Date:         Mon, 16 Aug 1999 13:47:14 -0400
Reply-To:     Bob Busick <rbusick@DUTKOGROUP.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Busick <rbusick@DUTKOGROUP.COM>
Subject:      First Jump Into Water (water cooled VDubs that is)!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Although I swore that I'd never do it (you probably know the
type...."only real ....air-cooled... Vdubs for me."), I bought a water
cooled vanagon   And, frankly, the water feels fine!

Three weeks ago I bought an 83 Diesel Westy not really intending to keep
it but now I love it.  I've been lurking about in virtual vanagonland
lately and I see that the lack of pickup with these babies is legendary.
However, with the 5 speed tranny I've found that cruising on the open
road at 65 - 70 mph is not only doable but is also very comfortable.
I've been averaging 34-35 mpg on the open road and  30 mpg in the city.
Does that seem about right for the rest of you diesel owners out there?
Regardless, that sure beats the heck out of the 17-20 mpg I've been
getting with my '79!

I do have a question for the list tent expert(s) ......  this 83 came
with a very cool tent that I hope you can ID for me.  It's made out of a
canvas type material.  The awning is sort of a tan color and the three
side panels are brown.  The main (front) panel has a large plastic
picture window in it.  All three side panels clip onto the tubular frame
with plastic c-shaped clips.  The panel bottoms also have rubber loops
(used, I guess, to stake the sides down).  The tube frame is
freestanding (in that you don't need any guy lines to hold it up).  The
tent was apparently never used as it is like new.  It's similar in style
to some of the Reimo tents that Steve L. sells but it's not made out of
the newer tent materials.  Any ideas???

Last question:  Are there any special westy diesel sites out there?

Glad to be on the list.  I've always enjoyed the Type2 list and you
volks seem to have the same spirit.

Bob

'69 westy
'79 westy (for sale if Sean B. doesn't buy it)
"83 westy diesel