In Germany, my friends drive on the Autobahn between 100km/h and 120km/h
even though their T3s can go faster - fuel costs too much and you really
don't save that much time by going faster - maybe 5 minutes over 100km but
what's five minutes?

David Marshall

Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3

http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160

- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
- European Lighting for most Volkswagen models

Due to the large volume of email  we  receive,  PLEASE  include  previous
emails when responding.  This will allow us to read the complete dialogue
in one message and will result in quicker and more  accurate  responses.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Mr. Polak
Sent: February 24, 2004 10:19 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: small car VW engine conversion

Robert Keezer said:
> The Vanagon is not designed for high speed driving and lacks the
> additional
> safety features such as airbags and ABS brakes.

Ah, Robert, lighten up.  The Vanagon is designed by Germans for Germans
and uses a robust utility chassis which is much tougher than Vanagon's
boxy exterior, or their American owners, might suggest.  My first
experience in Vanagon was doing 145 km/h with 9 people and their luggage
on board.  The year was 1981, the country was Austria, and the Vanagon was
a 1980 model.

The problem with our Vanagons is not their design but their age.  They are
suffering from a middle-age crisis, becoming worn out, loose, noisy and
out of shape.  A well-maintained stock Vanagon with its innards in good
working order is a wonderful beast.

Chris S.
'85 Westy <-- stock
'01 NB TDI