At 12:48 PM 5/22/98, Bowie, Mark wrote:
>Michael, >Saw your pictures on the web - you have created my dream van! >I have a few questions though - How much do you figure you've put into it? >I'm expecially interested in what the doors and paint cost you. Do you have >a cost breakdown? > >VERY impressive work. >Mark Bowie
Do you REALLY want to know? Hmmm...Let's see:
$12,000 original price from previous owner $600 MA sale tax $2,100 Bullbar bumpers/foglights from Germany (incl. shipping/customs) $1,000 Chrome wheels from Germany (incl. shipping/customs) $500 five BFG tires mounted & balanced $1,000 amplifier/front speakers/wiring/relays/optima battery $500 doors w/ power mirrors/locks/windows (from junkyard) $1,000 misc. interior/exterior stuff (from junkyard) $7,500 paint/body work $1,500 new rubber/seals/labels/vents/mudflaps/insignia for exterior $300 plugs/wires/rotor/dist cap/synth oil/filters/temp sender/rad resistor $350 rear-facing seat (yes, I got ripped-off) _______ $28,250 TOTAL (approx. actually closer to $29k)
Still to do:
- Refrigerator replacement for RM182 (will post with my final choice) - Awning (thinking Fiamma F45) - Flourescent ThinLite (the junkyard one I bought from a 91 Westy is bogus) - 12v interior 2-speed swivel fan - 6-horn array of stock VW Vanagon horns w/ relay & harness (nice und LOUD, but authentic sounding) - Euro H4 high beams w/ relay & harness - Air conditioning conversion to either FR12 or R134 - CD player/receiver/rear speakers (next year) - TDI engine (next year) - Vented disk brakes (next year) - CB radio (next year) - Solar Panel (next year) - 110V inverter (next year)
So you ask, why would someone "invest" nearly $40k into a vehicle that only has a book value of $12k? Two possible reasons (take yer pick):
- A fool and his money are soon parted - It is the only "stock" vehicle ever created that does ALL of the following: a. camping for 4 b. 4-wheel drive c. can serve as a daily driver d. a person can stand up in
Cheers,
<bold>Michael J. Sullivan </bold><italic>Director of Catalog Design Open Market, Inc. </italic> '87 GL Syncro Westfalia ******************************************** work: http://www.openmarket.com vanagon: http://www.hsdesign.com/vanagon scan tips: http://www.hsdesign.com/scanning ******************************************** |
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