Hmmm.  Can’t speak to the energy absorbing aspects, I never got excited about physics.  My spare tire is there so I can swap it on and drive out of the dingleweeds if I blow a tire.  It’s up front lying flat like that because the conventional place in the rear that spare tires had been lying flat like that for decades is occupied by an engine.  And if I were to run head-on into something, that spare tire is not between me and the something, so I think I’ll continue my long practice of avoiding that circumstance.

From: Rob
Sent: Thursday, April 1, 2021 3:05 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Spare tire location

The vanagon spare tire laying flat right up front like that is there to
absorb energy when you run into something.

Rob
Vwrobb@gmail.com