Hi John and others,

                John, I hope things are progressing. 

        I thought of you yesterday, when I was in line to have my 84 inspected.  A man in line asked about vanagon mechanics.  Turns out he had a synchro at home that he had turned from a tin top into an adventure wagon raised top.  Not only that, but had set up the top to raise and lower with tent walls.  So, when camped with his two children they had even more room.  That sounds kind of fun. Sadly, it is just sitting now as the motor needs work or replacement and he has not found someone to work with or made a decision.  I suspect it will sit, and when they sit, they rust and become more mechanically unsound. 

        Keep those vans rolling along!

Eric 

PS, the 84 pass a challenging VT inspection this year first try. 
But, they even checked the windshield squirters.  I’m going to need to fix that before I bring in the 85
 

> On Jul 21, 2024, at 7:29 PM, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Well, it appears I am still dealing with my Vanagon Carat with Subaru
> ENGINE, i thought the van was dead, gone, after the tree fell on it. Turns
> out it is a very good candidate for pop top conversion into a camper maybe.
> Anyone done this before? How hard are those tops to come by and
> install? And at what cost,  - both for the top and the labor.. May need a
> top shipped in. Just plain vanagons are scarce as hen's teeth around here.
> Would it be worth the effort?  Would value go up enough to justify it? Just
> thinkING. I sure would like to resurrect this van, even if I don't keep it.
> .