Thanks Eric,
'
I'll keep you and everyone posted on what happens next. There could be a
resurrection.

On Thu, Jul 4, 2024 at 10:20 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:

> Hi John,
>
>         I’m very sorry to hear this happened.  I know you have been a long
> term lover of the vanagon.  I share your spirit.  Still I know there will
> come a time I need to let mine go.  But, sometimes I think it is time and
> yet I soldier on.
>
>         I’m sure this is a terrible shock.  I’d recommend you take your
> time.  Maybe the van is done, or maybe it can get a new roof and interior
> parts.  All depends on the body damage and insurance company.
>
>         I also, ask, that if they total it consider seeing if you can keep
> the salvage.  A a person with good skills and little money may be able to
> put it back on the road.  I know VW bus people like that.
>
> Also, recently, a friends clean healthy Westfalia was totaled by a semi.
> He kept the salvage and with the insurance purchased a replacement
> Westfalia.
>         He then found lots of folks in need of Westfalia parts, and for
> minimal cost handed out tons of hard to find parts from his totaled van.
> My vans are both healthier because of him.  He had the real old VW sharing
> philosophy.
>
>         So, there may be a silver lining to your situation.
>         I know lots of folks with good vanagon skills and good roofs, but
> rusted out bodies.
> Hopefully yours can be fixed and even get a nice paint job.  But if not.
> Someone is likely able to invest many hours to bring it back.
>
> I’m a optimist.
>
>         John, thank you for the years of stories, advice, and VW bus
> spirit.  And also for keeping the memory of Uncle Joel strong.
>
> Warmly,
>
> Eric Caron
>
>
> > On Jul 3, 2024, at 11:31 PM, OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> >
> >        Saying that’s a major huge bummer is a major huge understatement ~
> >
> > & interesting to Me that You “would never have thought” as I think about
> it
> >
> > a lot > We get big winds here often & My 90Westy VDubaru sits beneath the
> >
> > branches of My neighbors 60ft tall Afghan Pine ~
> >
> >                                                        ORR ~ DeanB
> >
> >
> >
> >> On 1 Jul , 2024, at 11:54 AM, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> It has happened - and  in a way I would never have thought of in a
> million
> >> years.
> >>
> >> My wonderful 1991 Blue Carat with new 2.5L Subaru engine was killed
> when a
> >> huge tree split, and 1/2 of that tree fell on the van, crushing in the
> >> top,  and at the same time destroying the internal air conditioning
> system.
> >>
> >> Given age of the vehicle, difficulty in getting parts, no shop in this
> >> region wants to take it on for repair. Almost dead certain the
> insurance co
> >> will write it off.
> >>
> >> I'm so sad. This was to be my last Vanagon.
>