If you are talking about the "Muppet" airscoops, I think they are a design
carry over from the ole aircooled days.  I could be wrong about this but it
seems to me that besides sitting there and looking pretty these vents let in
alot of  rainwater.  Giving a better ground for the 1.9 wbx ECU brain, which
is up to it's toes in water, might be a small positive benefit (and I am not
even sure about that).  This happens to be one of the design features that I
really like about the Vanagon design, even if it serves no real purpose,
anymore.   But I would like to have the option of securing the opening
against letting in rainwater.  I am thinking that I might be able to make
some sort of form to make a molded plastic cover that could be applied in
wet weather.  Any other possible solutions,  I'd love to hear them.

Cheers,

Dave Gunning