>I've also heard that you're
>not supposed to bump start vanagons in reverse. Has anyone else heard this??
>What difference could it make??

I can think of two things:

1) you should push start any car in a high gear to prevent locking up the rear wheels.  (I once saw four guys plastered into the back of a 'loaf bus when push starting in 1st.

2) Reverse increases you chances of hitting something

Bill