>>I am the original owner of a 1973 Ghia Vert. It has ~95K on the ORIGINAL
>>clutch (all components). I do drive conservatively, and have always
>>"tapped" the transmission into neutral upon coming to a stop. By "tapped",
>>I mean easing up on the accelerator pedal and just tapping  the gear shift
>>lever into neutral without depressing the clutch pedal at all.

This is what I usually do.  I got to 103K miles on my '81 with the
original clutch.  Replace the clutch with the rebuilt motor at that
time.

I remember is the 60's, however, the stern warnings about sitting at
a stop with the clutch depressed.  The throwout bearing on those
earlier VWs was just a sleeve bearing or something and didn't wear
well.  I think this advice has colored VW ownership ever since.

                                Richard A. Jones
                                Boulder, Colorado
                                '81 Vanagon "Mr Bus"