one type of bus i always kinda lusted after was a Mercedes
MB-100.
about the same size and shape as our vanagons, but with a front
engine between the front seats.
i think they've discontinued it in favor of their
more-minivan-shaped vehicles. :(

and i think the public misconception of no-nose = no protection
continues, and you aren't likely to see any well-designed
vehicles (like our vanagons) that use the interior space
efficiently or effectively. the Honda is an attempt at it, but
look at the intended audience: surfers, bikers, hikers ... not a
soccer mom in the bunch! ;)
and while i liked the car, and have driven it, and been impressed
with it as a neat CAR, it's not a van, it's not a camper, and
it's not very big. but it is kinda neat ... i'd rather have it
than my sister's chrysler minivan.

but then, i wouldn't mind if the vanagons were a tad bigger. i
could use another few inches wider, and another foot longer
wouldn't bother me, either. it's really funny at work to look out
my window and see my bus hiding on the other side of some of
these ford f-150 pickup trucks in the parking lot ...  my bus
isn't anywhere nearly as long as those things. even the ford
exporers or chevy yukons are bigger.

so what are we to do? well ... we're doing it: that's what this
list is all about; keeping on keeping on, with our buses. :)
i've only got four and if i can find a better place to live
(meaning, a 60x100 concrete slab metal building), i'll probably
get some more! :)  assuming that social security lasts long
enough for me to retire and actually get any money back from my
gummint. :(

anyway, i guess my point is, they ain't making no more no-nose
vans ... and the vans they are making aren't very good for what
we want. so we're stuck with what we have. so we'd better make
the best of it, until such time as someone (probably won't be vw)
figures out how to make them again. :(

unca joel