Michael,

Good to hear your wife survived the ordeal with only bruises and memories.
What is your future with Vanagon's?

Tim

> Well,
>
> After 6 fun years of Vanagon ownership it is over.  My Tornado Red 1990
> Vanagon Carat (Wolfsburg Limited Edition) 4spd. has been totalled.  :-(
> Although I have only been lurking on the list for the last couple of
> years, I have really enjoyed this chapter in my life and all the wisdom
> that I have learned here.  I maintained the Vanagon with the
> list-recommended procedures and have replaced practically everything.
> Too bad the insurance company doesn't understand the _true_ value that
> Vanagons give when they give you their payout valuation!  :-(  Most
> importantly, no one was hurt in this accident -- it could have been a
> lot worse.  All it takes is a windy day, curvy road, and a panic swerve
> to cause even a lowered Carat to go into oversteer mode.  My wife (who
> was driving alone) lost control, ran off the other side of the road,
> into a shallow ditch, out of said ditch, airborne for 20 feet, began a
> 180 degree rotation in the air, landed on right rear wheel shearing it
> off and then rolled the van completely over (maybe more than once)
> ending up on it's left side.  The windshield popped out in one piece
> like it's supposed to with only a slight deformation in the right
> A-pillar.  She took off her seatbelt and crawled through the windshield
> hole to get out with only seatbelt bruises as injuries.  The seatbelt
> locked up like it was supposed to and probably saved her life -- hint
> hint.  While the rear-engine design may have contributed to the
> oversteer condition, I'll have to admit the body and frame design did an
> excellent job of protecting the occupant.
>
> I have already sold the salvage, including the square E-codes headlights
> that I purchased from Calle in Sweden, to my mechanic.  I think he
> appreciated the opportunity to get a 2.1 longblock rebuild with only
> 35kmiles for a good price.  I don't know if he has plans for the
> interior or not, I presume he will strip it out in the next week or so.
> If you want to make offers for Carat interior parts, you can call him.
> His name is Lonnie Long, his business is "University Auto Center," and
> his phone number is 919-309-7898.  It is located off I-85 (exit 173) in
> Durham, NC.  Hopefully, the parts from my dear-departed Vanagon can be
> used to keep many more on the road for years to come.
>
> Thanks all,
>
> Michael Townsend
>
>