51 hp: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_1000
close but not quite (as low).
I'd have to think about it but I bet there were a few others in the low
50-hp range from that era in the early '80's when everyone was trying to
sell a diesel car.

I think the 1,8 Isuzu motor in the Chevette was one best in the range,
nothing like GM's own diesel.
On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 8:41 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> oh some westy's are fast all right.
> I don't know why it's so strong running, but I have to concentrate to keep
> my 83 Westy with 2.1 engine running on Digijet fuel system from going 75.
> ( for sale btw )
>
> What I find obnoxious about trying to stay in the right lane and mind my
> own
> business is that people are too stupid to go around.
> They'll just lock on and stay back there, and usually to close.
> I have to move one lane left, then they 'wake up' and go on by on my right,
> then I move back to the right lane.
> I notice that a lane change is an extemely diffiucult manuever for many
> people.
>
> Cars going off and on the freeway make the right lane bothersome too.
> Better to have a vechicle that can hold it's own , at least mostly, with
> traffic.
> Surely there is not one other 48 hp van or car from the 80's besides the
> 1.6
> NA diesel vanagon, or diesel rabbits.
>
> But we are having vanagon fun all right !
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Karl Wolz" <wolzphoto@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 11:57 PM
> Subject: Re: vanagon, 83 watercooled diesel
>
>
>   My new daily driver is a 1.6L NA Doka (thanks, Jeff).  I drive it
>> mostly in town, but that involves jaunts up and down the local
>> freeways.  Top speed is 100kph (62mph).  It doesn't zoom, but I only
>> rarely feel that I'm holding up traffic.  I stay to the right most of
>> the time.  I get about 30mpg in town; 27 on the road, where I zing ;-)
>> along at the above-mentioned 62mph.
>>
>> When hauling a ton and a half of gravel, the engine isn't the limiting
>> factor on speed (cajones too small, I guess).
>>
>> If you don't mind staying in the slow lane, a diesel Westy might be
>> right for you.  None of the Westies are fast, but the diesel adds a
>> whole new dimension to slow.
>>
>> My view, and I'm sticking to it!
>>
>> Karl Wolz
>>
>