Stephan's Dream Syncro on display in Auto Show

[mikedelgado]

Congrats! Stephan. Nice work on this beast. I imagine it is the only vanagon in the entire show.

Info taken from Stephan's website:

1990 Syncro fully loaded and then some. Under the deck lid is a 340hp / 320 ft. lbs. of torque 1.8T Stage III+ APR sipping on gas. It's Amazing to drive. Rear wheel Disc Brakes and upgraded Fronts.

That is a 32" monitor and speakers outside the sliding door for campground movies. Inside there is a 19" LED monitor mounted to the roof. The entire interior is covered with Suede grey material and all panels are insulated with Roadkill sound proofing.

The Dash was completely reworked to except a Double Din Pioneer system with Navigation built in and Reverse Camera.

It goes on and on. This Dream Syncro is iPod-iPhone everything ready. Mini-Mac is also installed that runs all monitors including the dash unit.

[NorCalbuggy]

OK, where?
_________________
"Steam seems to have killed all gratitude in the hearts of sailors"

1987 Westfalia Vanagon - "Clifford"
Max & Andrew

[mikedelgado]

[2doorsdown]

That is beautiful!

[madspaniard]

dual stock propane tanks (like my Westy )
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[climberjohn]

I love everything except the TV and computer monitors. Remove the screen bling and we have a winner.
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

[dredward]

Lovely!!!!
_________________
Cars owned: 1979/89 scirraco, 1983 gti, 1984 gti, 1986 gti, 1990 gli, 1989 cabriolet(2.0,16v conversion), 1992 gti, 1982 Westy, 1987 syncro Westy(w/ 1.8t conversion stg1 chip), and finally 2004 r32....

[jkidd152]

Any more pics?
_________________
'85 Westy 2wd Automatic - Suby 2.5 DOHC
'77 Yamaha 650 XS

[VWhead]

Nice !

Lets see that Turbo !
_________________
81' Single Cab Syncro 1.8T GMW
88' 2wd Westy 1.8T GMW
---------------------------------------------

[Steelhead]

Great Vanagon builder. Sick engine upgrade and interior refurb. Screen not my cup of tea. Can't be what Stephan really uses...probably put the screen in to please the autoshow crowd. Can't think of anything I would want less than a big screen in my rig.
_________________
'77 Bay Window / '89 Wolfsburg (the Stormtrooper) / '05 c240 4matic wag

[canasync]

[mikedelgado]

I believe the screen is light weight with an instant easy release so it comes out, it is not a permanent fixture but can be easily be installed for tailgating or whatever or just as easily pulled out and left at home. Also it folds on an articulating arm mount so that it can be rotated and flipped to hide out of site behind passenger seat so you can't see it if for some reason it was left in and needed to be parked. That way would be thieves would not readily see it. So it is an option that can be used when needed or yanked when not needed or hidden out of site.

More importantly the screens will be used for medical purposes the vehicle is enabled to download radiology images or upload images if needed that will be transmitted from a variety of mobile imaging centers. The monitors will allow for interpretation of medical ct scans, MRI images and X-rays. So if you are a physician and want to camp to get away from it all but also have to work a little you could have your work transmitted to you and read your films and transcribe the findings all from the comfort of your syncro in the middle of the woods next to no-one. No signal? Satellite can be enabled if needed.

The vehicle will be used on medical missions as well and the Syncro will also be stocked with medical supplies to enable search and rescue and a variety of other medical capabilities that will allow in field treatment on multiple levels. You may see this ride as a medic vehicle providing healthcare in America or elsewhere. It will be a Doctors Without Borders type vehicle for volunteer service medical missions used in underserved populations in and outside the USA.


There is also a middle bench seat that slides in and out with the same concept that it can be used or left behind depending on the intended use. It makes a great couch at a camp out or can be left at home if there is no need for the extra seating. I think the concept is that the syncro can be modified to fit the bill for multiple scenarios; medical service, camping, tail gaiting, road trips, daily driver, etc.


I have seen the vehicle and it is one slick piece of art that exudes the genius of Stephan's talent and easily transforms for different uses but best of all it has the HP and torque to deliver if needed and with all the sound proofing it is quiet on the inside. I think Stephan has pushed the envelop with this ride.

