In Germany they take this a step further and more accurate - you will never
see a listing for a 1987 Golf for example.  The Golf Syncro that I bought
was sold as on 07.87 Golf Syncro and it's build date was 01.JUL.1987  A lot
more truth in advertising!

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

- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
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- European Lighting for most Volkswagen models

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Loren A. Busch
Sent: November 16, 2002 6:19 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Production dates: Is this van a 90?

Dave said:  Volkswagen considers anything built 01/SEP and on the next
model year.  So your 09/89 would be classified as a 1990.....
Actually, it's not VW, it's the 'tradition' created by the US
manufacturers in the '50's and '60's.  The plants shut down in the
spring to re-tool, last cars of the 'model year' came off the line in
April or May, and the first of the "New Model Year" usually shipped in
September.  Ecause of this, even though manufactured in one calendar
year, most states register anything sold new after 15 Sept as the next
model year.  My '85 Westy had a body manufactured in 12/84, and my '90
in 11/89.
BTW, the '90 originally had the 'touch me and I will crumble' fiberglass
bumpers, as opposed to the 'touch me and I will wrinkle' metal bumpers.
I replaced them with the Volkscafe bumpers, now 'touch me if you dare'.