I went to the local VW dealership in Salem, MA a few years back (when they were there) to pick up a part.  I parked in the lot out front and a group of salespersons come out and asked me who made my vehicle and where I got it.  They had never seen a Vanagon, never mind a Westy, or heard of them, or knew anything about them.  Including the fact that the engine was in the back.  So much for VW history taught to salesmen,
By the way, they thought it was a very cool van.
Dave B.the boston one

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tue, Dec 28, 2021 4:42 pm
Subject: Re: wallaced

Hi Pete,  your van sounds Great!  I hope you share more in the future. 

        It sounds like we made similar upgrades on our buses. 

I’ve had the same question asked of me recently.  Is that a new van?  Where can I get one? 

        When I explain it is 37 years old and not made since 1991 the folks seemed shocked. 

This happened more when my paint was refreshed.  Less so when it is not shined up. 

So, I try to keep shiny.

Eric Caron 

> On Dec 28, 2021, at 2:41 PM, Peter Cobb <careyid1@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Hi all and happy new year.
> i just couldnt help but respond,  i usually just look and never respond
> because i am not very mechanically minded
> I had my first vw vanagon in 1987 . was a 85 with a sun roof, took it to
> Alaska , for 2 month  put on 6k miles  sold it with 174 k miles.  purchased
> an 87 westfalia , had it for several years,  then wanted a syncro.  bought
> 91 . in VT, drove it back to california .  i spent thousands on it ,
> decided to sell it , very expensive to maintain.  got an offer for i
> couldnt refuse.. I bought my last 91 vw vanagon,put in  new 2.3 go westy
> engine, new paint. 16 in wheels . up date brakes  propex heater, solar .
> inverter  have almost everything a westfalia has . but better ride .  I am
> 82 years young and when people see my van they always comment, nice van,
> is it new .  especially the young ones. you dont see a lot of these vans on
> the road any morel  i think ill keep it for a while ,  might sell it when i
> get a little older
> peter cobb