[Beetsport]

Thanks everyone for your comments!

This Syncro is on display at the Sacramento Autorama this weekend for it's entertainment system. It's shown in Pavilion building # 3 if anyone local wants to check it out. Much more pictures will be posted soon or take your own.
_________________
'90 Syncro Westy 1.8T, 240HP (223 ft.tq @ Wheel) 180HP version CA safe...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1374676
http://www.stephansautohaus.com/VWVANAGONDIVISION/VWVanagonConversionEngines.aspx
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=217285

[mikedelgado]

Did anybody get a chance to go to Autorama in Sacramento, if so did you see Stephan's work of art? I did not go to the event.

Here is an interior picture of the "Dream Syncro" that was at Autorama. I found it on another website. The monitor on the ceiling folds back up against the ceiling when not in use or needed.

[mikedelgado]

I heard that Stephan's work was a big hit at the show. Lots of people gawking at the Vanagon despite the classic all american vehicles surrounding it.

[climberjohn]

Mike,

Thanks for the explain about the reasons for the monitors.

The fact that it can do duty as working medical rig changes my opinion a bit.

I have full respect for Stephan's shop and his work in forging the 1.8 turbo as a viable engine option for many of us, esp those in CA.

It's an amazing van to inspire most of us!

-CJ
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

[Beetsport]

Okay. Enough of the cell phone pictures.. Thanks for all your comments. The Dream Syncro will have several uses.

I really dig how the dash unit came out. Ash tray (or stuff holder..) is removed but I'm already over it with the very nice Pioneer Double Din layout. The material is Jet Ski seat material called Griper.



Office on wheels. Very nice office on wheels. Or for other electronic entertainment. All can be driven by an iPad or Mac Mini or iPhone.




Check out the curtains. Made out of the same Recaro seat material.








1.8T Engine Conversion. Yes, I did this one too This 1.8T has a bolted on Stage 3+ Turbo kit from APR. The Exhaust system made from Stainless Steel and is 3" wide from Turbo to tail pipe and his a Hi-Flow Catalytic converter. You won't catch me running without a cat..
For turbo air cooling there is a Water over Air Inter-Cooler that runs a separate cooling system located in the front. There is also an after-run cooling pump that circulates engine coolant through the entire cooling system until a temp sensor switches if off. Most 1.8T GTI's have this feature too.
Dyno'ed at the wheels = 272hp with 91 octane fuel. No internal modifications are needed. All bolt on



Engine looks a little packed in there. No Copying.. .... Drivability is great. All that power is not used under normal driving conditions. This being said the fuel mileage is still better than the original Water-boxer engine.
_________________
'90 Syncro Westy 1.8T, 240HP (223 ft.tq @ Wheel) 180HP version CA safe...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1374676
http://www.stephansautohaus.com/VWVANAGONDIVISION/VWVanagonConversionEngines.aspx
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=217285

[danfromsyr]

while I generalyl agree that the reason for a vanagon camper is to get away from it all. there are certain valid times/travel that have put me int he market for a 22~26" LED TV for the camper.
this past fall we took a Foliage trip into New Hampshire & Vermont and with the chilly/rainy/frosty nights with Dark @ 6~7pm it really makes for a long night when you head to bed at 8pm because it's too crappy out for a campfire. where a nice movie or such would at least push bedtime to ~10pm..
I mean I can do an 8-9pm bedtime on occasion, but not for a few days straight.. ..

my Kitchen is in need of a 22~26" LED TV anyways, so it'll be there unless a trip warrents it, the swingarm mount stows nicely behind the curtain by the window when not in use..
_________________
VW Club of Central New York SPRING VW GTG
Upstate NY 2013 VWCCNY events
NY State VW Camping 2013 season events

[copescobra]

Great Job Stephan--integrity along with good quality work is why my Westy always ends up at Stephan's shop.

Now the big question as I think we all agree it is the best of breed...

What is, or would be, the cost to actually be the proud owner of such a beast??

Just wonder if I have any equity left in the house for a loan of sorts.....
_________________
1987 Westy Camper
1970 Boss 302
1965 Sunbeam Tiger
2000 Type R Integra
1967 Alfa Duetto
1972 BMW Tii

[bosruten]