Dear BAM

So sorry to hear this -
Been there -had the BAM - actually flattened after falling off the road in
What's Sa Matter, Why O Ming and it was 2009 - and we still miss her every
single day -
Anyway enough about me -
Did I mention our van also fell off the road - the roof got pushed right
down to the top of the main cabin seats and headrests were squished
sideways and flat -
Anyways --
David McNeely is one hundred % right - the insurance can be a disaster -
especially cause many insurers view they vans as either specialtyVehicles
should be in museums or some sort of station wagon - because that was how
these were imported back in the day - as station wagons -- SO - When we
crashed we had an stated value of $36,000  - Insurer offer $3000 - WTF !
WTF! WTF !
We sat in a well known "Westy"  office in a California town while "Friend
to all things Westy"  spoke to our Insurance adjuster - the conversation
went very down hill - quickly - words were had - receivers were banged -
there may have been some words beginning with F spoken by what would
otherwise have been a gentlemen - the adjuster found it hard to believe
that these treasures are selling for north of 60K USD -

I digress - so when the underwriter sent a woman over to interview us - I
agreed that she should come and visit me in lawyers office -
She really did not like the idea of going to lawyers office - said we don't
need lawyers in this --
She came and after that visit in lawyers board room - overlooking the
Beautiful Strait of Georgia - the insurer offered what we initially paid
for her -
which was enough to start over again - $21K
But the new van which was an old van - and even though in really great
condition - she never grabbed us -
(Thanks Peter in Chico you were a blessing)
She sat in our yard - unhappy with a reasonably new boxer engine (We drove
all night to Stephan's Auto Haus to fetch ) -
She sat until she was green with moss -
I cleaned it up with a pressure washer and We ended up selling to some
friends who were having a bad day - super good price - lots of traded stuff
- sigh
Did I mention we miss the one we lost in What's Sa Matter Why O Ming - we
miss her every day --

You sir should if you can - fix yours up -- I have no Idea what city you
are in or if you have much of a shop  -
I wish I had parts to send you but I gave all my spare parts to the new
owners - they then went and had her fully restored at a local body shop -
drove her around with grand kids and lambs and hay - cause they have a
sheep farm - the family later split and the she took her cause she was such
a magnificent vehicle now --

Good luck sir -- Dont let insurance beat you down - threaten lawyers to the
other side and then make good on the threat -
Our vans deserve the very best we can give them because there is no one
else - no one else at all -
except those who have one- had one or are on a list to get one --
PS - I am glad you were not hurt - Godspeed in your mission

On Wed, Apr 12, 2023 at 5:59 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

> Saturday I was patiently waiting in left hand turn lane at light; I moved
> across the limit line, well into intersection.  Light changed from green to
> yellow, opposing traffic in slow lane stopped.  I continued on my left hand
> turn.  Out of nowhere, a black Tesla in fast lane raced to try to make the
> light....came out of nowhere (those Teslas are fast accelerating).  BAM!
> Hit passenger door.  My Vanagon spun around, and also got Passenger side
> rear quarter hit.  So, crumpled up Passenger door and stuff underneath,
> windshield broken too.  Tesla driver said to me, "I'm so sorry, it's all my
> fault, we were in a hurry, any neck or back pain?"  Cops came.  No police
> report, they just instructed us to exchange information.  Mine is a Tintop,
> super excellent condition, Subie 2.2 conversion, new tranny too.  I haven't
> taken to shop for estimate, but my guess is $9K+.  My insurance requested
> photos; exterior, interior, I also sent then $15K invoice for the total
> Subie conversion.  Not sure if stuff can be "pulled out".  I do know of a
> guy with a backyard of junk Vanagons....including door.  Maybe sawsall
> stuff from a junk Vanagon and weld into place.  And that's only the front
> end!  Rear damage included barely allowing Hatch to open.  It's a mess.
> Wish I could post photos.  Advice?
>

-- 
roger whittaker 604.414.6266

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