David it looks REALLY nice. My comments:

- Finish: I would personally go with bare metal, which I
would then POR15 and then paint over to protect from sun.

- Top Piece: Top with a silver (or MAYBE black) diamond plate.

- Step: Yes I would like to see it wider to use as a step,
you also may want to carve the pipe out a bit to get the step
height lower while still retaining the tube look. A lot of
SUV's do this

Thanks,
Chris

---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2002 23:16:04 -0700
>From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
>Subject: Opinions wanted! - Vanagon Side Bar prototype
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>Please take a look at
http://www.fastforward.ca/prototypesidebar.jpg and
>tell me what you think.
>
>This is a photo of our prototype Vanagon side bar that we
will be putting
>into production by the end of the month.
>
>They will all me made of 6061 T6 aluminium alloy with
mandrel bent ends and
>will be available in three finishes; painted black, polished
aluminium (as
>shown), or powder coated black - this would also be in order
of price as
>well.
>
>These side bars are very light weight and bolt securely to
the frame of the
>van (Syncro or 2WD) and are designed to be used as a step or
to protect your
>vehicle when off roading or from stray shopping carts!  The
factory jack can
>still be used when the side bars are in place.
>
>Things I would like peoples input on:
>
>- What finish would you want to have?
>- Would you want to see a 'wider' passenger side so you can
use it as a step
>for getting into your Vanagon / Westfalia?
>- Would you prefer checker plate (as shown) a smooth
aluminium top piece or
>no top piece?
>- What other improvements would you want to see added to a
product like
>this?
>- Would you consider purchasing a product like this?
>- Would you be interested in a group purchase of this in
order to save $20
>or $30?
>
>All comments and suggestions are welcome!
>
>Thank you!
>
>David Marshall
>
>Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
>4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
>Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
>
>http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
>Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
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