Robert,

I'm 64, and you sound a bit like I feel.

I was given a 63 beetle as a wedding present for me and my new bride
back in '64.. That was my introduction  to the VW stable.

Since then I owned a ragtop sunroof beetle, and a 69 sunroof hardtop
bettle. In 1980 I bought a 68 bus. Installed a Suburban motorhome
heater(35,000 btu) for Alaska winters, and rebuilt the engine into a
2150 and installed headers and a Webber 4 barrel. It was a go-er!!

In 1990 I got my first Vanagon, an 85 GL, and let the earlier bus go to
a kid that really needed a vehicle. I have driven the vanagons ever
since and currently have an 88 GL with 50K on a new engine. I am very
satisfied with the configurations of the vehicle, it's performance, and
it's maintenance record. I don't really expect to ever be without one.

regards,

John Rodgers.
88 GL Driver

Robert Keezer wrote:

> It's no surprise to me that most of us have our roots in the old Bus.
>
> I'm 51 and VW is the only make i have owned for 22 years.
>
> That's where it began for me in 1979 . I bought a 1965 Sundial Camper. It
> had no pop-top, and it had a good engine and transmission.
>
> Gas was 89 cents a gallon.
>
> I had never owned a Volkswagen before. I discovered America "best by car"
> with mine and dorve it for 2 1/2 years.
>
> After i sold it, i regetted it for 8 years. Finally , I bought another
> one,
> a 64 Bus-but it wasn't the same . Five years , three engines a
> transmission
> and front end later,  I found my '82 Westfalia Diesel in a junkyard
> with a
> burnt engine.
>
> The was the the beginning of a new adventure . The Vanagon is a better
> vehicle and they are made so well. I have driven mine for 8 years already
> and nothing else appeals .
>
> I like the Vanagon list since we have so much in common with this
> vehicle.
> I'm not suprused that many of you have owned these since they were
> new- they
> were top notch then and they are still today.
> Though i have owned several other Vanagons, I'm attached to my '82.  I
> have
> a '95 Golf engine in it and power steering, -it drives and handles like a
> car.
>
> I've added a heater and a Humprey gas light, and the fridge makes ice
> cubes.
> It doesn't get better than this.
> There are some hidden refinements that do'nt attract attention or loud
> guffaws from envious Vanagonites.
> And I always enjoy looking at someone elses Vanagon - as much as this car
> blends in it stands out.
> Its outstanding.
>
>
> Robert K
>
> 1982 Westfalia
> Seattle
>
>
> Robert
> 1982 Westfalia
>