Date:         Sat, 11 Dec 2004 07:21:56 -0800
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: rare lapel pin on ebay
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

This is pure speculation on my part, but it occurs to me that the ban may be
for contemporary Nazi paraphernalia, not an outright ban- It would be
difficult to present and acknowledge an accurate accounting of history
without including the various symbols of the time in question. Imagine
trying to convey a full understanding the American Revolutionary or Civil
wars without including the flags of the times. In other words, perhaps the
ban is on things intended to promote, honor or glorify the Nazis, but
factual historical representations are allowed.

Which brings me, in a roundabout way, to something I was thinking about the
other day- there don't seem to be many, if any, Germans on this list- not to
mention South Africans, etc. You'd think there would be as many or more
Vanagons in some of these other places than there are left here... Are
Americans the only ones that have developed a fetish for these things?

'Speaking' of Vgons in other countries... Is it my early-morning pre-coffee
brain, or do I recall correctly that Vanagons are still in production
somewhere (S.A.?)? Legal hassles notwithstanding, it seems like it would be
cheaper and easier in the long run to try to import a new van than to try
(and try, and try) to resurrect one that's 20 years old and just getting
older (thinking 'green wires' here). Or is it just not possible..?

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "LOREN BUSCH" <labusch@VERIZON.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 11:26 PM
Subject: Re: rare lapel pin on ebay


>I find the design of the pin interesting, I've never seen one before
> (not a real VW buff, just a Westy driver).  What I find the most
> interesting is that reproductions are being sold at the VW museum.  The
> last I had heard it was against the law to manufacture or sell any item
> with the Swastika on it in Germany. (If I'm wrong on that, someone
> correct me).  But I wonder if they get around that because the symbol is
> only partially reproduced?  And that leads to a second question in my
> mind:  Would the original actually have been made with only part of the
> symbol showing?  If anyone has good, accurate history on this it would
> be interesting.