Holy Syncro. Found an 87 Syncro Westfalia

casey79westfalia

So a friend of mine calls me a week ago and tells me about a vanagon that is sitting behind a shop down the rd. He sends me a text and I can see in the photo that it looks to be in great shape and is a westfalia. After staring at the image for awhile I realize that it is a syncro. Needless to say I drove over there a few hours later and checked it out. Keep in mind this bus would have never been found since it was behind a building fenced in and could not be seen from the rd. Not to mention it was at a shop run by a bunch of Pakistani guys and they wanted nothing to do with it.

After looking the bus over I walked to the front of the shop and told the guy I would give him a $1000 for the van. He said that he would call the owner and see what he will take for it. He did say that the owner really liked it and would not want to let it go. Two days later I get a calll saying that the owner wants $4000 for it. I tell him thanks alot but I am not interested. Keep in mind that when I first looked at the syncro I took the vin number and wrote it down. I checked the vehicle out and found the owner. Turns out he is a doctor working down the rd from me. I gave him a call and talked to him one to one on the phone about his beloved syncro. Turns out that he is the original owner. Bought it new in 87 and had the extended warranty for 100k miles. Car now has 112k on the clock. He also had it coated underneath in waxoyl every few years to keep it protected as it shows by the cleanliness underneath. The current engine broke a ring and he was going to have the motor rebuilt but just got sidetracked. I chatted to the dr for about 20-25 minutes and made him a final offer of $2000 and that I would tow it away the following day. He ageed. I have now picked the bus up (Saturday) and brought it home.

I gave the bus a very good look around and there is close to zero rust. the underneath has zero and I mean zero. I did find a few bubbles around a few windows but nothing bad. Actually the only place on the body that will need some rust is the dreaded kitchen area rocker. I managed to get under there and the inside of the rocker is fine so it defeintely is coming from that inner wall oh well, that is why I own a welder. Front nose has some fading in the paint but no rust. I will yank the cabinets out and give the rocker the proper replacement and treatment. other then that the car can basically be painted after some light sanding and primer, honestly it has a really straight body. Interior cabinets are in great shape, no scrapes or broken handles. Some of the trim around the cabinets is seperating. The van has factory cruise control which I am really excited about. Upper bed area looks unused.

One problem that I have with the car is that it looks like the fuses and relays have been snagged from the fusebox area (left hand side below steering wheel). I will have to get a picture of the correct relays and fuses that go there so I can put them in. Mechanic must have snagged them when it sat for awhile. Everything else is there including the relays in the back rear cabinet, all curtains including the front privacy and a little one for the skylight along with a screen for the skylight.

I am so stoked to have a syncro. Now I need to sell the 89 westfalia to make room for the syncro. Ill try and post more pics when I have a chance. Never thought I would find a syncro this way. Now I need to start gathering parts for the tdi conversion. Lots to do.

Sorry for the bad pics I snapped them on my phone when I dropped it in the drive way.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
66 Westfalia
87 Westfalia Syncro "Phoenix"
88 Double Cab
76 Porsche 914
2014 Audi Q7
2010 Tdi Sportwagen

Currently looking for 62 Double Cab, 66 Westfalia Parts!
(Rear seat and pedestal, bumpers, mirrors)

http://www.baycountrymotors.com

My 87 Syncro Westfalia 1.8t Restoration

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=418933

"Do it the right way, or you'll pay for it"

firepilot · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:09 am Post subject:

You got a steal on that one, even that $4000 dollars would have been a bargain. I thought getting mine for $6000 that had been sitting for years and needed an engine replacement, was a good deal. You beat mine by quite a bit!

Hell $2k for any 87 Westy would have been good, even more so a Syncro too. You did good.

I would absolutely love a TDI in mine too. Its a bit further than my abilities, and then the cost for a shop like Greaseworks seems to be about $15k.
_________________
86 Westy Syncro

GBA 88West LA · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:14 am Post subject:

what a score , WOW you lucky man you ! Shocked

_________________
88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin

tozovr · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:15 am Post subject:

casey79westfalia · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:15 am Post subject:

Thanks. I have slowly been working my way through the busses and vanagons and now feel like I have the one that I am going to keep for a very long time. I am going to take my time and do the tdi conversion myself and do it right.
_________________
66 Westfalia
87 Westfalia Syncro "Phoenix"
88 Double Cab
76 Porsche 914
2014 Audi Q7
2010 Tdi Sportwagen

