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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
Comments: To: "JordanVw@AOL.COM" <JordanVw@AOL.COM>

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!)


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