Ben,
There are less and less of these in Europe.  I think, the rust is eating
them up and the local laws and restrictions are too stiff and unforgiving,
especially if the van has no catalitic converter.  Remember, those cars were
not fuel injected and most had no catalitic converters only the later ones
did.  The US models were FI from the start with catalitic converters, as far
as I know.  I even know someone in England who has a California model there.
I got one in Innsbruck, Austria with a high top, new engine, 1.9L and I
would have to install a cat. conv. on it to get it more legal and have less
tax.  Now mostly the wrecking yard have it and even them are not very much.
I like the thermal windows on the European models.  It is a double,
synthetic window and keeps the car cooler.  And I like those high tops that
allows you to stand up anytime and you don't have to be looking out of place
with you roof up and obviously "camping".  The top bed is great for having
your suitcases stored and a lot of other stuff.  In the front inside the
top, there is a nice compartment that can store a lot of things.  Much
better than having the front luggage rack on ours that we rarely use.  It is
a disappearing bird all over.  I just wish, the South African models could
be imported into here.  They were making them in 2003 still.  But they are
righ hand drive.
Those have nice colors there and the sliding door opens the other side...
Even here in the US, you would not see one when you drive cross country
sometimes.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "BenT Syncro" <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 2:28 PM
Subject: OT: Where have all the Vanagons gone in the UK & IT?

We were in a few places in Europe last couple of weeks. On one day of
driving from Hayes to London, to Dover, we managed some 120+ miles w/o
seeing a single T25 (or Vanagon as we call it here in the US).
 Went to Livorno & Civitavecchia in Italy and Lisbon, Portugal and found
none at all.
 Finally, spotted a Titian Red Westfalia with a non-luggage carrier front
roof piece on the poptop. That was in Gibraltar. It had what looked like
Spanish plates. The Rock is part of Spain afterall despite it's English
management. =) Camper was double parked with no driver in sight.
 The next camper we spotted was near Cannes, France. It was a white Westy
looking camper which looked out of place among the Bentleys, Lambos, and
Ferraris in Monte Carlo. Who would have guessed? Spanish plates again.
 Stopped on Almeria and Barcelona in Spain. Saw a bright yellow Westy on the
main drag in Barcelona. That was about it. Yes, Spanish plates.
 Guess only the Spaniards like Vanagons in that part of the world. There
lots of Fiat, Ford, Renault, and even T4 & T5 VW vans. But the T3 Vanagon
was conspicuously absent.
 Mental note: Change itinerary to include Germany next time. Then maybe we
might still see T3's.
 --
BenT