> Any decent competent general mechanic will be able to work on a converted
> car.

The problem is that truly competent Vanagon mechanics are few and far
between. And some of them are unwilling to work on conversions. That reduces
the already slim options for who will work on your van. If you have a local
mechanic that will work on your converison that's great.... but consider the
the guy may move or go out of business one day... and if you travel to
remote places the options are even fewer. The way I think of conversions is
that due to the reduced service options, conversions may be more appropriate
for those who can do the service work themselves and/or those who don't
expect to be traveling far from their local mechanic that works on
conversion.

>If you don't like all-makes garages,

I'd have to be hard pressed to take my Vanagon to anyone who did not work on
them all the time.... not a good idea.

> take it to a GOOD VW outfit for
> nonengine-related work, and for engine work take it to a GOOD outfit that
> deals with that make of engine.

Some of these guys won't work on converions either....

>For modified electrics, take it to an
> outfit specializing in multimake electrics.

Still not the best idea... much better to take to someone that specializes
in your vehicle/engine.

>Then again, if you live in a
> city of decent size there should be outfits who work on modified vehicles
> anyway. With luck they'll be competent.

And what if you have a problem while traveling to remote places?

> If a mewchanic refused to work on my hybrid because it's a hybrid, he's
> admitting incompetence,

Not really.... I know one of the best Vanagon & Syncro mechanics... VW
authorized service center... he specifically stated he won't touch a
converion... the incompetence  he's concerned with is that of the conversion
installer... doesn't want to deal with someone else's screw ups.

Bill