Well a club member of mine has = done this to his 85 Vanagon. I was soooo jealous I wanted one, but we haven't got = around to it yet. Here is what he did.

He had put = small piece of wood(2/4 size) on each size and drilled them into the body. then he = measured the back and cut some wood to make a platform. He did through place hinges = in the middle, then placed carpet on top. Looks great! You can't see whats = undernanth unless you have the back open. The only thing about his is, for those of = us with A/C that goes the length of the van, you would have to cut it to go = around .

He has also went to Home = Depot and got a 10 * 20 size carpet(it was already precut) and placed it into the = center. He had taken out his middle seat, so it fit right in, of course I am sure = some cutting had to be done. It looked REAL good and less expensive then = getting the orginial carpet ordered. WEll of course I went home that next week adn = tried to find this carpet and but some for mine. Well of course they didn't = have my color! So I went to a WEST Lumber store and they had carpet remenants in = the back and got some blue for about $3.50 a yard. I took out my padding and = cut the carpet to the length of those.(I already had the old carpet out! Its = been out for two years, since when we purchased the van, = the couple had 7 children adn the carpet pretty much was trashed!) I placed in my Van = this past week and looks GREAT! Made a whole lot of difference in the appaerance = of the Van. I did though leave a place for the rails for my center seat, but = placed a throw rug over it.

Well when we get around to = doing this, I'll try to remember to take some pics and place the process on our club = site for the rest of yall.

Later from = South Georgia,

Kathy and Lonnie Jacobs

----- Original Message -----

From: Riley = Kettner

Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 = 3:01 AM

Subject: Retractable luggage = cover

Has anyone ever tried to create a retractable = cover for goods in the back of a vanagon/wesfalia?

I am refering to something that would attach = to the back door and could be pulled to hooks in the back of the = seats.

And could just as easily retract = back.

Basically putting a vertical windowshade = into a horizontal postition would do the trick.

I have a blanket right now that i throw over = my area, but i was wondering if anyone has developed a more

permanent solution like i had thought = of.

IT WOULD BE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT A CONVERTIBLE = USES TO HIDE THE FOLDED DOWN ROOF.

This would be something to prevent curious = people from looking at your stuff.