Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 11:36:05 -0400
Reply-To: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject: Re: "Bus" or "Vanagon" ? (f) (was: Yahoo club for
aircooledVanagons
Having driven all three ('60's, bays, and now a Vanagon) I totally agree
with Chris. We own a Vanagon, which is a VAN. It is nothing like our
previous Busses in handling, build, or personality.
As far as the type II designation, once again, Chris is absolutely correct.
The last of the type-II's came out in 1979. From my recollection of some
reading (book, not mail list), the Vanagon was designed to be a NEW
vehicle, and to have had a water-cooled engine from the first production.
Difficulties in finding a reliable engine configuration/cooling system
prevented the Vanagon from suffering from the water-cooled motor for more
than 3 years... ....at which point VW gave up trying to make a reliable
motor, and put the Wasser-boxer in the hole. :)
Yes, the 1980-1983.5 Vanagons are a different breed. Neither Bus nor
typical Vanagon. Like a Rabbit with a Bug motor in it. Quirky. Fast (at
least ours is). Dry.
G. Matthew Bulley
Director
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree
-----Original Message-----
From: JordanVw@AOL.COM [SMTP:JordanVw@AOL.COM]
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 1999 4:40 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: "Bus" or "Vanagon" ? (f) (was: Yahoo club for
aircooledVanagons
In a message dated 10/13/99 3:41:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Thomas.Forhan@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV writes:
<<
Nothing wrong with the Type II list, but a Vanagon is not a Type
II.
Also,
a Yahoo club is not a list at all -- nothing in your mailbox.
>>
with fire extinguishers unlocked, and aimed - (oh, btw, always carry one in
your bus - :<)
- here's my (very opinionated) .02....
All VW Buses are Type 2's. the type 2 ended in '79.
the classic type 2 rounded shaped split window Microbus was introduced in
1950, continued until '67, and then the Baywindow Bus from '68-'79.
1979 was the last year of the VW Bus, and the type 2 here in America.
When VW changed the body significantly in 1980, ditching the rounded
classic
"Bus" style, it was given an official name, for the first time in it's
life
- it was called ...the "Vanagon". (unless you lived in europe, or SA)
gone were the classic rounded bus looks, the old school charm.. the
"panache"
:<)... replaced by a squarish angular modern looking van.
when someone says "VW Bus" a older classic styled Splittie or baywindow
comes to mind. not a boxy modern looking Vanagon.
and if you dont believe me, try going up to a guy who drives a '79 down bus
as a daily driver, and telling him your '91 Vanagon Carat with power
windows
and cruise control is a "Bus"....he might just set you straight :<)
chris (who subscribes to the "old school" vw philosophy, and who has alot
of
respect for those who drive Buses daily- especially here in the northeast
during winter!)
|