I've brought the idea to the list before, that is to create a website dedicated to convincing VW to re-open the T3 assembly line, albeit with updated electronics and power train.� 

Folks voiced their skepticism with objections that Andrew has debunked below, i.e. that the vehicle COULD be brought up to current USA & Canadian safety standards.

I would love to have a new T3 TDI Syncro.......I think that a lot of people would......

Anthony
'89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)

--- On Tue, 12/2/08, Andrew Grebneff <goose1047@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
From: Andrew Grebneff <goose1047@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: video: Making of a Vanagon
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2008, 6:23 PM

>> You're not forgetting about air bags, and ABS brakes and such
things ,
>> right

T3s were available with ABS. Airbags are easily added. Stability
control likewise (but this is no guarantee of safety... "Wheels" in
Australia recently tested a Toyota Kluger (=Highlander) and the
stability control did NOT step in when it should have... and the
vehicle rolled several times (and the Aussie market demands much
better suspension than US).

>> since the only 'people sit right in front' vehicles sold in
north America
>> are trucks.  ( I'm thinking those Isuzu cab-over diesel delivery
trucks and
>> similar cab-over trucks  )
>> In all cars , mini-vans, and people haulers, the occupants are
mid-mounted
>> these days.

Well, the Japanese have continued with forward-control vans (and
likewise the 2nd-generation Mitsubishi Delica made by Hyundai as the
H100). These must be passing Euro NCAP offset-head-on crashtests,
which the T3 would pass with flying colors.

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