interesting tidbits on the history of Westfalia-Werke GMBH

Subj:   Re: History of Westfalia    
Date:   2/5/02 1:12:35 PM Eastern Standard Time 
From:� � azsun99@earthlink.net (Gerald Masar)
Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:azsun99@earthlink.net">azsun99@earthlink.net</A> (Gerald Masar)
To:� � JordanVw@AOL.COM
    
    

Gerald Masar (azsun99@earthlink.net) wrote:

VW used to (maybe still does) have a little free magazine on the parts 
counter called
"Parts & Advice". Several years ago it had a 3-part series on the history of 
Westfalia
(also did a 3-part series on the history of the Beetle). I have the series 
and some
items of interest are that Westfalia-werke is over 150 years old . Started as 
a
blacksmith shop and then made farm carts out of a particularly rugged oak 
found in the
area - now known as Westfalian oak.
Franz Knoebel, Jr., a descendant of the company's founder, patented the 
ball-headed
trailer hitch in the U.S. in 1939.
The link between VW and Westfalia began in 1950.
There's lots more.

Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: <JordanVw@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2002 10:00 AM
Subject: Westys for all Marques.. was: Re: Canvas Tent on ebay

>
> FWIW, Westfalia-Werke GMBH� made camper conversions for all kinds of
> vehicles.�� i've seen Ford vans with Westfalia conversions, Mercedes vans
> with Westy conversions, etc..� �� Westfalia-Werke also makes trailer hitches
> and trailers... kind of like the "U-Haul of Europe"
> chris