I had a 71 - mechanics always told me that a 71 would be about the cheapest
loaf to maintain, and it had the plus of disc brakes - which 69 and 70 did
not (these were also said to cheap to maintain) - And yeah the 78 is a good
year to have, the 79 too, but some tell me the 78 would be preferential to
the 78 because of increased smog requirements that were being phased in.

I bought the 71 with crack in the case and drove it all over the place -
even up that long grade up from Ventura to Thousand Oaks - smog was burning
out the back end.... mostly I stayed off the freeway - and I had to stop a
lot to fill it with oil - which I did parked on top of that grade on the
side of the freeway. I drove it until it finally gave up its ghost.

>From: Patrick Bryson <patrickb@extremezone.com>

>
>Dude!
>The only car for you is a '71 type 2.  This is the last year for the type 1
>engine and the first year for disk brakes.  These all came with dual port
>engines but may now have single port.  Single is somewhat more desirable
>since you don't get cracking on the heads but Dual port has a little more
>oomph.  the key is to get one the has the correct Dog House oil cooler.
>Engine must be very stock.  009 distributor and exhaust are ok.  But other
>go fast stuff is asking for an engine to cook itself.
>
>Either a Westfalia pop top or Westfalia non pop camper will do for you.
>The
>non pops are not too common but are ok.
>
>If you go for a newer loaf, get a 2 liter not a 1.7 or 1.8.  I am a firm
>believer in fuel injection and would advise you to avoid one that had the
>injection removed.  I'm also partial to hydraulic valves because I'm lazy
>and that means '78 or '79.
>
>Still I think you want (need) is a '71.  Very easy to maintain. And cheap.
>You don't need speed.
>
>Full of opinions,
>Patrick
>'85 Westy
>prior vans include
>'71 Westy
>'71 Deluxe Wagon
>'76 Insurance reclaim (tres ugly)
>'78 Westy
>'66 Low rider
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Flat Four <aircooledvw77t1@engineer.com>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2000 7:29 PM
>Subject: Transporter
>
>
> > Hi Listers!  :^)  I'm 16/m/CA and i'll be needing a used aircooled VW
> > for my first car.  (used for obvious reasons and not the mexi/beetles)
> > I want a Transporter but I am not sure what year or Generation
> > Transporter is right for me.  I like the Loaf but the Vanagon has a
> > lot more to offer.  What year Vanagons were aircooled?  I would like a
> > Westy since I plan on doing a lot of travel in the future.  I will be
> > doing all the repairs with my own two hands and so i'd like something
> > easy to work on.  A lot of freeway driving so it should be able to
> > make 70 (doesn't have to in windy conditions)  I'd like something that
> > has the most parts availability.  Would the Loaf be easier to work on
> > than the Wedge?  I don't want the antique split because the visor
> > above the two windshields makes a loud houling noise.
> > I'll be driving it all through high school&college and probably keep
> > it till the day I die.
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________
> > FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com
> > Sign up at http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup
> >

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