Date:         Sun, 12 May 1996 08:38:15 -0400
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         dworkin@ari.net (H Steven Dolan)
Subject:      VW bits & Engine for sale ('79 2L, FI)

I have, alas, "lost my lease" at my folks old garage.  They are selling it
and have asked me to clean it out.  Most of the parts can fit in my
basement, but there are two "items of value" I cannot move.  Thus I would
like to sell:

Bus related:
My "spare" engine.  It came from a '79 combi, it ran well for the 50 miles
from where I bought it to where I removed it, and the compression was good
then.  It has been in the garage for the last 4 years, unrun.  I was going
to throw it in a likely looking body, but that body went before I could get
to it.  The engine is complete from intake manifolds to heater boxes (no FI
gear, no muffler).  I am asking $600.00, but will listen to reason.

VW (but not bus) related:
My "Mexi-beetle".  One of the recurring themes in the vw.aircooled newsgroup
is "wouldn't it be neat to buy one of those spiffy, brand new Beetles they
are still making in Mexico and bring it back?"  The instant response is, of
course, that after you modify it to meet current US safety and emissions
standards, you would wind up with a $50,000 Beetle.  Well, quite a while
back, I had this great *Idea*.  I asked the VA DMV, "What *precisely* is a
car?"  The answer is that the frame is the car, however modified.  Well, one
day I was bopping down this back country road near where I live and I saw
the burnt out hulk of a bug sitting by the side of the road.  Passed it for
three days running, and then saw a police officer tucking a ticket on the
front hood.  A short discussion later and the officer and I went to a pay
phone.  The officer called the registered owner and told him his choices
were basically to tow it now, with a $75 ticket or deal with me, and I would
pay the ticket.  A short discussion later, I owned the burnt hulk of a '59
beetle.  The body was toasted to the point that the roof had melted, but
after removing the body, the floor pan was quite solid. 

I have the pan, front axle, tranny, rear axles, and the (partially melted)
engine.  But most importantly, I have the title!  My long range plan was to
load the pan in my bus, drive down to Mexico, buy a new Beetle, and perform
the most massive (and quickest) restoration you have ever seen.  Per the VA
DMV this would now legally be a legal '59, and exempt from all safety and
emissions requirements.
Asking price for the floor pan and title is $300.00

Anyone interested?

                           Steven Dolan
                           Alexandrian, VA

'73 FI'ed Westy