Speaking from experience, the Vanagon will take a good lick to the front. My wife has the unfortunate experience of having a new Acura Integra turn immediately in front of her while driving our '86 Syncro Westy. The police officer estimated her speed at 35mph when she t-boned the Acura. There is a basketball-sized dent in the nose just under the driver's side headlight, the bumper and lower grille were tweaked, and that is about it....

Bottom line: She was bruised from the seatbelt, and the Syncro drove on home, the Acura (or what was left of it - one wheel and spindle completely separated from the vehicle, both airbags deployed, and no front sheetmetal unscathed) was hauled away on a roll-back.

I'll take the Vanagon any day! Unfortunately, the headgasket on the passenger side  let go two days later..... but I will save that story for another day!

Adam Brooks
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'59 Euro Type 1
'57 Euro Type 2
'86 Westy Syncro (now wrecked and leaking)
www.mindspring.com/~adambrooks/buspage.htm
(in bad need of update!)