And...does one preserve and maintain their vanagon as a commodity ,
and thus perserve future value..
or does one upgarade their vanaogn for they own personal enjoyment  ??

I vote for the latter !!
sounds like a hellava lot more fun ..NOW ..as in the moment.

If it's an investment, don't drive it.
Don't modify or improve it ...
just store it carefully.

Scott

On 1/12/2014 8:39 PM, JRodgers wrote:
> Back in the '70's I was proud owner of a Powder Blue Jag XKE convertible
> with bumps on the hood - meaning the V-12 engine with the four Stromberg
> carburetors. The bumps made room for the strombergs to fit.  That thing
>  was so sweet to drive. Dunno how the engine was built - massive block
> or iron or aluminum - but it ran well. But I was told early on that for
> collectors value to keep it strictly stock. Sadly, I had to sell it
> during the peak of the Carter/Reagan Recession. My next vehicle purchase
> was a '68 Loaf - and that began a whole 'nother journey!
>
> John
>
> On 1/12/2014 5:48 PM, Jim Felder wrote:
>> My wife had an XJ6 with a jag engine, it would have been better off
>> with a
>> V8 for sure. But the XJ6 is NEVER going to be a collector car. They
>> simply
>> won't last long enough in any respect. They do not share the heritage
>> with
>> the breed that Vanagons share with the iconic bus.
>>
>> Vanagons are already moving inexorably into the collector direction.
>> Right
>> now, they are in transition and are still more valuable for their
>> utility
>> than anything else (but there are exceptions to this), so a
>> conversion with
>> more power and reliability might fetch more than a stock vanagon
>> TODAY. But
>> where they are headed is this: a kid born today is going to want the
>> vanagon as much as a loaf in 35 or 40 years (assuming fossil fuel
>> vehicles
>> are allowed on the road, but I can guarantee that somewhere in the
>> world,
>> that won't be a problem in 2045), and no splitties will be available.
>> While
>> they will probably never be in the price range with splitties, which
>> will
>> be over $200,000 by then for a really nice example, the price might be
>> $70,000 or so, which might be $10,000 more than a typical new car
>> costs by
>> then. Just eyeballing the trajectories of these things.
>>
>> Anything not original, as with all collectors, will make the car worth
>> less. It doesn't matter if you are collecting sewing machines, art deco
>> furniture, crosscut saw sharpeners, hatpins or tractors. Originality
>> will
>> provide the most value in the end. Flamers, I did not say for now.
>> But in
>> the future, no conversion will be worth as much as a stocker.
>>
>> History is 100% against ye who believe otherwise.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Jan 12, 2014 at 1:42 PM, SDF ( Scott Daniel Foss ) <
>> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>>
>>> it's not fridae so let's stop here.
>>> briefly  though ..the Jag XJ 6 engine is a huge lump of iron that dates
>>> from 1947 I think. Fantastic when it came out .
>>> and used until the early 90's even I think....by then it was
>>> desperately
>>> outmoded.   And the chevy engine weighs less, has more power and if far
>>> less finnacy   ( sp ? spell checker can't figure it out either )
>>> ..especially over the carbed jag engine that soldiered on until 1986 in
>>> the JX6.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 1/12/2014 6:20 AM, Todd Last wrote:
>>>
>>>> Yes, but note the resale value for a Jag with a chevy engine.
>>>> The whole reason for having a Jag or a Mercedes is the engine.
>>>> Removing that, kills the resale value.
>>>>
>>>> Todd
>>>>
>>>> On 12/25/2013 11:52 AM, Scott Daniel wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> for example the popular Chevy V-8 in the Jaguar XJ6
>>>>> Possibly hundreds of those have been done.  Possibly more than that
>>>>> even.
>>>>> Very likely there are kits for that conversion.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've seen a Mercedes sedan ..the popular 300D body style from about
>>>>> 1984, with a  ..
>>>>> A carbureted Chev V-8 and chevy auto trans dropped into. They guy
>>>>> nagged me to buy it even  ..for $ 2,000 or so, well less than what he
>>>>> had into it. Had a large goofy wing on the trunk too.  If I didn't
>>>>> already own 20 vehicles ...........
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I believe the 'small block' chevy V-8 engine, first introduced in
>>>>> 1955
>>>>> with 265 cubic inches displacement..
>>>>> and with variations and other versions with larger displacements, was
>>>>> produced into 2000's and may still yet be in production..
>>>>>
>>>>> I think no basic engine design on earth has had so many examples
>>>>> produced..
>>>>> in the 10's of millions of them.
>>>>> And that engine is generally the most common hot rod or conversion
>>>>> engine ever, certainly in North America,
>>>>> and around the world, GM of Australia for example. I'm sure they know
>>>>> that engine well ther.
>>>>>
>>>>> Merry !
>>>>> Scott
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 12/25/2013 11:40 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes! Any car with a conventional front engine driving the rear
>>>>>> wheels
>>>>>> via
>>>>>> drive shaft and solid rear axle. On all of these use most any
>>>>>> engine-transmission assembly your wish and even change the rear
>>>>>> axle!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>>>>>> Behalf Of
>>>>>> Jim Felder
>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 3:08 PM
>>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: Engine woes - what to do?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Does anyone know of a car that has more engine swap possibilities
>>>>>> than a
>>>>>> Vanagon?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jim
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Tue, Dec 24, 2013 at 6:28 AM, Jack R <jack007@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   I know a couple volks who are very pleased with their Bostig
>>>>>>> conversion.
>>>>>>> http://www.bostig.com/
