>any ideas as to why the 5speed wasn't offered in the US???

Chris,
I think because they are terrible to drive. When you start in 1st it takes enormous long time to bring the damned stick in 2nd position. Normally you've lost all your speed then. (Maybe I'm looking through the pink automatic-glasses....)
It's unusual to have the first gear in that position and I think VW didn't want to risk problems with the normal user. The other thing is that US only got the stronger
engines (90 hp, 92/95 hp) and not the popular weak 60 / 70 / 78 hp units we mainly had in europe. This takes the need for more gears.

Best wishes
Michael Meier
Germany

58 split
77 westy
90 caravelle auto