At 08:57 9/30/2000, Lawrence Johnson wrote:
>The best winter vehicle that I have owned is a Saab (pre GM). The pedal
>spacing is large enough for winter boots; the windshield defroster blasts
>on both front and back windows; the front wheel drive (they were almost
>the first) gave good snow traction; the seats had heater elements; 15"
>tires (big for the day); the seats gave lots of room for bulky winter
>clothing.

And unless they changed since my '71 Saab 96 (which had 17" wheels, btw,
sort of the backwards of the Vanagon) every inside control could be
operated with choppers' mitts on (leather mittens with wool mittens
inside).  The 1971 96 didn't have heated seats or a blower in the rear, but
I can't say it really needed them.  Over a winter in Passadumkeag ME it
started every morning in -20F, it started every morning in -30F, and it
started the one morning it was -40F.  Not plugged in, just sitting there
out in the yard.  It would also climb a tree in low gear, although it took
25+ seconds to 60mph.  These were the cars that when introduced into ice
racing in Maine, by popular demand a special class was made for them as
nobody could beat them (although front-wheel drive wasn't common in the
fifties; that may have been their only advantage there).

david
David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"