What am I hoping to come up with? A fast Vanagon that has some moderate
handling and braking ability along with some UTILITY.

For 8 years I had a 1990 VW Corrado. I did a LOT of work on it and it went
pretty fast and handled well, but it had zero utility. I could carry one
passenger and that was about it. I've grown to the age at which I'd like to
be able to carry some people and/or cargo and still have some fun. In
addition to that, I'll have pride in knowing that I have built this Vanagon
the right way. I haven't cut any corners. Everything was done right. I don't
think this one will be a, in Stan's words "hot running, over worked
vehicle." For example, I've mounted a Porsche 993 oil cooler at the front,
right in the air flow. This should be more than sufficient to cool the 3.2
motor. But I digress. I'll still have the pride in workmanship and
engineering. A bit of utility and fun will be added bonuses.

Strangely enough, Stan is the first person to take to this project with a
negative attitude. Everyone else has said, "How cool! You'll have to give me
a ride when you are done." This is everyone from Vanagon nut, to Porsche
snob, to folks that don't know a car from a cart. Not only that, it is my
time, money, and effort that has gone in to this. I can waste all of my own
resources in any way I see fit.

I'll never be able to sell this Vanagon for what I have invested in it (or
for even half the investment). But I won't want to. I am building my dream
vehicle, silly as that may sound. I'm sure I'll be quite happy with it.

The end is near. I promise to make pictures and a detailed description
available to all once I have the van up and running.

Cheers,
Bruce

>From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
>Reply-To: wilden1@JUNO.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: weld-in roll cage?
>Date: Sun, 6 Jul 2003 18:07:54 -0700
>
>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
>------------------ Clip -----------------------
>Just out of curiosity; What are you hoping to accomplish with a
>$10,000.00 plus expenditure on a 87 GL that has a retail value when its
>running of about $800 / $2500.00 in Texas?
>I have some experience with going fast in AA Fuel Funny cars, AA Fuel
>Dragsters and Setting a world record in B Fuel altered.
>The benefits to this were that I got paid $2500.00 upward for coming out
>and making three high speed passes at the Drag Races. No need to win
>........... just show up and make those three passes. It was always nice
>to win but it wasn't necessary to successfully campaign the car.
>I grant you that you might get some OOH's and Ah's from the twenty
>something crowd at the beach but even the $6000.00 Porsche that you get
>the engine from will leave you sitting in the dirt.
>The Porsche engine is weight to HP engineered and I think you'll just
>build yourself a hot running, over worked vehicle.
>Over the years we've seen some very nice Porsche into VW Bus, Vanagon
>conversions that have come to light from German machinist but they just
>seem to be short lived and soon evaporate into cyber space never to be
>seen again.
>We'd all like to see what you've come up with .................. please
>post some pictures.
>
>Stan Wilder
>
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