On Sat, Sep 27, 2014 at 1:39 AM, SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott ) <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
The short version and bottom line is,
87 is the first year with 'all the important changes finally done.'

t

  Somewhat off the original posters question,  and a personal opinion
only________

  If there was a basic 84 in perfect shape and a 91 in perfect shape with
all the bells and whistles, side by side, there for my choice...and I
didn't have to think about reselling eventually  and both had identical
aftermarket conversion engines...there would be no hesitation on my part,
I'd take the 84 in a heartbeat.

   As has been mentioned on this thread, weight and systems-complexity
increased as the model years progressed.  I don't find either of those
desirable at all----- quite the contrary for me.  I  looked for quite a
while to find a van without the bells and whistles.

  One of the main reasons I like Vanagons  (the old  ones) is their very
simplicity,  their bottom-line utility.  I find driving them  is fun
because they are light and nimble for a van, and I feel like I am actually
involved in the process of guiding it through the countryside.  I like
being able to maintain them with very basic tools or complete most repairs
on my own no matter where I am and without maxing out my credit card..

   I suppose that if I lived in a metro-area and did mostly city and
freeway driving I might prefer to be less "involved" with my driving
environment...Automatic shifting,  AC, power windows, power steering, fancy
stereos, power locks...all those widgets, those are  probably  desirable
there, but I prefer not maintaining those systems nor carrying the weight
around every day in my van.

   When I hear of grinding up a grade in second gear with one eye on the
temp gauge, oil light glowing and the heater on to lower coolant
temps...then I question the value of all the extra stuff in the
vanagons...Of course, a well maintained one with a newer motor or a
conversion, one with all the systems working perfectly, AC blowing cold,
Cruise Control driving,  video on in the backseat for the kids, heading to
The Lake, or wherever...who could fault that?