My life with the darn Vanagons began when I had a baby.  In a manner very
similar to the lady in the current Toyota Sienna commercial, I wanted
nothing to do with minivans - too uncool.  Aside from foreign cars, we were
a Chrysler family (and my uncle was a Ford person/family).  So my dad
suggests a Chrysler minivan, which were quite popular at that time.  I
couldn't get with the program on that, but was tired of trying to change a
diaper and bring a stroller in my Scirocco.  I thought I should look at the
Chrysler to at least be open minded and fair.  I dilly-dallied and wanted to
keep my Scirocco.  In the meantime, my dad went to the local VW dealer to
get parts or something (we have owned a 1973 Thing since 1977, among other
Dubs), and he starts looking at a 1986 Vanagon GL with a few miles on it;
the service managed was driving it and it was used as a "demonstrator."  He
told my dad to take it home and drive around for a few days, so he did.  We
made sure to drive it up the Altamont pass east of the bay area to make sure
we didn't have to crawl up the hill, and then my dad bought it.  That van
ran like a top.  So the next year I finally gave in and bought my
Wolfsburg.

P.S. to Tim in Aachen - my Dad was able to visit Aachen, but not under the
best circumstances; that was in the Fall of 1944.
Donna, 87 Syncro
On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 9:49 AM, Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com> wrote:

>  RE: Wives and Vanagons
> It was my wife (now ex wife but that's another story) that got me into my
> first Westy.  I'd causally mentioned I would like to find a small camper
> type vehicle to use when going out into the boonies to find dark skies for
> my then new hobby of astronomy.  She came back from the garden store one
> day
> and said that the local VW dealer had "one of those pop top campers on sale
> on their used lot" and suggested we go look at it.  The rest is history.
> Though I will add this.  After buying it and on the way home I started to
> chuckle and she asked me what was so funny.  I replied "I'm the guy that
> has
> always said I'd never own a d*** Volkswagen!"
>