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Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:38 am

I’m working on a business plan for my mechanic, which also happens to be an assignment for my MBA class. I’m having a real hard time figure out how many vanagons and more specifically Westys are still out there. Does anyone know how many were imported by VW in the first place?

My next stop is the DMV to see if I can find out how many are currently licensed in Washington, we’ll see if they willing to part with that info.
:?

Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:46 am

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/volkswagen-bus9.htm

Check that website out. It seems to have a breakdown of how many vanagons were imported each year.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:19 pm

Garske wrote: I’m working on a business plan for my mechanic, which also happens to be an assignment for my MBA class. I’m having a real hard time figure out how many vanagons and more specifically Westys are still out there. Does anyone know how many were imported by VW in the first place?

My next stop is the DMV to see if I can find out how many are currently licensed in Washington, we’ll see if they willing to part with that info.
:?

You could also do it by ratio. For example, if you knew the production number of a recently manufactured...very distinctive car, you could calculate the number of survivors by ration. For example, if there were exactly 1,000,000 Deloreans produced, and you see 10 Vanagons for every 1 Delorean, you can deduce that there must be close to 10,000,000 Vanagons on the road throughout the U.S. (or the World). Of course, some Delorean owners don't drive their cars, but you get my point here.

Steve

Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:34 pm

Thanks Keane, it looks like the article you posted has enough info to get me started.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 3:07 pm

don't forget it may not be how many were made, but how many are still in use. Can you get info from the DMV?

Fri Nov 14, 2008 3:18 pm

You can mark down two for me.......

Fri Nov 14, 2008 3:27 pm

McVanagon wrote: You can mark down two for me.......

I've taken one off the road forever... :cry:

Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:52 pm

Will you please share your results? I'm very curious about this!

Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:57 pm

GWTWTLW wrote: McVanagon wrote: You can mark down two for me.......

I've taken one off the road forever... :cry:

Unfortunately I've taken out two.

Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:09 pm

I own two non-Westys

I know where there is a junked non-Westy.

I know a guy who has a rust heap Westy that he purchased in Ohio.

I know a guy who is the original owner of a mint Westy.

All here in Kentucky....

And, there are about 400 here in the Samba forsale.

Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:52 pm

Im sure there is some kind of statistical formula you can use- calculating the total number made each year. Divide by some number that will give you a declining proportion on the road for each year. Any mathematicians in the house?? I am a sociologist, but the wrong kind for these sorts of calculations...

rg

Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:22 pm

foodeater wrote: GWTWTLW wrote: McVanagon wrote: You can mark down two for me.......

I've taken one off the road forever... :cry:

Unfortunately I've taken out two.

I have taken 6 passenger
Restored 3 Westfalias that were orphaned. Some die so others may live.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:52 pm

So the DOL got back to me the next day! I only got a count for the Vanagon camper models between 1980-1997; there are currently 3,962 licensed in Washington State. The most popular year is 1987 with 572, followed by 1984 and 85's tied with 491 each and 1991 coming in third with 455.

Roughly 76,000 Vanagaons were sold in the US between 1985 and 1995. (this includes all models not just campers)

Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:54 pm

So are you going to check how many for Oregon?

Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:03 pm

Based on my pop-top shock kit sales, Portland Or. has more Vanagon Westies than any other US city, BY FAR.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:05 pm

jackbombay wrote: Based on my pop-top shock kit sales, Portland Or. has more Vanagon Westies than any other US city, BY FAR.
Now that is what I am talking about!!! :!: :!: :!: :D :D :D
I personally have owned 19 Westfalia's......GottaHabit! Many were 500.00 specials which I resurrected from certain scrappage, did a few simple things and got them back on the road! It is an addiction!

I learned that I have one of 69 1974 VW Things registered in Oregon but did now know how to confirm that....Would be great if someone could find out how many Westys were in Oregon!