Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 02:04:05 EDT
Reply-To: CarlMarin@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: CarlMarin@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Resurrect the Vanagon? Letter Writing Campaign?
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
In a message dated 8/15/98 7:43:58 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
martywallace@rocketmail.com writes:
>
> I love my 1984 Westfalia, but I'd JUMP on the chance to buy a modernized
> 1999 model.
>
> I think that your point about Ford's decision regarding the Mustang is
> very appropriate; Should we all begin a letter writing campaign to VWoA?
> VWoA's Customer Relations phone number is 1-800-822-8987. I don't know
> the snail-mail address - maybe someone out there can help us out with this.
>
> Wistfully,
> Marty Wallace (1984 Westfalia, and lusting for a 1999 Beetle...)
> Chico, California
>
The thing to do is first decide what the "perfect" New Vanagon (Vanagon II?
Vanagon 2000? EuroVanagon?) would be. What would be the obvious updates?
Engine commonality with the current VW car line would be key to the concept.
Start with 2.0L 8V, throw in the turbo diesel and VR6 as options later. A
real Westfalia model is a must. (Tarrifs a problem? Set up a Westfalia
conversion plant in South Carolina)(Heck, why not build the whole thing in the
US? Works for BMW and the Z3 after all) (Vanagons built in America could
include single and double cab versions with no tarrif penalty of course,
imagine that! Just because their first attempt at American assembly plants,
that Rabbit plant in Pennsylvania, was a dud doesn't mean its not a workable
concept. They need to hitch up their pants, forget about their past failure
and try again)
The Syncro would be the prestige model that would sell the bottom feeders just
as the Mustang GT sells the crappy little four cylinder Mustangs to the almost
but not quite crowd. All Mustang owners bask in the glow of the magic name
regardless of trim level. Does anyone really puff up their chests and brag to
their neighbors that they have a VW "Eurovan?" Do kids in high school dream
of getting the keys to the family Eurovan, festooning the windshield with
peace sign decals and hitting the road with their friends? I rest my case.
Back to the concept. Update the dash for sure, make the blower motor
accessible without removing the whole dash (Please!) In fact, with some
clever engineering many of the Vanagon systems could be more modular and thus
more maintainable more in line with the current state of the art in automotive
design. Go for maximum common parts usage from the VW parts bin. Cheaper to
build and cheaper to own in the long run. The old split window buses had tons
of bug parts common. As a design philosophy, less if more. And the more less
the better. The classic designs are always very basic and simple. Simple
designs are designs that are accessible to the imagination of ordinary people.
Imagine that pod-ular looking dash from the New Beetle kind of enlarged and
sitting in front of you in the Vanagon. That would be very cool. Update
those horrible heater/vent controls so you can work them without looking in
the owners manual. Given the current state of the industry I guess we would
have to be happy with air bags squirting out of every crack in the cockpit.
Progress. I'd prefer a proper 4 point harness of course but granny never
could get the hang of strapping herself in.
I bet they could lay back those squared off lines on the front of the Vanagon
to update the look create some drooping oval shaped headlight modules, maybe
even work in a vestigial "V" shape incorporating the radiator grills giving a
strong styling hint of the original split window buses. (21 window Vanagon
complete with skylight portholes?) With some creativity I bet they could
transform the Rabbit like angular styling of the Vanagon to something a bit
rounder and more contemporary without losing the basic virtue of the clean
original Vanagon look. I think the earlier high ground clearance Vanagons
were a better ideal than the later low riders. Better ride and appeals to the
Armored Personnel Carrier sort of consumers who like feeling high and safe in
traffic. Battering ram grade bumpers would be a nice improvement over the tin
foil trim pieces VW used in place of real bumpers on the original Vanagon.
The key to a killer success with a new Vanagon of course comes down to price.
VW has shown itself to be way too greedy in recent decades. If they would be
willing to create real value in a new Vanagon starting at the same base price
as a base Chrysler minivan I think they could carve out a real slice of the
van market again. Of course maybe they prefer selling only 12 Eurovans a
year. Probably cuts down on corporate paperwork. Chrysler/Jeep is still
selling a mess of those Cherokees, angular and boxy, introduced back in 1980
or so if memory serves me.
Hmmm, VR6 Syncho Vanagon Westfalia. Lightweight composites used to make the
cabinets instead of particle board for a decent savings in weight. The
ultimate Sport Utility Vehicle? Think there would be a market?
What are some other obvious Vanagon improvements that would make it a killer
success? Better cupholders? ;^)
Someone at VW listening? Need a lead project engineer? Well, if you twist my
arm and pay me alot I guess I could do it for you ................
Carl Turner
