TheSamba.com :: View topic - Prototype Syncro T3?.. does anyone know any more?

Sun Mar 24, 2013 11:54 am

I've just spotted this on FB.

It looks like a brochure photo but the spare wheel carrier is a one off, the spoiler on the tailgate is different (!) and I've never seen the Atiwe keyhole alloys on anything other than the Tristar Syncro in Brochures.

Does anyone know any more? or have any more photos?

MG

Sun Mar 24, 2013 12:48 pm

I've never seen that photo before, Michael. It looks like it's a Syncro in Caravelle Carat trim judging by the two tone headliner, location of the middle seat headrest (swiveling captain's chair I think) and the full body trim package. The red color looks unique too. I have a feeling those keyhole wheels were a VW approved accessory wheel kind of like the Ronal R9.

Nice find. It looks great.

David

Sun Mar 24, 2013 12:56 pm

I'm not convinced about the Carat seats... the rear headrests look to all be for the rear seat to me with the right hand one further up than the other two.. but I could be wrong :wink:

The credit for this photo goes (as ever) to Christoph Boltze. Christoph has more brochures and documents on VWs than anyone else that I know. He's the most knowledgeable person I know on stuff like this and the best bit... he's happy to share it with everyone :D

Yes the Atiwe Keyhole wheels were listed within the Tristar Syncro brochure as VW option, a 16 x 7 wheel. I have a set at home 8)

I don't know what is in the top corners at the back of the van (inside).. maybe period directional speakers?

It almost looks like there's a button on the end of the tailgate spoiler!

MG

Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:27 pm

It's hard to get a clear view of the speakers through the glass, but I think those are the standard "inverted periscope" speakers that our US spec vans had with factory stereo prep, but no rear AC.

Good point on the rear seat headrests. There wouldn't be three in a row if it was a Caravelle Carat. There would only be two - and they'd be Audi 100 style headrests, not standard T3 units. They do seem to have the Carat style cushions in the middle, though.

What do you think regarding the color? It looks metallic, but I think it's too dark to be Titian Red.

Yes, I've noticed Christoph Boltze' name in the archive section here for a lot of VW brochure submissions. Great resource.

D

Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:33 pm

SyncroGhia wrote:

It almost looks like there's a button on the end of the tailgate spoiler!

MG

Looks like it could possibly a ski rack type device to me.

Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:37 pm

Good point re colour, I'd love to know what year the van is.

The rear track would suggest spacers.. I'd be interested to know if the sliding door would open with them sitting out where they are.

Electric mirrors (going by them being colour coded), a rear wiper and rear light blenders but with non-colour coded bumpers and side planks is a strange combination. I think I can just make out a sunroof at the front too. Sliding side windows and opening 1/4 lights give you just about all of the options that you could have.

MG

Sun Mar 24, 2013 2:25 pm

Christopher Schimke wrote: SyncroGhia wrote:

It almost looks like there's a button on the end of the tailgate spoiler!

MG

Looks like it could possibly a ski rack type device to me.

Aah.. ok I didn't think of that.

Have you seen any more of these fitted?

MG

Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:32 am

That bus is briefly refered to on the ig-syncro16 website, in an article on spare wheel carriers, using the very same pic.

It is referred to as a Caravelle Carat Syncro, although I agree that the head rests indicate otherwise. The tailgate "spoiler" is a fuel canister carrier according to the ig-syncro16.

I have searched for other pics of this very unique bus, but have found none...

Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:39 am

Thanks for the info.. do you have a link to the post on ig16?

It's fairly hard to search in german :wink:

MG

Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:52 am

http://www.ig-syncro16.de/wiki/Prototyp_Reserveradtr%C3%A4ger_VAG_Deutschland

The text goes: Quote: Der rote syncro ist heute vermutlich nicht mehr existent, es handelte sich um eine Caravelle Carat syncro, welche im Geschäftsbericht der Volkswagen AG von 1986 zu sehen war. Die abgebildeten Träger wurden damals bei der Abteilung Forschung und Entwicklung in Zusammenarbeit mit der Kundendienstwerkstatt in Hannover extra für diese Busse hergestellt. Es handelt sich jeweils um Einzelstücke.

Meaning: The red syncro does probably not exist today. It is a Caravelle Carat syncro, that was seen in company use at Volkswagen AG I 1986. The spare wheel carrier was made in cooperation with the research and development department and the customer service. It is a "one of a kind".

Mon Mar 25, 2013 4:16 am

Ah, great info.

It's interesting to see the prototypes of the spare wheel carriers.

I'm sure that something must remain of that van.. but I wonder if it's hidden in the VW archives dungeon :lol:

Thanks again

MG

Mon Mar 25, 2013 4:49 am

The red syncro, the blue one, the safari (from the IAA 1985) one and the white one (Weltenbummler syncro (Automuseum Wolfsburg)were built in 1985 in the "Kundendienstwerkstatt" in Hannover. They all were handmade or had handmade accessory.

Maybe there existed more prototype cars.

Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:20 am

I found one more:

Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:20 am

Ah hello Christoph :)

I was hoping that you would post.

I saw the white syncro prototype when Christian brought it to Vanfest a few years ago and put in the display I organised :) A very cool bus. I think he brought it to Syncro 25 as well but I can't remember.

Edit: as you've just posted yet another very cool photo. I'd love to see the library that you have 8)

MG