David Marshall wrote:
  No ground clearance issues, no
> smog issues if done right, no low slung exhaust systems, no funky cooling
> systems - just a simple, inexpensive, serviceable, reliable power plant that
> VW should have installed in there to begin with -
>

David, while in Whitehorse a few years ago, I ran into a couple from
Germany that were on their trip of a lifetime. They had flown into
Mexico City, bought a Mexican built VW van, and were traveling the
continent of North America. Whitehorse was the northern-most point on
their journey.

I looked at their van ...had a box of a radiator on the front, yet the
body was of the old air-cooled type circa 1979 and earlier. The man
showed me the engine...and I was blown away!!! A slanted inline water
pumping 4-banger was back there and because of it's small size it  was
lost in the vast space of the engine compartment. I think it was a Golf
engine ..VW brand anyway.

Your comment above reminded me ...."reliable power plant that VW should
have installed in there to begin with - "

They never had a moments problem with that engine. Made a good old van a
very serviceable vehicle. Newer engines are doing the same for the
Vanagons.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver