Date:         Mon, 22 Apr 1996 12:05:49 -0400
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         dworkin@ari.net (H Steven Dolan)
Subject:      '73 Westy Questions

Well, I am getting closer to the road.  The engine is, as I stated
previously, in and running.  The shift linkage was still giving me trouble
and I discovered a bad wheel bearing (driver's rear), so I handed the whole
thing over to my auto mechanic.  I spent Sunday the removing the remains of
4-6 radio wiring harnesses (kind of like doing a Windows 3.x uninstall by
hand), and bringing the wiring harness into recognizable congruence with the
Bentleys manual. Ended up with a running car and a full set of lights, so I
guess I did OK.  

As I explore the Westy accesories, I am in a continual process of discovery.
Found the switch for the light over the drop table (on the dashboard??????),
but am still mystified about a couple of things.  For all you '73 Westy
owners out there:

How do you fold the front seats?  I have this canvas thingummy with apparent
clips on the windshield pillars and the pillars behind the front seats ("B"
pillars?), but the only way to get it in would involve folding or removing
the front seats.  While I have removed the driver's seat, I was unable to
find a latch to fold it and am dead flat unable even to remove the passenger
seat.  Any hints? 

What was the floor covered with originally?  Given today's posts, I am
pretty sure it wasn't parquet, but I am also pretty sure it wasn't B/C
exterior plywood either.

Was there originally a holding tank under the sink drain? Or was it designed
to make a mud puddle outside the side door?  (how very early-'70's on the
environmental front) Inquiring minds want to know!

Given that the exterior is a brilliant international orange, any guesses on
the original upholstery and/or curtain colour?

Speaking of upholstery, the rear bed in this beast consists of the seat
bottom and back, a rectangular foam pad in the back of most of the engine
shelf, and a long thin clipped rectange that covers the spare tire well.
Does this even vaguely resemble the original configuration?

Was a stove or refrigerator an option in this year?

                               Thanks,
                               Steve Dolan