Mitch,
If you have a Pep Boys close to you, they usually stock a VW antenna for
the vanagon, with the new stye piano wire type, springy antenna.
After losing two of the telescoping type at car washes, I decided to try
the other.
Works good, and is only $7.99.

Later,

  ______________
 |[  ] [  ] [ ]\
 |    |    |    |
||-(())----(())-|

Terry 85 GL