It is with some disappointment that I must report my plans
for creating the most advanced Vanagon drive system in the
world have been eclipsed.  Some my recall that I've proposed
matching the world's lowest automotive Brake Specific Fuel
Consumption region of 200 grams per kilowatt hour from a
direct injection diesel TDI motor with gearing necessary to
sustain Interstate Highway cruising speeds.  But now I've
learned that Robert Alexander has leap frogged well ahead of
these pedestrian efforts.  An early indication was revealed
when he said:
*****copy follows*****
I've picked up some US Navy surplus handheld searchlights
that
should be the answer for folks who are tired of
"overdriving" their
headlights.  These are new, smeared in cosmolene, 12"
diameter, 12vdc
mercury-vapor, 4.3MCP search lights which are guaranteed to
totally
blind folks who are bearing down upon you with their
hi-beams on OR, if
held low, provide 1,000 yard vision in dense fog/rain/snow!

I've got 'em for only $399.95 each OR $2000.00 for a set of
SIX.  I
suggest mounting three of  'em at bumper level for
fog/rain/snow use and
three mounted across the roof line for blinding those jerks
who are
blinding you with their hi-beams or illuminating the 4,000
feet of
pavement ahead of your Vanagon.

Each individual searchlight only draws 30 amps!
*****end copy*****
He postures himself to be interested in forward facing
illumination.  That's all just disinformation, intended to
obfuscate the truth.  But now I've discovered that he's well
along toward creating the first Vanagon PHOTON DRIVE!   Yes,
he's planning on mounting an entire matrix bank of these
horrendous light throwing beasts on the rear of his
Vanagon.  No more concerns about coefficient of adhesion
between his tires and the ground except for steering and
braking.   He's being pretty secretive about the power
source, but I have a short list of probable technical
accomplices.   Come clean you tech wizard guys.   We already
know who you are.
John