Date:         Sun, 31 Oct 1999 16:55:19 -0500
Reply-To:     John Benditt <JBenditt@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Benditt <JBenditt@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Re: Have tire question, also working on a amphibious Vanagon!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi everyone!

The comments from are Afred Bagdan, proves his imaginary mentality! His
way out fantasy land concepts, based on a loony toon imaginings. I
wonder if he watches allot of cartoons! I'm sure he is ready for
Halloween tonight!


I actually do drive an amphibious vehicle.  Will be designing and
building an amphibious ad-on kit  on a modern SUV vehicle.  Buying the
Vanagon Sycro for this purpose was a mistake. Even though it would have
made an excellent amphibious vehicle. If I do design and build a rack
system holding pontoons and drive system it will have to be designed and
built for the  most common Sport Utility Vehicles of today.

I guess I'll be putting my 87 Vanagon up for sale soon and cash in on
it's value!

Sincerely

John


Alfred Bagdan wrote:

> It must be Halloween
>
> How about suping the van up with big wheels and all, and
> entering it in the Monster Truck Circuit.
> Also, mount a couple of jet engines and enter drag races in
> the  Funny Van category.
> Put wings on it and a couple of booster tanks, and go to
> outer space, the Moon, and even Mars.  Make sure to take
> plenty of food and lighting instructions for the fridge.
> That would make you an Astronaut.
> Don't tell NASA about this.
>
> Have a nice day
>
> Alfred Bagdan
> 85 Vanagon
>
> ----- Original Message ----- >
> > One comment on my Syncro. What a weird vehicle! Only the
> Germans can
> > design such
> > a weird vehicle and sustain a high level of quality!
> >
> > Also what is the biggest off road tires that can be
> installed on the 14"
> > rims?
> >
> > I bought the Vanagon to make it amphibious as a catamaran
> using pontoons
> > that
> > store on the roof and ride a track coming down the sides.
> When one goes
> > onto the
> > water the vehicle would sit low in the water and then the
> winch driven
> > tracked
> > pontoons assembly would lift the vehicle totally out of
> the water. There
> > are
> > milestones to accomplish like making the pontoons light
> enough so the
> > vehicle
> > does not become too top heavy. That's a trick!. 300 lbs
> per pontoon is
> > acceptable. so there will be 600 lbs on an aluminum track
> assembly
> > encircling
> > the van. I wanted to put in a 3.6 Ford V6 engine with
> aluminum head and
> > manifolds to get 200+ hp in the Vanagon so I can ski
> behind it on the
> > water.
> > Also was considering super charging the watervoxer engine
> with a blower
> > to get
> > 150 hp.
> >
> > I would sincerely like to thank everyone who responds,  in
> advance!
> >
> >
> >
> > John