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In my case, I came very close to putting in a 2.5l 5 cly TDI (owned
>>>>>>> the motor, and was ready to proceed), but the cost to beef up the
>>>>>>> trans due to the torque of a diesel among many other things,
>>>>>>> resulted
>>>>>>> in converting my
>>>>>>> 84
>>>>>>> Wolfie to a 2.1L out of a 91 in tip top shape.  Very pleased in
>>>>>>> all.
>>>>>>> As I use my Westie for a few weekends of Michigan Camping, and put
>>>>>>> about 5,000 miles on it a year, the ROI from the costly
>>>>>>> conversion to
>>>>>>> get more MPG or performance is not there for me.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Each conversion is a unique decision, and Scott makes some valid
>>>>>>> points on your current situation.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Good luck with whatever you do... I'll speak for everyone on this
>>>>>>> list, we ALL hate to see any Vanagon leave circulation!!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jack R.
>>>>>>> 84 Westy Wolfie with a 2.1L (owned since 87, and restored to
>>>>>>> original
>>>>>>> splendor)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>>>>>>> Behalf Of Scott Daniel
>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 7:14 AM
>>>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: Engine woes - what to do?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'll have to second this. Inline 4 gasser didn't pop into my
>>>>>>> mind as a
>>>>>>> solution out of the poster's current delema ..
>>>>>>> but yeah ..
>>>>>>> simple , cheap, durable, easily repalced, all VW , good fuel
>>>>>>> economy,
>>>>>>> decent power ..
>>>>>>> there is a lot to like in a VW-based  I4 gasser conversion.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ...if I ever find time to my to play with my 3 actually....
>>>>>>> ..mutter
>>>>>>> mutter.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 12/23/2013 4:07 PM, Don Hanson wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'll chime in for the inline VW swap as probably the simplest and
>>>>>>>> most
>>>>>>>> economical way to go.   Like Jim, I really like the power, the
>>>>>>>> fuel
>>>>>>>> economy and the overall simplicity of having a VW motor on VW
>>>>>>>> parts in
>>>>>>>> my VW van.   I did keep the Digifant  1.8 liter head and all the
>>>>>>>> wires
>>>>>>>> do plug right in, pretty much.  It bolts right in using VW diesel
>>>>>>>> parts that are available and proven...the diesel VW engine is the
>>>>>>>> same block as the gasser, so all the parts for mounting it are
>>>>>>>> factory
>>>>>>>> stock.   ABA blocks are also identical.   My motor cost me
>>>>>>>> about $600
>>>>>>>> to build from a $300 Jetta ABA and I sold off the extra parts to
>>>>>>>> almost make a profit.
>>>>>>>>       You can find almost unlimited inline VW motors for under
>>>>>>>> $500
>>>>>>>> all over everywhere.  The only downside is there is no one
>>>>>>>> source of
>>>>>>>> information on this particular swap, not that it needs a lot of
>>>>>>>> explaining.  Inline parts are dirt cheap, they are simple to
>>>>>>>> work on
>>>>>>>> and quite robust.   I was a VW rookie when I got mine already
>>>>>>>> converted, but the fellow who did the conversion was a
>>>>>>>> carpenter and
>>>>>>>> not a mechanic.  I've since done a lot of swapping around and
>>>>>>>> messing with it, mainly to learn and because they are so cheap and
>>>>>>>> simple....They are easy to mess with....I never HAD to work on
>>>>>>>> mine
>>>>>>>> much, but I chose to go to the ABA 2.0 liter block after reading
>>>>>>>> about it and finding one for $300...Took me 2 days, about to
>>>>>>>> swap all
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> stuff over and re-install it into my van.   I have a spare motor
>>>>>>> now,
>>>>>>>> too...should I ever need one.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Mon, Dec 23, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Todd Last <rubatoguy@comcast.net>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> After almost 230,00 miles my '88 Vanagon is displaying symptoms of
>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> head
>>>>>>> leak - I have not yet confirmed this or done a recent compression
>>>>>>> test, but plan to do so.  I have concluded that one of the worst
>>>>>>> things you can do to your van is not use it. Bad things happen when
>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> are left sitting!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In any case I am looking at my options, and started out thinking
>>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> replacing the heads, then thought if I was going to do that, I
>>>>>>>> might
>>>>>>> as well put in new piston rings too, and well, once you do that you
>>>>>>> might as well go a step farther and do an engine rebuild. Of
>>>>>>> course,
>>>>>>> once you get there, the question becomes, stock, modified (like
>>>>>>> GoWesty) or engine swap.  In looking at these options, it looks
>>>>>>> like a
>>>>>>> cost of $5,000 or more. From what I have seen, Subaru
>>>>>>> conversions can
>>>>>>> reach over $10K.  Yikes!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I was wondering if I could get opinions on the best course of
>>>>>>>>> action in
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> this situation, not wanting to spend tens of thousands of dollars.
>>>>>>> Would list memebers give me their 2 cents worth and if possible,
>>>>>>> what
>>>>>>> the aproximate costs for the various solutions range from? I'm not
>>>>>>> sure if it makes more sence to just install new heads and hope
>>>>>>> for the
>>>>>>> best, or go full bore and swap the engine.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> What does the voice of experience say? Anyone out there have
>>>>>>>>> opinions on
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> the GoWesty performance engines vs. a Subaru transplant?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>> Todd
>>>>>>>>> '88 Westy
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>
>