I'm really, REALLY amused with the $10,000 figure that has been tossed
around. None of you have any idea! The engine and transmission alone cost
that much. I can't tell you how much more has gone in to this. I had been
keeping very close track of every little cost. I started getting physically
ill when it reached $13,000 so I stopped keeping track. Believe me, that was
a long, long time ago.

Unfortunately, we can't send pictures through the list, and I don't have a
photo hosting site set up yet. Here is a one time deal: Anyone that wants to
see a few of my pictures and a few brief comments, please send me your
e-mail address by noon, Thursday, July 9, 2003 and I will send out one mass
e-mail to all of you with pictures attached. It won't be everything, but it
will be a taste of what has been done.

Bruce

>From: Steve Delanty <laurasdog@WEIRDSTUFFWEMAKE.COM>
>Reply-To: laurasdog@WEIRDSTUFFWEMAKE.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: weld-in roll cage?
>Date: Sun, 6 Jul 2003 17:11:34 -0700
>
>Stan wrote:
>>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?
>
>Why do so many people seem to get so hung up on resale value?
>
>I can't speak for Bruce, but I intend to drive my westy until It's too old
>for me to get parts for anymore, or I'm dead, or the gov'ment says I
>can't have it anymore, which ever comes first.
>
>Resale value means pretty much nothing to me.
>Enjoyment of the vehicle means EVERYTHING.
>
>So someone spends $10K to fix up a vanagon to be a vehicle they
>can really enjoy driving...  If you've priced new cars lately (and the
>registration and insurance) you know that $10K is a bargain.
>
>And IMHO the first thing a vanagon needs to make it more enjoyable
>is a better motor.
>I've spent nearly $3K on my engine conversion, and I don't regret a single
>penny of it. The increase in driving pleasure is absolutely enormous.
>I don't expect to get that money back if I do sell it, but I'll bet I get
>way more than $3K of additional enjoyment out of the van because of it.
>
>When you go out to a nice restaurant to eat, do you order food you will
>enjoy eating or are you most concerned about the resale value of the turd?
>
>I've ridden in a 911 powered loaf bus, and it was GREAT.
>I wish Bruce well on his conversion. And want to see photos...
>
>Steve
>EJ22 -> '86 Westy "Escape Pod"

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