I remember my brother's company in Germany had a Turbo Diesel Vanagon and
we drove the heck out of it on the Autobahn. 165 km/h- with six passengers
-was the top speed. I think the engine had to be replaced at 60 000km. I've
taken my Westy I4 up to 100mph here in the States on the straight, fully
loaded. Sometimes I just forget that I am no longer driving on the Autobahn.
The cops don't seem to care, because no vanagon can go that fast
anyway,right!!???

Cheers,
Hermann

-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart MacMillan
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: 9/7/00 3:18 PM
Subject: Re: Conversions and common sense observations

Well, maybe slightly down hill, but as long as you don't have Firestone
tires brief periods of 85-90 mph on a straight, flat section of
interstate highway are possible, safe, and even legal (only when
overtaking another vehicle).  Honest, I've done it, but I also don't
have A/C or power steering sucking any power off.  Don't try to corner
at those speeds though!

I'll bet dollars to donuts you are in the congested eastern part of the
US where 65 mph driving is almost unheard of! ;-) Try driving in So. Cal
on a highway like I-40 from Barstow to Needles at anything less than
80.  Even then the caravans of semis will pass you going so fast they
almost suck your doors off!

Karl Mullendore wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> >Passing at 90 on
> > a level, straight section of interstate is easy.
>
> HUH? Common sense, you say? C'mon Stuart, grow up! ANYONE driving that
fast
> in a Vanagon on US roads should be locked up. There is NO excuse for
ANYONE
> to be driving at those speeds. 'Course the 2.1 won't pass anyone that
fast
> anyway, unless the nose is pointed downhill or it suddenly becomes
more
> aerodynamic. Unless you mean 90 kph!
>
> Karl
--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Driven since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring)

Assisting on Restoration:
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Parts cars:
'68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT