Chuck, you had the last and best year of the breed. The 50s and early
60s had some serious drawbacks. The pre 65 engines and trannys died
early and often and the 6 volt sickies plagued many of them. The early
brakes were marginal, the early reduction gear bearings too small, and
the list goes on. Still, I've owned and loved a few of them. My first
car was a 66 bus but once I tried a 69 there was no turning back.

Few of the remaining examples still have their original early parts
fitted. When was the last time you saw one with a running 36hp or heaven
help us an early 40hp? The split case crash box trannys are gone too and
who misses them?

Mark

Chuck Mathis wrote:
>
> Well, I guess since my '67 died of terminal rust after only 265,000 miles and two engines I can see how one would classify them as undependable.  I paid $750 cash for it and spent a whopping $300 on the second engine.
>
> Having my feet be just behind the front bumper tends to make me drive a little more conservatively -- except for the time I got it up to 90 (down hill, tail wind).
>
> Lets face it a '72 Dodge van is about butt ugly.
>
> Next time the cosmic/karmic forces align correctly (ie money and time) I will have a 23 window sunroof Deluxe.  In the mean time I have the '85 Westy.
>
> Chuck
> '85 Wolfsburg Westy -- 'Roland the Road Buffalo'
>