This is kind of what I'm after... although I don't really want to find
the old dies and tooling to do it. It wouldn't really be feasible to
produce as many as they originally did with orginal tooling, as the
market wouldn't be there at the price you'd likely be able to reach.
But with a redesigned vehicle based on the form factor and major
design of the vanagon, I think it's possible to realize all the great
things about the vanagon, while adding more capability and removing
major downsides.  After we finish nailing down and streamlining the
powerplant to exploit, it's on to the suspension and braking, then the
interior and wiring, leaving the chassis as the last section to be
re-engineered and replaced. A tubular space frame, with paint film
molded composite body panels is the direction I'd like to see... Would
a space frame modern micro-production(2,000-6,000) vehicles from a
tiny company that nobody has ever heard of work?  I think so, and I
aim to find out.. so far so good. It's good when the fruits of
development can actually provide value AS they are developed as in the
case of the engine conversion, to help not only prove that the idea
has value, but push development along for every other aspect.

Jim Akiba

On 1/28/08, Zoltan Kuthy <zolo@foxinternet.net> wrote:
> You would want to get all the dies and tools first, the drawings, tech.
> info.  But I think, they have used them up already making them into some
> different models.  Unless, there is a guy who has bought them before.  I
> knew a few guys from the BMW group, the top brass, I played golf with them
> every month, and their suppliers of the dies, tools, etc.  I may still find
> the contacts if I really search for them, but only if its worth it.
> Z
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Greg Potts" <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 12:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [vanagon] Share some vanagon video
>
>
> > Hi Bryan,
> >
> > If I had to guess, I'd say they are probably sitting in a warehouse
> > in South Africa someplace. Since the Vanagon was produced there from
> > 1995-2003 there would have been a need for them there. But after 19
> > years use in production, they may not be in the best of shape.
> >
> > Happy Trails,
> >
> > Greg Potts
> > 1973/74/77/79 Westfakia "Bob The Tomato
> > www.pottsfamily.ca
> > www.busesofthecorn.com
> >
> >
> > On 28-Jan-08, at 1:55 PM, BJ Feddish wrote:
> >
> >> So where are all those Vanagon building robots now? Out to
> >> pasture?  How
> >> about a group purchase, we can set them all up at Chris's barn and
> >> start
> >> cranking new vans out.
> >
> >
> > --
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database:
> > 269.19.14/1247 - Release Date: 1/28/2008 10:59 AM
> >
> >
>