>Interesting thought (below).  I dropped by my VW dealer yesterday to pick up
>a couple of dash panel lights for my 85 and was explaining to the parts guy
>how much I loved my vanagon (Westy) and it was a shame VW didn't still
>manufacture them.  Then I mentioned that they were still being built in S.
>Africa.  The parts guy said that VW still made vanagons, but they had to be
>special ordered.  Anyone ever hear of this?

Yes, VW RSA still makes them. Price about $24600US for the range-topping
Caravelle. I think the Caravelles have the neat GTi-style dual-round-light
upper grill and stock full-width lower grill, while the Microbuses have
rectangular H4s (or is it the other way round...er...square...er...). I'm
told the side windows are deeper, though I must say the photos I've seen do
not seem to confirm this. Heater controls are rotary and apparently the
dashboard is different. Engine is Audi 2.6 five with 094 5-speed trans. No
Syncro. Supposedly production ceases next year, to be moved to (erk)
Brasil, though I have my doubts. All are RHD, and if I get rich I'll be
ordering one! A 2002 Caravelle, yes please!

Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand
fax 64 (3) 479-7527
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
www.goingplatinum.com/member/vw1
www.my-successcenter.com/member/vw1
www.aciimoney.com/index.shtml?vw1
VW & Toyota vans, Toyota diesels and Macintoshes rule