For many years California had much stricter emissions limits ( they still do, and now 4 other states are also on the 'very strict' list - like you can't get certain cars there, new, like diesels ) ......so there were '49 state models' and 'California models.'

< 49 state models are also called 'federal' models sometimes  ) 

Read the tag on your license plate door, or in the engine compartment.
It should say ........
'this vehicle conforms to all applicable emissions laws for 1981 < or whatever year yours is > .....and then it'll say 'federal' or California ....or sometimes it'll say 'federal' and there's a blank spot where it would also say 'and California'...
something like that.
Also if it has an oxygen sensor, it's a Ca model. 
Scott
www.turbovans.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Demon Imp
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 1:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: getting my first aircooled vanagon...

I believe it is a california model, potentially stupid question, but  
what is a federal model.  I'm in los angeles at the moment, but will  
be traveling down to san diego, and possibly into baja, and also plan  
to do a trip to san francisco and points further north.  Might even  
make a pilgramige to go westy.  Hence being broad in the california  
description, cause I may be passing through many parts of it.

On 19/09/2007, at 1:27 PM, Scott Daniel - Shazam wrote:

> California is a pretty big place. You might say what part.
> I hope yours is a California model, and not a federal model.  The  
> Ca ones
> have electronic ignition and an oxygen sensor like they should.
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
> southern oregon
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On  
> Behalf Of
> Demon Imp
> Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 12:51 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: getting my first aircooled vanagon...
>
> hey folks...
> Dad has a water cooled vanagon camper that I grew up with.  Now I'm
> getting my own, this one an aircooled.  I'm living in California at
> the moment and was hoping to make contact with other owners that
> might be open to chatting and looking at the vehicle with me, so that
> I can get confident doing stuff myself?  Any takers?
>
>
> │ Raymond Massa │ =
>

■ Raymond Massa ■ Mocap Facial Team ■ weta digital ■
(currently on location in Los Angeles)