Later Vanagons don't have'em.  The early Vanagons had a latch at the front
edge of the door and at the rear.  You can slide the door closed gently,
and use
the rear handle to latch the door by pulling strongly inward.  The later ones
close easier -- but you have to get some velocity on the door.  I can't seem
to get my later versions to close well by gently sliding the door and pushing
(from the outside) or pulling the rear closed like I can on the old one.  But
I like the newer version a bit better, still.

Malcolm

At 08:54 PM 9/14/98 -0400, GMBulley@AOL.COM wrote:
>We just bought our first Westy... (bout time, Bulley!!!) The Immaculate 1976
>Loaf is for sale, $4,200.
>
>In getting to know our new White Westy, (an '82) I have only one question:
>WHAT is the deal with the EXTRA door handle at the inside BACK of the sliding
>door??? This runs counter to everything I have ever known of VW; "it is only
>placed on the vehicle if there is a good reason"....So why would I want a
>handle back there?
>
>help,
>
>gmbulley
>cary, nc
>