On a recent trip long distance trip this weekend of driving for 14+ hours
straight thru deserts, over mountains, and such I decided that my 86 Westy
is no longer fit for long distance travel in these types of situations.
The combination of normal wear and tear for a 16 YO vehicle combined with
the engineering flaws that the vanagon has have made the vehicle
unpractical and unsafe for this type of use.  I estimate that I would have
to spend at least $7,000 to make my vanagon fit for this type of use
(engine conversion, new coolant lines, brakes, etc).

So my newest pipe dream is to buy a late model full size american van
preferably a work van with a sliding side door and fit the westfalia
camping interior from a vanagon westy inside.  I would have a poptop put
in by one of the american van camper conversion companies (GTRV or
Sportsmobile) and take the full Westy Interior out of a junked vanagon
Westy.  The result would hopefully be a hybrid that has shares the
excellent layout of the Westfalia with the durability, and practicality of
a late model american van.

Anyone ever seen in done?  Any ideas?

Andrew Fox
86 Westy
Ft. Collins CO