It does have a part number. I will to wait until the day’s “distance learning” sessions are over before I will be allowed back into my studio.   
  

  
Jim
  

  
  

  
  
>   
> On Aug 12, 2020 at 11:22 AM,  <Raimund Feussner (mailto:ray@v6bus.de)>  wrote:
>   
>   
>   
>  Hmmm, if it´s unique, it should have its own part number.  
> If it´s used anywhere else, we could do a parts search with its number.  
>
> The later style front slider door handle is this:  
> https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UYEAAOSwbNZc4WzX/s-l640.jpg  
> Looks very similar, from Jim´s photo I looked at...  
>
> Ready to learn something new. Can someone check the discussed handle´s P/N ?  
>
> Could be from an LT as well.  
>
> Regards  
> Raimund  
>
>
> Am 12.08.2020 um 18:16 schrieb Eric Caron:  
> >  Hi Raymond,  
> >   
> >  Nope,  
> >   
> >  This is a unique handle only used in that location. It bends out from flat then makes a handle you can pull. The front handle doesn’t do that and is a different handle.  
> >   
> >  These were on earlier vans.  
> >   
> >  Eric Caron  
> >   
> >   
> >>  On Aug 12, 2020, at 12:01 PM, Raimund Feussner  <ray@V6BUS.DE>  wrote:  
> >>   
> >>  I got Jim´s picture of the handle as well.  
> >>  Isn´t this the standard front handle, just bolted horizontally onto the  
> >>  rear of the slider door?!  
> >>   
> >>  Maybe a US special, once again  
> >>   
> >>  Regards  
> >>  Raimund  
> >>   
> >>  Am 12.08.2020 um 01:28 schrieb Jim. Felder:  
> >>>  Raimund, these are not retrofit handles. They are not regular handles. They  
> >>>  are die cast and made in two pieces with a spring between the pieces so  
> >>>  that that the handle lies flat against the door until lifted outwards by  
> >>>  the fingers so a more forceful pull can be made. They are made that way to  
> >>>  slip between the door and the body when the door is open so as not to  
> >>>  scratch the paint. I have never seen a diesel without one, don't know about  
> >>>  other models.  
> >>>   
> >>>  There is no mention of the handle in either the Owner's Manual or the  
> >>>  Camping Equipment Manual of 1983. But the door itself has a lug welded on  
> >>>  at the factory to receive the handle. Mine was purchased in German for the  
> >>>  US market.  
> >>>   
> >>>  I can take a picture if you want to see one.  
> >>>   
> >>>  Jim  
> >>>   
> >>>  On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 2:37 PM Raimund Feussner  <ray@v6bus.de>  wrote:  
> >>>   
> >>>>  Most probably all these handles were retrofitted. None of the euro  
> >>>>  Vanagons have these, and they are not mentioned in the parts catalogue.  
> >>>>   
> >>>>  Photo anyone? I wonder if they are standard grab handles, and fit  
> >>>>  between open door and C-pillar when moving door...?  
> >>>>   
> >>>>   
> >>>>  Regards  
> >>>>  Raimund  
> >>>>   
> >>>>   
> >>>>  Am 01.08.2020 um 21:32 schrieb Tom Buese:  
> >>>>>  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  
>