"Matthew L. Dekker" <mdekker@eskimo.com> writes:
> Hello everyone,
> While I'm biding my time until there is a convergence of funds and product 
> availability on the Eurovan front, I've been watching a red and white bus 
> next door to my sister in law's house grow moss.
> 
> Thinking this would be a nice bridge vehicle until the EV, I was wondering 
> if I might get some direction from the list members regarding the 
> following:
> 
> 1. Where would I access the FAQ that would tell me what year this bus is? 
> My guess is that it is a mid '70s, red on the bottom, white on the top, 
> without the white "V" on the front.
Look at the VIN number, on the front of the dash and visible from outside
the windshield.  The third digit indicates the year.  Eg. the "1" in 231
would mean a '71.  It's up to you to determine the decade.  :-)

> 2. Does the FAQ contain info about relative value of busses? (For example, 
> this bus looks fairly straight and complete, but is rumored not to have the 
> engine installed.)
There is a FAQ out there covering different year busses with their pros and
cons but I don't have a copy right at hand.  Mine would probably be
outdated anyway.

> 3. Should the bus be for sale, which book(s) might you recommend for repair 
> work?
Bentley and/or Haynes.

> 4. Any tips for approaching the owner about selling his bus and negotiating 
> a price?
Just talk to them.  Even if they doesn't want to sell, you'll probably get a
nice conversation about the history of the bus, which isn't that bad a
deal, really.

Pat Walsh, '71 Westy, walshp@camry.nawc-ad-indy.navy.mil