Date:         Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:36:50 -0700
Reply-To:     Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: 70's automatic Vanagons?
In-Reply-To:  <699b6e3f0709131120k15f1273ata3bd873b165e561f@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

The vanagon did not exist in the U.S. until 1980.
I don't know about other countries but I think they
came into being pretty much everywhere starting in
1980.  Before that was the rounder air-cooled bread-
loaf looking Type II bus most associated to being
called the hippy bus.  They came with a 2 speed
automatic that is kind of a dog at getting up to
speed.  Considering your driving condition in your
location, I'd try to stay with a later vanagon with
an automatic unless you wish to deal with the
mechanical issues on an older vehicle.   I know that
that would not be too bad of an option in your area
as LA is probably has more aircooled mechanics per
capita than anywhere else I can think of.  But the
cost to maintain is climbing...  Unless you plan
to take care of it yourself.  Then I would say
go for it...

Steven
'90 Westy (which I'd like to convert to an automatic
with TDI as well).....
--- PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> I really like my 90 Westy, although I haven't tried
> out any of the
> electrical or propane camping stuff, yet.  In the
> back of my mind, I would
> really like to have a 70's Vanagon, or a weekender
> bus or camper - I don't
> exactly know what I want...but the MAIN thing that I
> would HAVE to have
> would be an automatic transmission.  Although I am
> able to drive a manual, I
> hate doing so.  I live in Los Angeles, and the last
> time I tried driving a
> manual Westy (about 6 months ago) I felt like I was
> trying to dance with
> both legs and arms flailing about!  So I am
> wondering if there is such a
> thing as an older vanagon with an AT.  I don't care
> about AC or power
> windows in an older VW, although I wouldn't have a
> 90 Westy without these
> features.  I would use the 90 for daily driving and
> camping (eventually) and
> the older one for transporting more people than my
> 90 Westy can handle, and
> light hauling.  Is there such a thing as a 70's
> automatic Vanagon? I haven't
> seen one advertised in about a year of looking at
> bus ads.
> Patti
> 90 Westy automatic
> April 14, 2007
>



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