>>Well, the real problem is that they'd have to change a few things. The flat
>>nose is murder on fuel economy. With gas crawling up toward the $3.50 mark
>>here in the states, fuel economy is a big sticking point. There's also the
>>issue of front-end impact safety. No car maker can afford to make any
>>passenger vehicle where the occupants aren't placed cowering behind a couple
>>feet of collapsible steel. 

What about the new Smart Cars?  I am sure there is more metal in the nose of a Vanagon.  And sure the Smart Car has a motor in the front but the Vanagon has a spare tire that is probably offers more crash protection.
George
'85 Westfalia