Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1999 17:05:18 -0400
Reply-To: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject: Re: :( Matt's Schwimmwagen Westy, update ( LONG )
Matt-
One of the best things you could do RIGHT NOW to salvage the interior would
be to get it DRY ASAP. All of the cabinetry and upholstery will be
worthless if they stay moist for long. Make sure you empty that leaky
propane tank THEN:
If you or a family member has a dehumidifier, put it in the Westy with all
the windows closed, and put it on HIGH. Drain it frequently.
If you don't have a dehumidifier, a small electric space heater would do,
but open the front windows about 1/2", and leave it on high. Save what you
can....
G. Matthew Bulley
Director
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree
-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Brickell [SMTP:bricknord@WEBTV.NET]
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 1999 3:31 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: :( Matt's Schwimmwagen Westy, update ( LONG )
Well, folks, thanks a lot for the many sympathetic messages I have
received regarding my Westy that rolled into the pond. Now that it is
daylight and the insurance adjustor ( Farmers ) has been out here is the
update is anyone is interested:
The left front tire is flat and the rim bent. Plenty of muck in the
front suspension but no obvious structural damage. ( See next )
The gas tank is crushed, seems that it absorbed a lot of the impact on
racks going in. The two straps are severed and hanging down but the
tank has not fallen. Good for it, it was leaking anyway :)
I heard a hissing sound for a few hours after it was brought on shore.
Probably a propane line leak I am guessing. This must have occurred
bringing it back out over the rocks because it was not bubbling while in
the water.
All interior wet up to about the door handles. The dash went under
while towing it out so the electrical gizmos are soaked.
The adjustor said Farmers does not rely on book value ( good ). They
look at local and regional classifieds, try to find them on dealer lots,
and research the internet to get a good average which he said is usually
better than book retail especially on this type of vehicle. I had
printed off about 8 ads I found on the web in the $6500-8500 range for
equivalent vans. He was eager to get those from me as he said he would
have a hard time getting good info himself on a Westy out here. I think
this will work in my favor, as he said all he needs is documentation to
justify to the company his settlement amount. Of course, all the
$2500-4000 vans I saw mysteriously did not get printed and given to him
:).
The rear bumper is bent to hell from the extraction process and the
sheetmetal under it slightly bent out but no biggie at all.
I probably will not have time to mess with the restoration myself. This
is probably a shame since the right person could probably do a hell of a
job on it and it would be tip top again. I inquired about purchasing
the salvage and he said he will let me know tomorrow the settlement and
the amount for that if I want to do it. I will probably let it go to
the yard ( it will be the best looking car in the salvage lot for
certain ) due to no time to mess with all this. I would consider keeping
it and selling the entire van complete to a list member in the interest
of it going to a good home but only if someone was really interested.
The right person would have a soggy but hardly ever used fridge stove
all cabinets 100% the upholstery damp but virtually unworn, engine and
tranny running fine before, all glass perfect, top great with perfect
canvas, no body damage other than one minor dent in side almost
unnoticeable and the aforementioned rear valance/bumper. Who knows
underneath but looks a lot better than I though last night. If you
stood a couple of car lengths away you would probably never know
anyhting happened except for the flat tire. If someone wants it and has
a way to trailer it from Kansas City in the next couple of weeks ( I
know I live in the middle of nowhere sorry ) let me know and I will
consider offers. I need to make the decision in about 24 hours. Thanks
again for all the support.
Matt Brickell :(
83 Jetta TD
86 Jetta D
84 Westy gas 1.9 Auto A/C White/Brown interior 122,000 miles heads
redone at around 90K no coolant leaks evident to me ran straight as an
arrow at 75 mph all day previously. Known locally as "The Floating
Box". Now forlornly sitting next to the Jettas drying out awaiting its
fate.
Olathe, KS
