Invisible Mods

A classic vehicle (or any work of industrial art, be it toaster, building, or a stick of furniture) which has been updated should not show it. This is against the 'keep it stock' crazies who would prefer to accept the limitations and maintenance headaches of keep all portions of the technology in the past. I wish them well. I don't intend to emulate them, but they're off having fun with their wheels, so why should it worry me?

When you provide material or functional updates to a vehicle that improve its power, reliability or maintenance cycle, they shouldn't stick out. Otherwise, you're either building a Frankenstien's monster, or a Hot Rod. Men who have hair transplants don't part their mop so you can see the scars. The same goes with breast augmentation: avoid showing the scars, because the scars say: "This isn't as all-natural as you think it is. It has become a pastiche of past glory and present functionality."

The VW has been a frequent target for augmentation. Perhaps that is a good thing, because it certainly means that they're often still on the road, and options exist for keeping them on the road when stock parts no longer exist for them. Still, there are technology improvements which are useful, desirable, increase safety or comfort and do not rub the viewer's nose in the fact that the vehicle has been augmented.

So here's a nice one to keep in the back pocket: If your wiper assembly has the extra contact for Intermittent, a Vanagon part might be in order. See the following:

Vanagon GL models came prewired for intermittent windshield wiper operation. If this feature was fitted as original, the wiper switch will click into a 4th position and relay #19 will allow the wipers to wipe at a fixed interval.

However, if the intermittent relay was not fitted as original, then a small plastic tab will be found in the wiper switch on the steering column stalk which prevents the lever from entering the intermittent position.


The intermittent feature is great, but there are times when the interval needs to be shorter or longer than the preset. Fortunately there are relays available (used from other vehicles or new from suppliers) which will plug right into the relay panel in place of the original #19.