yikes!  I'm glad those folks are OK!  I always am interested to see
the Vanagon front crash photos because that is what I worry about
driving my van.  This looks like a head-on glancing blow with a large
pickup truck.  Looks like it's bumper was too high for the lower
crash structure to do much and it rode up the front of the van.  Look
how the dash is curled over toward the read.  Especially note the
brake fluid reservoir and it's brackets which are normally
horizontal.  Also note the A-pillar deflected in somewhat and
separated from the roof.  Thank goodness for that sturdy A-pillar in
this crash.  Then it looks like the truck pulled the window frame
down as it slid off van.  Thank goodness too for the articulated,
collapsible steering column.  I get the heebies whenever I look at an
old beetle or bus or many older cars with the solid steering column
going from the steering wheel way out to the front of the car.  Like
it's saying, "here accident, shove this metal shaft into my face, chest, etc."

The way the dash is impinging on the front seat and the bent steering
wheel makes it hard to believe the driver had only minor
injuries.  Either the steering wheel was bent by the driver's body,
the truck pushing into the cab, or maybe to free the driver?  Any of
those seem like there would be more serious injuries.  Maybe the dash
is just loose flopping down there on the seat.

At 10:05 AM 12/12/2010, Paul Guzyk wrote:
>Glad to hear everyone is ok.
>Looks like the crumple zone, impact beam in the front of the Vanagon, and
>break apart steering column did what VW says they do in an accident.
>
>I would not want to be in that wreck driving a bay window bus....
>
>
>Link for images:
> > http://www.benplace.com/christ_subi2.htm
> >
> >