In a message dated 5/12/99 10:21:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time, vw4x4@FYI.NET
writes:

<<   Personally I think theives don't want vanagons.
 Just what is in them. Being as big as they are, they
 figure there is something of value inside. If they are
 stealing a vehicle for a ride, a Vanagon many get
 a little to complicated, because they are not common
 as the average GM or ford, produce on the market. If they
 are looking to sell parts, well they are going to have
 a hard time figuring out who wants what and what it
 is worth, and even hidding the shell. So they just
 take what is inside.
        >>

i've found this to be true also..  i've known a few people (Ron Salmon of the
Bus Depot being one) who have had their Westys broken into, and all the
cabinet doors literally ripped open (i guess the thieves couldnt figure out
how to push the little buttons on the westy doorlatches), everything
ransacked, stereo components stolen, and other items of value, but never the
van itself.
it's bad enough that they steal things, but trashing the interior in the
process of trying to get what they want, usually creates the biggest loss.

chris