Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 06:36:37 -0500
Reply-To: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject: Re: Mexican bus blues.
You *might* be able to sorta squeeze a Mexibus in through the same loophole
the Bettlemex folks use. Here is how (I understand) it works.
Find a crappy bettle in the US. Let's call that crappy beetle "VIN 1234".
Ship VIN 1234 to Mex. In Mexico, Beetlemex strips VIN 1234 down to nothing,
litterally. They strip it to one little piece of frame. Then they take a
brand new Bettle, we will call "VIN 9999" rip it apart, and put ALL of the
parts on your little piece of frame. *Technically* what they ship back to
the US is a "restored" VIN 1234. And it costs less than $20k.
Now here are the reasons that you might find this VERY expensive to do this
on a Bulli. The Beetle is bolted together, and comes apart VERY easily. The
Bus is welded together, and likes very much to remain in one piece.
You *could* buy a reasonably good condition US bus, say a 1978, and buy
some of the Mexibus stuff from junk yard...spend a month living in Nogales
or Mexicali and get all the Mexistuff fitted on the 1978...Depending on the
state you live in, it might pass emissions if you used a USA Golf motor, as
the motor would be newer than the van, and certified for use in the
USA...That a lot of hassle to drive an ugly old van though. Why not just
but a nice new Explorer like the rest of your neighbors?
G. Matthew Bulley
Director
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Dunn [SMTP:AndrewD158@AOL.COM]
Sent: Friday, November 05, 1999 12:03 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Mexican bus blues.
Thanks for all of the responses reguarding the Mexican bus. I know its not
vangagon related, but its the recent purchase of the '89 gl that has
spawned
this VW fever of mine. I just think its sad that the attractive old style
body with a modern new motor(not a water leaker, my mistake) would be not
be
legal here in the US. Are there any suggestions out there, and is such a
vehicle convertible to US emmisions specs. Perhaps this is a question for
a
"breadloaf" list, but I figure there's still more insite from someone out
there.
Yours,
Andrew Dunn
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