Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (November 1996)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:   28 Nov 96 17:22:42 EST
Sender:   Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:   "Turner,Ronald L." <102660.66@CompuServe.COM>
Subject:   Copy of: Bench seats for the front

---------- Forwarded Message ----------

>From: Turner,Ronald L., 102660,66 TO: Rob Wilke, INTERNET:robwilke@theglobal.net DATE: 11/28/96 5:54 PM

RE: Copy of: Bench seats for the front

They're VERY hard to find, if you can find them used. Most U.S. import Vanagons were 7 passenger models.

The Vanagons or "Transporters" (kombi's) as they are called over there that you saw were "neunsitzer Transporters" or nine passenger Vans. I don't think the Caravelle was offered as a 9 pass. since they usually were more of the upscale models, but then again I could be wrong (it can happen :<) In addition to the split front bench seat (the drivers seat is still seperate) they are "non-walkthru's" meaning there is a metal bulkhead half wall divider between the cab, and the cargo area. If you want to get into the back of the van and reprimand the kids without getting out, you have to scramble over the wall. (kids love it, saves 'em from whoopin's! ) This was more of a popular feature in the '50's and '60's buses. I have an '83.5 nine passenger sunroof model myself. Kind of a rare model for a U.S. imported waterboxer vanagon. The middle seat in the 9 passenger was a full length bench, with fold down edge closest to the sliding door for access to the back seat.

Believe it or not, there was also a 12 pass. model called the "12 seat minibus" and bore the "BUS" logo on the rear hatch. So, yes, VW did oficially call the Vanagon a "BUS" in some countries.(Britian & South Africa and some others) The 12 pass. was exempt from the "car tax" in Britian, the country from which I have the dealer brochure that shows this model.

Anybody out there have a 12 pass. Vanagon?

chris


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.