painted it an authentic VW dark grey, one of my favorite colors, actually, with a beautiful interior re-do in matching grey vinyl and light grey piping. Someone with time on their hands or who doesn't want to use it regularly could be well-rewarded by checking it out. I'll post the phone number if anyone wants it.

So go ahead, tell me I blew it. I have to belive that $5K, even $4K, buys a better crew-cab transporter.

Sigh. Bill


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