SyncroHead@AOL.COM wrote:
>
> In a message dated 98-07-15 18:24:40 EDT, kennedy@FDU.EDU writes:
>
> > Consensus of past conversations, list and elsewhere, is that
> >  VW never did six cylinder engines from the factory, altho as
> >  Joel has documented, Oettinger did a brutally expensive
> >  aftermarket six with Vanagon pistons.
>
> I'm not certain where I heard this, but I understand that this engine was
> designed by VW who decided not to use it.  Oettinger then bought the tooling
> and the rights to produce the engine.  Too bad VW never did a proper 6
> cylinder Vanagon.  I figure a few improvements to the Vanagon and it would
> have survived another 5-6 years and sold better than the Eurovan.

Isn't the biggest marketing problem with the Vanagon that it cannot have
air-bags? They are now a requirement, so is side-impact protection.
These changes probably meant it would have been as expensive to retrofit
them as to design a new vehicle.
Ever wondered why they still make many of the old vehicles for sale
overseas - they dont have all the USA regulations.