Vernon Craddock wrote:
> I saw this ad at autotrader online:
> VANAGON, Stock No: 56146, VAN, airbags, passenger airbag,
 tilt wheel, recliner, leather seats, cruise
> control, air conditioner, trip computer, automatic climate control,
> electric seat warmer, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors,
> bucket seats, leather steering wheel, interior woodgrain look, intermittent
> wipers, power brakes, vanity mirror, side door arm rest, clock, console,
> cup holder, carpet, rear deck release, remote gas release, tachometer,
> steel wheels, rear window defroster, power antenna, pin striping, dual
> mirrors, quality tires, body side molding, am fm radio/cassett, Phone
> (562)597-6633.
>
> This must be some kind of mistake.  I haven't heard of any aftermarket
> conversions like this!  Anybody with their VIN decoders know what this is?

yup. it's a mistake, i'd bet. the used car lots use some sort of
VIN decoder, and it's seriously flawed. we've had them come
through my town with "tilt-wheel, cruise-control, and anti-lock
brakes" according to the used car sales ads. when confronted,
they bluster up and blame it on 'the computer': "well, that's how
the computer decoded the VIN!". when asked to show you the tilt
wheel and cruise control (on one that does not have it), they
claim to be just the salesman, not a mechanic: "i don't know
about those things!". sheesh!!!

the morale of this story is: don't believe everything you read.
especially in a car ad. :(

now, this particular one MIGHT have all those things. MIGHT. i
can see the leather seats, and leather steering wheel, and some
interior woodgrain being added. cup holders and power antennas
are no big deal to add. but a remote gas release? on what? and
since it says 'steel wheels', i kinda wonder about the 'body side
molding' too.

of course, the only way to find out is go look. ;)

joel