My son is looking for a car, and consequently I'm going along on a lot of
test rides.  One of the most disappointing was a Pontiac Sunbird
convertible, which looked like it could be fun.  It was powered by a four
banger and had an autotranny.  I think either of my Vanagons would pretty
much blow it away!

Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark & Kate Sheflo" <skjeflo@TELEBYTE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2000 10:14 AM
Subject: Re: air-cooled vanagon question

> Adam,
>         Acceleration?  In heavy air-cooled box with 67 HP?  Your kidding,
right?
> I consider it slow when I compare it to almost anything else on the road
> (except my in-laws diesel 7 passenger Vanagon, which would be a good
race).
> My personal points of comparison have been a Volvo 164E, a 88 Ford
Festiva,
> a 90 Mazda 323, a Volvo 850, a 97 Camry (4 cyl), a 88 Toyota pickup, and a
> few early 70's Opels.  ANY of these would blow the doors off the Westy in
a
> race to ANY speed.  Yes, even the Festiva, but not by too much!
>
> Seriously, I've seen 80mph on a slight downhill and can cruise at 70 on a
> level road if there is NO headwind.  Beyond that speed just ain't
happening.
>
> The way I look at it when driving the Westy is, it's not how fast you get
> there, it's the fun you have doing so and the fun you have when you there
> that counts.
>
> Mark
> 82 Westy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of
> Puzerewski
> Sent:   Sunday, October 01, 2000 4:33 AM
> To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject:        air-cooled vanagon question
>
> To the air-cooled drivers
>
> What is your top speed?  How is your acceleration in 1st through 3rd, and
> then 4th?  Slow?  Rapid?  Slow climb in 4th?
>
> I need something to compare my rebuild to.
>
>
> Adam Puzerewski
> 81 westy
> 74 beetle
> 86 cabrio
> Vanagon Partsmobiles
>