>Questions for the list:
>
>What do you think when you see a Vanagon with scores of modifications, cut
>door panels, tack-on gauges, add-on doo-dads?  Would you buy it?
>
>What do you think when you see a bay-window or a split-window bus with a cut
>dash to fit that new CD player or a gigantic tachometer crammed into the
>dash?

Depends entirely on the quality of the work and parts fitted. I'd
have no qualms about buying if they were what I'd consider doing
myself, and to the discerning and sensible (no silly biases) some
modifications will certainly INCREASE the utility or enjoyment of the
vehicle (such as a well-done Subaru or Porsche transplant, a good
stereo system or a nice set of performance wheels/tires, grafting in
electric sunfoofs from a Japanese car, conversion to
dual-sliding-doors, conversion of hinged Split doors to sliding, both
the latter two being factory options).

If someone has butchered the wiring, cut sloppy holes in the dash,
glued "fur" headlinging in, screwed scoops to the engine-bay intakes,
cutting out windows in a Panelvan, then I'd have to take
rectification into account.

To fit a modern stereo headunit into the dash you'd have to cut the
metal, as the factory slot isn't quite big enough. Though in a Split
you could fit it in the slot between dash and tray.

To fit speakers you'd HAVE to cut the door panels (if you want them
there... my 84 Caravelle has no provision for door speakers, and
rather than cut the original tidy panels, I'd make panels and fit
them under the dash if possible).

My Caravelle will have heaps of modificatios when i get around to
working on it, but mostly they will be bolt-on ie revesible.
--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut