have you seen these?  this is a "restored" fj40, but the car is almost
completely new.  i think it's just the frame and some of the body components
that are original, and imported from japan.

http://www.tlcicon.com/

aaron
'87 syncro westy ej22

>From: Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
>Reply-To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: ebay mystery doka
>Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:29:40 EST
>
>In a message dated 3/27/2006 5:08:17 PM Pacific Standard Time,
>jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM writes:
>
> >Damn!  I want to meet the guy who did the van to doka  conversion.
>That's
> >some of the nicest original looking bodywork  I've ever seen.
>
>
>Since there's an interest in this kind of conversion, I'm willing to  take
>up
>task. You'll have to supply me with the Van and the syncro Doka in
>pristine
>shape for all needed donor parts. I haven't figured out a price yet,  but I
>already have a drill and a rivit gun. The entire job should take about 5
>minutes--but I have to insist you don't watch while I'm doing the body work
>and  the
>installation of the syncro parts. ;)
>
>I will say though, it's odd that (if I recall) some US companies used to be
>able to get away with importing new 2000 Mexican Beetles into the US and
>use a
>  70's US registered Beetle's floor pan and VIN for the base of the Mexican
>Beetle  in a conversion. Then install the Mexican Beetle body and all
>components
>on  the US registered floor plan and have a "restored 70 Beetle" legally
>registered.  I mean is that how it was done with the Mexican imports, or is
>that a
>myth as  well?
>
>I'm guessing the real problem is the buracracy, but what's the difference
>in
>an 88 Vanagon in a driveway or an 88 Crew Cab from Canada? If it's the
>engine
>  and emissions--couldn't an American spec engine from 88 be installed in
>the
>Crew  Cab and it be all good? I'm guessing the safety systems are identical
>as
>far as  seat belts and bumpers and whatever else a car had to meet for US
>import in 88.
>
>And I guess what I don't get is where does the old car end and the restored
>or rebuilt car begin? If my, for example, 69 Camaro has all new fenders,
>drive train, interior, new rear, etc. Let's say I even lift a more solid
>body
>from a junker and fit it to my original Camaro frame, weld on a new front
>end--basically the only thing original is the VIN plate. Am I missing
>something?
>
>Best,
>Jeff
>83.5 Westy (I don't actually have a Camaro--it was just a "for  example")
>LA,CA

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