Stinking computer!
Locked up and sent the message before I'd finished it!!!!

Volks-

The tide may well be turning in my favor
So I called the 2 dealerships that insurance adjuster contacted in order to
valuate Blackbeard.

Per the adjuster, the estimated value was based in part on the asking price
of similar vehicles for sale in the area - 2 different 1990 Vanagon GLs.

TURNS OUT that NOT ONLY are there NO VANAGONS for sale at either dealership,
but one of the dealerships actually gave the asking price of a 1990 Cabrio
that he had on the lot at some point in the last year!!!
Apples and oranges!

The dealer asked me to take some pictures of Blackbeard and send them to him
along with a description of the options and upgrades, along with all of the
mechanical work that had been  performed over the course of the past year
and that he would assign a NEW value to give to the insurance company.

We'll see what he comes back with, but SO FAR SO GOOD ! ! ! !

There may be hope for Blackbeard after all!

WOO HOO ! ! ! ! !

-Drew