Yes, as mentioned before, I think the stock handle on the face of the door, at the rear of the door, was dropped when the sliding door redesigned around 85.

That handle fitted to a boss attached to the door substructure. The handle could be attached either vertical or horizontal .

Alistair 

> On Aug 3, 2020, at 10:30 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com> wrote:
> 
> The factory sliding door handle on earlier Vanagons. That apparently disappeared on my 85 :)
> 
> Thanks
> Jeff
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Aug 3, 2020, at 11:34 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> 
>> Mark’s sliding door handle?
>> 
>> Second page this thread
>> 
>> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=275775&highlight=sliding+door+handle
>> 
>> 
>> Alistair
>> 
>>>> On Aug 3, 2020, at 8:41 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Would love to see a picture if you happen to have one!
>>> Jeff
>>> 
>>>>> On Aug 1, 2020, at 2:32 PM, Tom Buese <tantonbz@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> My 84 has the rear handle.
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>>> On Aug 1, 2020, at 3:08 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi Jeff and others,
>>>>> 
>>>>> I’m trying to remember.  I think my 84 did but I don’t remember if my 85 does  I haven’t seen my van in over 5 months.
>>>>> I’m thinking it doesn’t have such a handle.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Something to add to my wish list!
>>>>> eRic 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Aug 1, 2020, at 1:41 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Is there?! What years? I think my dads 79 might have had one but don’t think my 85 ever did. Eric does yours? Would love to get one if it did!
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Jeff
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2020, at 4:26 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> There is a handle at the rear of the door for this purpose.  Just slide door
>>>>>>> slowly to the front and pull the handle in to engage the latch rather than
>>>>>>> slamming it.  From the outside you can push in the rear edge of the door to
>>>>>>> latch it.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Stuart