During a weekend auto-camping trip mid-island recently, I visited my good friend "konadog" who graciously agreed to trust me with a sample drive of Hazel... stipulation being that a ride impression recorded herein would be forthcoming.
I'll try to describe my impressions in the form of a comparison to the VW van I was driving at the time and I intend to replace with a Deli sometime soon. Although I wouldn't concur that "VW vans are a piece of crap" as the unmistakably proud Deli owner told me while I sat comfortably in the downstairs living-room of the Westy (to his credit he later qualified and recanted the judgment a little)... I do, though, accept that VW vans, like mine, are high-maintenance "period" pieces not without their idiosyncrasies. However, like Delicas, aspects of VW vans were extremely well engineered for their time. Their design, in the hands of those who appreciate it and are willing to invest the necessary effort for their care and feeding, will serve the owner well. Anyway, I think it's worthwhile describing my impressions of a Delica relative to the VW Van because some (like I) are considering replacing his VW with a Deli or are choosing between a Deli and a VW for his next purchase.
The contrast between the '76 Westy I was touring in and Hazel is significant. The automotive world saw much technological change in the 16 yrs. following the birth of my VW. That time was the real golden-age of The Rising Sun ... when their economy rocketed skyward, "driven" by their automotive and electronics' industries. Their vehicles evolved from skateboard-on-wheels Civics and rusty-but-trusty Celicas to Lexus's and sturdy, well designed ahead-of-their-time Delicas.
The first thing I noticed when I looked at the underside of Hazel was that she looked almost like a new vehicle. The underside was clean - not just free of rust, but nearly-new clean paint. The 2nd thing I noticed was the shockingly exposed radiator and (what I presume are the) auto-trans oil coolers. A skid-plate is forthcoming I was assured... (hmm, and you'd better do something about those even-more-exposed trans coolers). Another thing I noticed and much appreciated being a backyard wrencher is the relative vast open spaces underneath in which to work. The space around the trans and rear of the engine from below is, when compared to the VW, absolutely vacuous. The new-vehicle feeling continued when I climbed into the driver's seat. Clean, tight... everything in near perfect condition. Kind of a surreal time-warp effect when one's sitting in what he knows is a 16yr old vehicle.
After learning the diesel starting trick on the 2nd try she fired-up instantaneously. The idle-speed vibration was a surprise, but not annoying. Of course it went away as soon as the revs increased when we began moving. Notwithstanding my VW's obligatory holey muffler, the VW was still a little quieter from the driver's seat (probably because of extra engine-compartment insulation I've installed and because the Delica's engine is so close by). The VW appears to be slightly larger inside than the Delica, although the versatility of the large empty space available in the Delica when the seats are removed, including the absence of a rear engine compartment, is as an attractive feature to me as is the comfort and convenience of the Westy's interior design.
I'm not a fan of automatics and it did seem like the Delica's shifting was a little soft...but then I wasn't in a situation to be able to really "step on it" hard, so don't know for sure how solidly it shifts under load. When I get one I think I'd prefer to try for a 5 spd. Yes, they're quite rare... yes, the wife may struggle with it at first, yes maybe they rev higher at hwy speeds and, possibly, get slightly poorer fuel economy...but I like the idea of being able to bump-start it if needed (hmm...being a high compression diesel would that be a problem?)...and that there'd be no exposed trans oil coolers to worry about ...and would be straightforward to tow should (perish the thought) it come to that, etc.
Hmm...let's see... what else...oh yes, I was very impressed with the visibilty - huge vast windows and great mirror coverage as compared with the VW. I felt very aware of the road around me and felt safe. The right-hand drive wasn't an issue at all... it felt comfortable and normal. The new-vehicle-feeling theme continued while driving it as well... everything felt very solid and tight, like a new vehicle. I did notice an odd little wiggle in the front if I abruptly turned the wheel to one side and then quickly back (like one would do to avoid a pot-hole). I was traveling at about 30 kms/h when I tried this. It felt almost like the side-walls of the tires rolling, but Hazel is outfitted with very heavy-duty, sturdy tires, so I know that likely wasn't what was happening (though it may be due to the rugged/agressive off-road tread of the tires?). Anyway, a very minor effect.
I've been looking at Delicas and intending to get one for a while now. It was my first experience driving one and I'm more enthusiastic than ever about getting one. Thank you Konadog for the opportunity and I look very much to exploring the backroads together with you, Hazel and the rest of the clan once I get my ride.
- BB
- Konadog in a past life...struggling to ascend from van purgatory
- Vi93-10.JPG (133.55 KiB) Viewed 6151 times
(Only in VW's though...)
I see you have a pre-68 split there in your avitar... Nice, what year?
(sorry, couldn't resist). Now are those just the colour schemes the Germans exported to us in the New World or did they subject themselves to the same as well?
???? Very daring Konadog. 
(in the thickest Parisian french accent I can muster). 
