In a message dated 4/9/03 8:06:16 PM, j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET writes:

<< Said drive 60-65 max, and the
engine would last a long time, trouble free. Took a bit to gear myself
down to that, but now that I have, it's not a problem. >>

John,

I think you are on to something here.  I'm on my fourth Vanagon and I've been
whipping them all like that poor horse in War and Peace trying to pull an
overloaded tram when, the other day, I realized how wrong I have been.  If a
Vanagon is driven within the posted speed limits, selecting the proper gear
will put its engine speed right smack dab in the green band of the tach,
i.e., the engine speed at which it is at its best.  The only minor drawback
is that the Vanagon was conceived and groomed when we had a 55 mph national
speed limit.  But, in its day, the Vanagon seems to have been perfectly
matched to the task at hand.

George