Not sure about doing over 80 in a vanagon. Have owned many souped-up
vehicles in the past and went way beyond that but I remember driving a bug
at about 85 MPH on route 6A on cape cod. spun out and headed at a bridge
abutment at 70+. Somehow managed to make it through and skid to a stop in
the bushes. VW Bug was supreme for cape cod driving as 0-45 in souped up
bug was untouchable. You need something large and American that grandpa
drives to sucessfully drive at large numbers here in the US. Souped up
slant 6 (cam, holly 390cfm 4bbl, offy manifold, headers, engle, B&B, car
lightened) in a metallic blue volare with white vinyl roof - Amherst, MA to
Cape Cod at an average speed of 80+ MPH (upper 90's low 100's on highway) -
no WAY grandpa could be going that fast - remember passing some sort of red
sports like car with aboout 30+ MPH closing speed on highway (most likely I
was doing about 95) and seeing the gumballs in the rear view mirror - red
car got pulled over! Motto on highway was "None Shall Pass." Remember
saying to friend that volare could do 100 - he laughed -Was on route 6 on
Cape Cod - between Dennis and Hyannis and when speedo hit needle peg at 100
and kept going he freaked out. Passing cars like signposts. Other car now
is a white Caddy Deville. Good for up to 120. Bit too mushy suspension to
stay at that speed for a while as fast manouvers to avoid other slugs might
result in problems. One thing quality America cars are good for is speed
for distance. Been in many BMW, etc. that started to get hot after
prolonged driving at 85+. Plus non large American stuff is cop fodder. Want
a fast car? Get something in white, blue or brown that's American. Want
tickets? Put a Grateful Dead or Phish bumper sticker on. That's the test -
if you have band stickers on then you fail the drug test . . . .
I'm content at cruising along a 55 or 60 in the vanagon camper as I want to
see what's going on out there. If all you want is speed what the heck are
you doing with a Volkswagen?