This length difference does sound strange.  I just measured my 85 base
model, came with rubber mats and brown vinyl interior.  Using Bill's
technique, I got the exact same number, 169 inches.  Can any late model GL
owners verify the difference?

-----Original Message-----
From: William Dummitt <williamd@COMPUSERVE.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, September 19, 1998 10:30 PM
Subject: Re: size of 87 vs. 91 vanagon

I was intrigued  by Marvin Peitz's note stating that 88-and-later GL's were
at least a foot longer than 87-and-earlier. I've owned almost every year
from 86 to 91 and never noticed a difference.  Having an 88 and an 87 in
the driveway at the moment, both GL's,I dashed out and measured them both,
headlight-to-tailight.  They were exactly the same, 169 inches.

Bill