I don't think I ever have to worry about valet parking with the Vanagon.  We don't
take the Vanagon when we go to places like that.  Heck, we don't go to places like
that, period.  :-)  But it does remind me of the last question in the "should you own
a VW bus" quiz, as found on my web page, (D) being of course the answer for our bus:

10. A somewhat irresponsible family member asks to borrow your car. You:
A. Are a little nervous, but know that at least the car's advanced safety features
will protect the driver even in the case of an accident. That way you can savor the
pleasure of the kill yourself.
B. Suddenly remember that you've entered the Atascadero Porcupine Grooming Contest
that weekend and that you need the car to bring along your quill-removal gear.
C. Spend half an hour explaining the Ying and Yang of Bus Driving, the philosophy of
Belligerent Defensive Driving with No Crash Protection, how your butt drops out from
under you during panic stops, how it only SEEMS like you are going to tip over as you
go around corners, and how you really don't think it's a good idea for people who
have never driven a Bus to start now, because of the current political situation
downtown and the alignment of Jupiter with Mars.
D. Spend half an hour going over the details, like how to start the car on the first
three tries (using the switch that feeds the that extra 10 gauge wire), how to keep
it running without stalling until it warms up, and how the headlight switch operates
the backup lights, the bass button on the radio works the parking lights and the
heater fan, the rear defroster switch works the high beams, and of course, the heater
box that is still broken even after you changed the spark plugs so be sure to bring a
jacket and a towel to wipe the condensation off the inside of the windshield. Oh, and
don't forget NOT to push in the cigarette lighter. You don't want to know what
happens if you do that.

---

Karl and Kristina Bloss, Trexlertown, PA
'87 GL Weekender  "Beverley" -  185K miles
VW Mechanic list: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/vwshops
Busses by the Trail - Oct 15-17, 1999: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/bbtt
PA/NJ Vanagon owner's mailing list: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/pavanagon