Date:         Fri, 10 Sep 1999 22:33:48 -0400
Reply-To:     "James R. Wetzel" <jrwetz@BELLATLANTIC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "James R. Wetzel" <jrwetz@BELLATLANTIC.NET>
Subject:      Re: Military Issue Vanagons
Comments: To: "Forhan, Thomas" <Thomas.Forhan@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

In 1989 while I was stationed in Germany, I was responsible for driving
generals around in a limo version Vanagon.  I believe it was an 84.  It
had a partition between the driver's area and the rear with a sliding
window and curtains so I didn't have to listen to their stories.  The
rear area had the typical Weekender fold up table and a bench seat that
faced rearward.  We also had a few cargo vans, but I could only carry
the captains in these.  (HaHa).

This was my first experience with the watercooled (Dad had a 73).  Boy
did the German versions have power.  Not like my 84 now.  Granted they
were slower than most German cars, but I remember getting up to
160km/h.  (No B.S.)

We actually had an accident in it on the Autobahn.  It was at night and
there was a wreck ahead of us.  I was not driving.  A civilian was
ejected from one of the cars and we ran over him.  Not fun.  Suprisingly
the van handled pretty well.  We were later informed that he was
probably dead before we hit him.  Morbid huh?

I was hooked on the Vanagon and spent 8 years after that looking for the
right one.  Most I found were basterdized.  Deadhead crap and custom
panel jobs etc.

The German civilians maintained the mechanics of the van.  We just added
gas.

Just thought I'd share.

Tchuss,
Jim W.