Currently looking for 62 Double Cab, 66 Westfalia Parts!
(Rear seat and pedestal, bumpers, mirrors)

http://www.baycountrymotors.com

My 87 Syncro Westfalia 1.8t Restoration

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=418933

"Do it the right way, or you'll pay for it"

tozovr · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:27 am Post subject:

GBA 88West LA · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:28 am Post subject:

thats so diesel turbonium Shocked

_________________
88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin

Williamtaylor33 · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:32 am Post subject:

That is one heck of a sweet score....nice!
Just think of the one that sold last week. It was red and in pieces. No engine in it. All the glass was out. And it had body damage. And the ad didnt last in the classifieds for over a few hours at 6 thousand.
man you stole that thing!
_________________
89 Bostig powered syncro westy

edgood1 · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:53 am Post subject:

wow, this is exactly what some of us dream about finding before we fall asleep at night...
_________________
'87 Syncro :: Subaru eng
'63 Samba Conversion ::(photo album)
'65 Westfalia
'65 Bug

joetiger · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:02 am Post subject:

This does sound like a crazy daydream.

Or,

"Dear Penthouse Forum,

I never thought I'd be writing to you, but..."

That is just unbelievable! Shocked

Congratulations!
_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell

djaydubya · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:09 am Post subject:

If I were you I'd head on down to your local "Quick 'n Split" and pick up a few Powerball tickets Applause

_________________
1991 Westy GL Auto
2004 GW 2.2

"It was the least I could do... so I did it."

trihartsfield · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:27 am Post subject:

Ok now pinch yourself and wake up. Now look out in your driveway and see if you have a red SYNCRO sitting there.

I thought I got a deal on a 1990 that runs good and needed interior and minor exterior work for $500

Since I bought mine I have been keeping an eye out and maybe I can get as lucky.

Congrats and keep us updated on the conversion.

Chris

candyman · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:46 am Post subject:

casey79westfalia · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:48 am Post subject:

Thanks guys. I swear I have had an amazing year. Bought my dream home as well as found a 66 camper in great shape for $1000 a few months back and now the syncro. I deserve it. I had a few rough years leading up to this so I feel like its my turn.

Persistence pays. I bugged this doctor every day to call me back. Once I finally got him on the phone I wheeled and dealed him. I reeled him in like a fish. Turned out to be a nice guy and really knew very little about vw's other then that he loved his syncro in the michigan snow, where he lived for a few years. I plan on restoring the car to pristine shape and using it to travel the country with my wife and daughter. Now I need to get my 89 westy all cleaned up and ready to sell so I can have my garage back.
_________________
66 Westfalia
87 Westfalia Syncro "Phoenix"
88 Double Cab
76 Porsche 914
2014 Audi Q7
2010 Tdi Sportwagen

Currently looking for 62 Double Cab, 66 Westfalia Parts!
(Rear seat and pedestal, bumpers, mirrors)

http://www.baycountrymotors.com

My 87 Syncro Westfalia 1.8t Restoration

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=418933

"Do it the right way, or you'll pay for it"

chimivee · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 11:50 am Post subject:

WOW.

Congrats.
_________________
-James
86 Syncro Westy, etc

casey79westfalia · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:10 pm Post subject:

These things are still out there guys. Keep your eyes open and have your friends call you if they see one somewhere. I have eyes all over looking for me. Just looked at the gowesty site, are those prices real? Why would someone pay that kind of money for a vanagon, I love them but seriously? I'm glad I didnt have to sell my soul for the van.
_________________
66 Westfalia
87 Westfalia Syncro "Phoenix"
88 Double Cab
76 Porsche 914
2014 Audi Q7
2010 Tdi Sportwagen

Currently looking for 62 Double Cab, 66 Westfalia Parts!
(Rear seat and pedestal, bumpers, mirrors)

http://www.baycountrymotors.com

My 87 Syncro Westfalia 1.8t Restoration

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=418933

"Do it the right way, or you'll pay for it"

edgood1 · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:21 pm Post subject:

joetiger · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:23 pm Post subject:

[quote="edgood1"

I am ALWAYS looking for that special vw tucked behind someones shed in the overgrown weeds.... i've got eyes everywhere. ... almost distracting me from the road at times.[/quote]

I know how that is...I have been reprimanded many times for peering into yards instead of keeping my eyes on the road when travelling with my wife!
_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell

Classicvibe · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 2:13 pm Post subject:

Ahh, sweet music to my ears...a nice westy finds a great family. Congratulations! I know I got a good deal on mine, and it was 4x the cost of yours. Have fun - Sweet!
_________________
On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.

Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!

1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter

taigagreen · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 2:22 pm Post subject:


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