Well, I have an '81 aircooled Westy.  I have no problem cruising at 70 on the eway, and I hold
it down to that even though it is perfectly willing to go faster.  Keep in mind that I see
elevation changes from 2500' to 8500' within an hour of my home (SE Arizona), which is located
at 4300', so we are talking about very hilly conditions here.  I have an auto because I want an
auto.  I would guess that you either have no experience with an auto, or the one you do have
experience with runs like crap.

Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Fox" <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
>
> Why not just trade your van with someone that has an automatic.  Most
> owners with automatics would rather have a manual so you could probably
> get a van that's a little nicer than yours and call it a fair trade.
> Probably save you and someone else that wants an auto tranny a lot of
> work.  Also realize that top speed in an auto tranny vanagon is around 60
> mph, unless you have big tires or feel comfortable running it over 4000
> RPM.  Top speeds on hilly freeways are about half that.  Not very
> practical if you ask me, especially considering that gas mileage is less
> than with a manual tranny (16-18 mpg).