Marty
of all the VW vans I've owned 62, 74, 78, 87,.... I think the 78 Champagne
edition is one of my favorites, Don't get me wrong I have never owned a van
that drives as nice as my 87 Syncro Westy (50kmiles & mint shape) but it's
really complicated compared to my 78.... & between the earlier van... the 78
has the better layout with spin around front seat (not the 74) and it's
air-cooled and not near as many parts to go wrong & replace (+ weight) I'm
sorry I sold my 78... I just ran a small ad saying "mint all records" a guy
from VW Canada called me up asked a few smart question, drove up (about
100km north of Toronto) and did a fast compression, gear, clutch, test and
paid me the full amount I was asking no quibbles. Still kind of miss it. But
every time I travel in my 87 Syncro.... Wooooa it's a better ride with more
power and I really like the extra height to clear all the gravel (snow
covered) roads I drive (live) on. I KNOW from a maintenance point of
view the 78 was less cost per mile, total ownership cost. You guys in
warmer, dryer parts of the world are lucky if you can find 78-82 Westies
with good bodies.... take care of them... they are real classics.

Rob
87 Westy SyncroGL.....Cynosure

rountree@planeteer.com