Dear List,

I have been long silent, but not inactive on the 1983.5 V'gon. In fact,
since last I wrote I have 

-- had the entire front end beautifully rebuilt, 
-- new shocks installed 
-- added an excellent trailer hitch from Dennis Haynes 
-- and finally solved the rough-running problems with a new wiring harness
and ECU. 

I switched to Mobil 1 synthetic oil and recently got 25 MPG on a trip from
MA to NJ and back. Next week I take my kids from Maine to Cape May, NJ and
thence by ferry to Lewes, DE for a family reunion.

On the esthetic front I have put a second-hand but freshly shampooed OE
carpet in the front with JC Whtiney sisal mats on top of that,and I have
had the seats reupholstered, using a tough wool tweed fabric I found at an
outlet. Finally, for the first time ever, a couple of weeks ago I waxed her
to a fare the well, using Zymol. Never in her 230K+ miles has she looked,
felt or run better.

Now I am looking into getting Haakapellitas for winter.

My question: Has anyone had any experience with the convex right hand side
mirror available through Sewfine? They sell one for $99. West Coast metric
says its a dealer item and costs $159. Camelback says they are not listed
in their fiches. Any advice would be appreciated.

Pls reply to my personal address, as I am not yet back on the list. 

Many thanks,

Woody
83.5 V'gon
64 restored Beetle still for sale