Listers,

        My mistake!  The diesel is a 82.  Many people have written to me with info and recommendations concerning the diesel.  I'm very grateful.  It sounds like I do need to pass on this clean sounding camper because of safety for my drivers.  Reading all these adds and keeping it all straight is starting to make my head spin!

I do feel like I'm beginning to narrow my search though.  Luckily though I never considered shipping a camper I now think that is a reasonable option.  this opens up the search area considerably.

I was also lurking on the Eurovan list for ideas but it really feels to me that I need to return to my old friend a 84 and later vanagon Westfailia.  That should do it for my mid life crisis!
Please keep the great sightings and adds coming!

Eric Caron 
 
On Jun 1, 2013, at 12:30 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:

> In stock form the US vanagon Diesels were only 48 horsepower. Power to
> weight and frontal surface area this is worse than the 67 and earlier buses.
> When the vehicles were built the national was 55 mph. These days you really
> need to be able to do 65-70 to travel comfortably on the interstates. Even
> then you can get pushed around. When pushed to the limits these engines do
> blow head gaskets and crack heads. The low mileage can be a warning sign.
> Why wasn't it used? When a vehicle like this is put to regular use age
> instead of mileage will become a problem. A lot of the rubber, plastic, and
> hydraulic parts will fail. Unless you really want this vehicle and/or plan
> on upgrading it I would keep looking. 
> 
> Dennis
>