---
---Date:    Sat, 18 Dec 2004 11:19:19 -0800
---From:    Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
---Subject: Re: Vanagon name
---
---I go to Europe quite frequently, and I rarely see any Toyota Hiace's
---tootling around.
---
---Jeff
---

However, I travel to the Middle East, Carribean and South America.  In the
MidEast, all sorts of Toyota vans that you don't see elsewhere.  Same thing
this week in Bolivia.

Always interesting to note where Vanagons (Transporters) are seen.  In
Europe it is always the 'old' work truck.  Even the last time I was in
Germany, you don't see too many of the rear engine ones.  In Italy, it's
inevitably a work truck.  I have seen quite a few doublecabs though at
certain military airfields though.  In the Mideast, more likely to see a bay
window, as in south america (which makes sense in south america, as the Bay
was still being produced up until a few years ago)

Never forget seeing new bays in Mexico City a couple of years ago, with a
big grille in the front for a radiator (they were putting I4's in the at the
factory in Brazil).  Gosh, if I could've of figured out a way to get one
legally in the US, I would have placed the order right then and there!  They
were pretty spartan, either a stripped cargo van or a very basic passenger
config.  But it would've been new, with an I4.  Oh well, they stopped making
those last year I think.