On Mon, 10 May 2004, Stan Wilder wrote:

> The Type 2 VW Bus / Van has much of the charm of the original Split Window
> vans.
> It is in much more demand and is more collectable than any of the Vanagon
> models other than the dual cabs.
> The Type 2 is lighter in weight and will deliver better performance.
> Stick to your type 2.

Amen!  The 1973-78 Buses were some of the best vans VW ever made.
Aircooled simplicity, but without the extra weight that makes the engines
die early in Vanagons.  They're missing a few of the niceties of a Vanagon
(good heat, rack-and-pinion steering) but they have the charm of the old
buses.  I got more grins and waves in my '75 bus than I did in any other
vehicle I've owned.

(I specified '73-'78 to get away from the valve-eating tendances of the
'72 models, and the one-year-old parts of the '79.  The '72s have probably
all been redone by now with later engines with sodium-filled exhaust
valves, though.)