Equally interesting would be the weight factor attributable to the Vanagon
driver. That would be a contributing factor to the total weight. The more
power and comfort options wee available, the less work was required from the
operator. Same food intake, less work equals more poundage. Plus there's the
wider more comfortable seats. This encouraged driver's with above average
dimensions to "buy-in". Whereas they would ordinarily have settled for a big
Fort or Chewy (munch, munch).

VW tried to reduce this weight gain by refusing to redesign the entry for the
front seat passengers for all but the most agile. Unfortunately, they failed
to take into account the graciously wide portal called a sliding door.

BenT
on frightday