Vanagons have a short turning radius for easy maneuverability, and a forward driver's seat which keeps one alert to the road. During production, Vanagons were statistically the safest vehicle sold in the US.
The handling is part of what first drew me to westies, I was sold with my first test drive. Why it's pleasant and fun to drive a cumbersome box is beyond me, it just is! From '86 on, vanagons had the most powerful factory VW rear 2.1 liter "waterboxer" engine (90hp), finally water cooled allowing for an effective air conditioner and use in hot climates.
The Swiss army knife of vehicles, westies have a complete kitchen with sink, stove, and 3 way refrigerator. The Westfalia "pop-top" creates a second bedroom above and enough headroom for an NBA player to cook breakfast. There's lots of nooks, cabinets and convenient movable or removable tables, all very high quality and high tech. Westies have almost all the comforts of home.
Links
Westfalia.org: The Westfalia Owners website
Vanagon.com: The Vanagon and EuroVan community
GoWesty.com: Restoration, parts and Westies for sale
What's Westfalia making today? Michelangelo!
What's Westfalia making today? Columbus!
Wow the James Cook! (sorry, Europe only. PDF))
Quaker.org: The Religious Society of Friends
Asperger's Syndrome, a dumb name for an order (everything else is disorder)
