Allen,

Jeff's VW in Mooresville has two decent Wolfsburgs sitting on the lot.
 They're definitely late model, both are burgundy.  I know for certain
that they've been there for at least 2 months.  Give them a call if
you plan on going the "swap" route.  It's definitely worth a look.

I don't know where you are in Indiana, but let me know if it's too far
to take a quick look and I'll drive over there and take some pics for
you.  I'm just up the street from them in Plainfield (till November
when I head home to California).

Cheers,

Jeff

On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 10:31 AM, Allan Streib<streib@cs.indiana.edu> wrote:
> Got the news from the insurance co (State Farm) they are considering the claim to be a total loss. �Not surprising, really.
>
> They are offering the NADA "good condition" value for the van, which is $3,125. �I actually think that's pretty fair for a GL vanagon with over 200K miles.
>
> I can buy it back for the salvage value of $325 and try to repair it. �The question I now have is am I better off shopping for another solid van, maybe one with a blown engine or drivetrain, and transplant parts, or trying to hammer out/weld and or bondo the damage on my current van.
>
> Thoughts? �Anyone have any leads on a potential candidate for the "replace/transplant" plan? �I am located in Indiana, would consider picking up/towing from anywhere in the midwest or mid-south.
>
> Allan
> --
> 1991 Vanagon GL
>
>
>
> On Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:55 -0400, "Allan Streib" <streib@cs.indiana.edu> wrote:
>> Wife hit another car from behind in my '91 GL. �No injuries, thankfully.
>> The impact was largely just above the bumper on the driver's side. �It
>> doesn't look TOO bad, but the steering is binding pretty badly. �I'm
>> guessing the steering box up front was damaged, or there's some crushed
>> sheet metal interfering with it. �Also the driver's door has been bumped
>> a bit out of place though it will still open and close. �The door itself
>> is undamaged; the damage appears to be confined to the front nose sheet
>> metal.
>>
>> The van is a high-miler (over 200K) but no rust and in pretty good shape.
>> �I've put in a new steering rack, ball joints, radius rod bushings,
>> shifter linkage kits, fuel hoses, gas tank vents, and misc. other work
>> over the past year.
>>
>> Wondering how much work it would be to cut off the front nose (or maybe
>> just the left half of it) and replace it? �I have a welder and though I'm
>> not very experienced at it am willing to give it a try.
>>
>> Is there likely to be any other structural distortion? �I know the front
>> ends of these vans are pretty strong, so hoping it's repairable.
>>
>> I can post photos later today.
>>
>> Allan
>> --
>> 1991 Vanagon GL
>