I'm a recent joinee of the mailing list, so please pardon me if this topic has
been discussed before...

Volkswagen of South Africa apparently has been making Vanagons (called
Microbus or Caravelle depending on model) up until this year(?) (The new 99
Caravelle is front engined, so it isn't a vanagon...)

The question becomes, now that folks in the US can trade with South Africa
(legally), does this open up a parts resevoir for Vanagon parts? The Caravelle
model, for instance, in South Africa features a 5 cylinder engine, something
that wasn't offered (to my knowledge) in the US. The radiator is also full
body width (as opposed to be about a foot short on either end, like mine.) The
Bus models feature round headlights, the Caravelle rectangular.

I'd love to retrofit my Vanagon with Power windows and locking (and remote
keyless control too.) The ability to gain factory parts for this seems
attractive.

Oh, and for what it is worth, I was doing some conversions...A top of the line
Caravelle runs about $31K (US), in South Africa.