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BlueGrasser
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2014
Posts: 562
Location: Sacramento
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 Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:25 am Post subject: Brendan Couvreux's new custom Syncro Westy |
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I'm surprised this hasn't been posted here yet. Check out Brendan Couvreux's new Syncro Westy custom built at Stephan's Auto Haus.
If I had a ton of disposable income, this is what I'd do. That thing is bad ass! 
Check out all the build pictures in the "Van" area:
http://www.aclimbingpartyoffour.com/
Here's a write up on the custom interior done by Rhino Designs as well:
http://rhinodesignstudio.com/couvreux-custom-westy/
I think Tom hired the wrong crew 
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Going to where the grass is bluer...
1985 Vanagon Westfalia Camper with 1.8T |
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ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6360
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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photogdave
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 3053
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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BlueGrasser
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2014
Posts: 562
Location: Sacramento
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 11:20 am Post subject: |
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| photogdave wrote: |
Is this guy a celeb or something?
Why are you surprised there haven't been any posts? There are plenty of sweet vans out there that don't have their own Samba threads! |
Or something. He's pretty well known in the rock climbing world, and apparently did a stint at American Ninja, though I must admit I don't watch the show.
Excuse me for pointing out a sweet van. 
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Going to where the grass is bluer...
1985 Vanagon Westfalia Camper with 1.8T |
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photogdave
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 3053
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 11:28 am Post subject: |
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| BlueGrasser wrote: |
| photogdave wrote: |
Is this guy a celeb or something?
Why are you surprised there haven't been any posts? There are plenty of sweet vans out there that don't have their own Samba threads! |
Or something. He's pretty well known in the rock climbing world, and apparently did a stint at American Ninja, though I must admit I don't watch the show.
Excuse me for pointing out a sweet van. |
Just asking. No need for the eye-roll. 
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89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS
My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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BlueGrasser
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2014
Posts: 562
Location: Sacramento
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 11:32 am Post subject: |
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| photogdave wrote: |
| BlueGrasser wrote: |
| photogdave wrote: |
Is this guy a celeb or something?
Why are you surprised there haven't been any posts? There are plenty of sweet vans out there that don't have their own Samba threads! |
Or something. He's pretty well known in the rock climbing world, and apparently did a stint at American Ninja, though I must admit I don't watch the show.
Excuse me for pointing out a sweet van. |
Just asking. No need for the eye-roll. |
I felt the same way about the perceived tone of your post. I guess the internet is just not the same as chatting fireside over a cold beer.
It's all good though. 
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Going to where the grass is bluer...
1985 Vanagon Westfalia Camper with 1.8T |
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Bills85Westy
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2009
Posts: 423
Location: Napa CA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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I did see this van at Stephans and I follow them on Instagram. That thing is sweet!
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89 Tristar Syncro Doka - White
85 Westfalia Syncro (conversion)
SAH 1.8T Conversion - 2005 AWP
Engine Conversion Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612144&highlight=
85 Doka L345 Grey - 1.9L |
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Farfrumwork
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2008
Posts: 692
Location: Mile High
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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I'm happy to see that they chopped the center brace, to clearance for the driveshaft, the same way I did in my conversion. I keep thinking of adding a supplemental arched-brace across the span, but it's probably fine as-is 
Nice van for sure! I like the grey a LOT - but I'm still not sold on bedliner applications  
Again - sweet rig! 
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sold  -> '85 Wolfsburg Syncro / 'Built' DOHC EJ25 (a great machine!)
'07 Legacy spec.B, road tuned stgII
'17 4x4 Sprinter, stone grey, SMB pop-top, on 33"s
"Blood stains, speed kills - Fast cars, cheap thrills - Rich girls, fine wine - I've lost my sense, I've lost control, I've lost my mind" |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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Clearly that's a well designed and put together Syncro, but it also has that Matchbox toy look going that seems to be all the rage with contemporary unlimited budget 4x4 builds
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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The interior gives me tons of ideas.
Nicely done.
SAH does great work and are coming to the forefront of full service "Vanagon".
I know of two SAH 1.8t turnkeys coming East for installation.
IIRC they are the 83rd and 84th they have done.
I love it! |
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RaraBlacksheep
Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2014
Posts: 191
Location: Portland
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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| ALIKA T3 wrote: |
| why the hell would you install a foot pump for the sink?? |
One less thing to fail? I've considered revamping my water setup with a manual pump of some sort for that reason. Can't be left on either, probably not a bad idea with 4 people going climbing in remote places, and half of which are young kids..
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'82 Westy - Shark Weak |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3119
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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| RaraBlacksheep wrote: |
One less thing to fail? |
Gosh, I don't know. They have that SS water jug for drinking water AND a water heater for showers. What would be the worst to happen if the sink pump failed, have to wash dishes using a pot of water fed from the shower?
I'm puzzled by that one but there must be a decent reason.
That interior is beautiful. Makes me consider pulling mine and redoing it. I especially like the BIG drawer to access the bench seat storage area.
Did you guys see the spice rack cubby closer doors for sale on Rhino's website? Pretty cool although I might get tired of seeing "stuff" there after a while.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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BlueGrasser
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2014
Posts: 562
Location: Sacramento
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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| SCM wrote: |
| RaraBlacksheep wrote: |
One less thing to fail? |
Gosh, I don't know. They have that SS water jug for drinking water AND a water heater for showers. What would be the worst to happen if the sink pump failed, have to wash dishes using a pot of water fed from the shower?
I'm puzzled by that one but there must be a decent reason.
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As a parent of two, I can understand. You'd be amazed how much water kids can waste just brushing their teeth. Then there's the soap up to wash your hand first technique to save water, that leaves you trying to turn the water on with slippery soapy hands.
I like the funnel setup they have for refilling the tank via buckets of water from a river. I may have to steal that idea 
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Going to where the grass is bluer...
1985 Vanagon Westfalia Camper with 1.8T |
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RainierSyncro
Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2013
Posts: 809
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Wow, the interior looks like something out of a high-end Seattle condo. The shiny bedliner stuff covering the bumpers and rear racks make it look like it's been slathered in sticky tree sap. Probably looks better in person and not with flash photography. |
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ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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I had the opportunity to check out this van in person a few weeks ago. Pretty sweet! Lots of details about it on his website for those who want to know more.
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4492
Location: Richmond VA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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That little red bike kind of kills the macho attitude.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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Skidub
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2014
Posts: 204
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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That's very cool. How much does a full build like that cost?
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86 Syncro GL Tin Top
Subaru 2.5L Swap
Rblt Transaxle w/ R Locker + Decoupler |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7477
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Skidub wrote: |
| That's very cool. How much does a full build like that cost? |
As they say, if you have to ask...
But since you did, I'll toss out some ideas +/- 15%:
2WD van: $6K
Donor synchro: $9K
Engine: $20K
Paint: $15K
PopTop conversion: $10K
Suspension: $10K
Interior: $15K
Incidentals: $15K
Total: $100K
There's some overlap as in paint and pop-top but $85K - $115K seems like a reasonable starting point.
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Skidub
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2014
Posts: 204
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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Pretty sure this fella was just on American Ninja Warrior, which makes two Vanagon Westy owners on the show now, but I'm guessing Brendan doesn't eat out of the dumpster like the other dude. #syncroninja 
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86 Syncro GL Tin Top
Subaru 2.5L Swap
Rblt Transaxle w/ R Locker + Decoupler |
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ThankYouJerry
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Skidub wrote: |
| Pretty sure this fella was just on American Ninja Warrior... |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC71_avmtq8
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD
Last edited by ThankYouJerry on Mon Sep 07, 2015 9:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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