Howdy From Texas,

I read the article and looked at the pictures. If you pay attention, I have
a lot of trouble calling that thing a Split Window Bus. Instead, they pretty
clearly state that they built a space frame to mound the engine,
transmission, and suspension pieces. This is how race cars are built. They
went further by cutting the entire floor pan out of the bus and simply
laying the skin over the space frame chassis they built. That isn't so much
a roll cage as part of the chassis. The bus bodywork is merely a skin placed
over the frame. Please note, too, that the owner of the "Bus" built none of
it himself. He paid professional race car builders to build the entire
vehicle for him.

I'm sure that it goes fast, handles well, and stops quickly, but I wouldn't
really call it a Split Window Bus.

What I am building is more VW. I'm installing a Porsche 3.2 Carrera motor
and G50 transmission into my '87 GL. I'm keeping the stock suspension,
although I will upgrade the springs, dampeners, and wheels. I've got a SA
Grill and Projekt Zwo lights. I'm also going to be installing a SA Big Brake
Kit. Now that I consider to be more of a pumped up VW than a race car with
VW skin. Best of all, it was engineered and built with a lot of hard work
and sweat by me and my friends.

Bruce

>From: Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@EARTHLINK.NET>
>Reply-To: Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@EARTHLINK.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: weld-in roll cage?
>Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2003 07:45:05 -0400
>
>has anyone with a hi-po engine swap or otherwise thought about fabricating
>a
>full on rollcage for their vanagon above and beyond the marginal roll
>protection that is in place?
>
>Check out this month's Dune Buggy's & Hot VW's. There is a Splittie
>featured with a 300 hp Porsche 6 cyl. and it has a roll cage as well.  Jeff

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