STOLEN: 1986 Silver Suby Syncro (Seattle) **FOUND**

[E34M20]

I live in North Seattle (Greenwood) near 90th and Aurora. Admittedly closer to Aurora than I probably should have been comfortable with - which is probably precisely why I'm posting this here now.

I was really hoping you guys could help me keep an eye out for this van, as she's a really unique 1-of-a-kind vehicle, and I've put a ton of work into her over the past year.

Details are:

Silver 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro (AWD) with a rebuilt Subaru 2.2 (Legacy) motor

Extensive work has been done the past few years. The van has been lifted. A new steel rear bumper and tire-rack were mounted on the back. The 5th wheel (spare) on the back matches the other 4, which are all Van Cafe "Carrot" wheels (with VW caps). The transmission and driveline have been rebuilt. The cooling system has been redone. I recently did wheel bearings and brakes, etc etc. I could go on. There's certainly a lot more to go before she's "perfect", but the timing on this is very frustrating as I was just starting to get her into a "just right" condition...

Here's a pic of me with the van recently:

Here's another one showing the new bumper / tire rack (my van is on the left):

Another scenic shot up at Mt. Rainier (again, my van is on the left):

Here's a shot of the engine rebuild (has a shot of the license plate in case you think you see this van anywhere you can match plates):

Here she is on a flatbed getting towed to my buddy's shop for the engine rebuild. As you can see there are some dents/scrapes - the body isn't perfect. A fresh paint job was next on the list...

I really appreciate your help in keeping an eye out. Thank you very much!

[Zeitgeist 13]

Bummer man. I doubt it will make it down to my end of the Sound, but I'll keep an eye peeled.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Syncronicity]

Jerks Hope you get her back in good condition
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Tom, Juanita, Iggy & Abbey the Dirty Desert Dogs
2.1 L 87 Syncro
KD0ALU
________oo_oo
/ /__/___[_____\
I I======[]IIIII[]
()_)------()_)----)_)

[hdenter]

I am sorry for your loss and will keep my eyes open here in CA. Odds are it is still in your area on a joy ride.

Meanwhile... I like that rear bumper! simple, looks stout. Did you purchase it or have it made?

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[Gauche1968]

Have you ruled out that the van wasn't towed for some reason?

I thought my car was stolen once; turned out I had parked in front of a very well disguised garage door and it was in the impound lot.
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1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy

[theadventureneverends]

Big bummer.

I live in gig harbor and will be looking. Work takes me to Tacoma daily and Seattle weekly I will keep an eye out.

Maybe just some kids out for a joyride with school out and this long weekend. Hopefully show up on the street in fine condition.

Hopefully not someone who knows Syncros and already being stripped down in a garage.

Hunting/mushroom season is just around the corner for my wife and I. We often stumble across stolen vehicles on remote logging roads while in route to hunting areas. I should probably put a socket set in the truck that's a sweet rear bumper!!!

I think there is a big wetwesties event this weekend. There should be Vanagons cruising from all over to get to it. Not sure if they have a website but might be a really good idea to post with them. That would be a lot of eyes looking over the next 5 days.

[FNGRUVN]

Dang, waited until your van was stolen to join our little group....bummer.
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"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

[kirsplat]

Dan, this is Chris, we met at Mogfest.
If I can help out you and Laura in any way please let me know.
I put the word out on FB this morning.
Sorry to hear this bad news.
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86 Syncro|EJ253|Carat

[Red Beard]

I notice (and often comment to my wife) on every single vanagon I drive by here in Seattle, and your's will stand out. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

[Vango Conversions]

I'll keep my eyes peeled on bainbridge/poulsbo area.

Good point on it possibly being towed. In addition to calling the cops to report it stolen and to check if it's been impounded, I'd also call some of the local tow truck guys to double check.

Maybe you should post your phone number so someone can give you a call if it's spotted.

[carterzest]

Damn. I too saw that van at NWMF. Shared on my PDX FB page as well as on the PDX Westravaganza thread. Crossing my fingers for you.
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Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror!

[NxNWesty]

Keeping my eyes peeled as I cruise around seattle, bummer man
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1985 Westfalia '92 EJ22 KEP Adapter

[E34M20]

Thanks to everyone- i really do appreciate the support and help, every eye out there matters! To answer some questions:

- I called 911 first thing, and they checked/confirmed that the van was not towed

- I've also called insurance and filed a claim... With any luck we get the van back before we need to go down that road

- And yes... I've been meaning to join samba for almost a year now. This was a very unfortunate impetus to do so.

I've got a post on reddit (/r/seattle) going as well - a few folks there have seen my van in Lake City today and called the cops. So.... Here's to crossing our collective fingers.

Thanks again guys!

[E34M20]

Also - here's my phone number in case you spot the van (it's a Google Voice number that routes to my cell phone):

248 - 812 - 9598

Thanks again!

[mpabegg]

What a nightmare! I saw you driving this van about a week ago. I live in Ballard and drive a 90 Silver Syncro. I'll keep my eyes peeled and also have my drivers keep an eye out for it.
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90 Syncro "Priscilla"

[colins84]

Hey Dan,

We will keep an eye out up north here in Bellingham area. Sorry for the loss.
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1985 Vanagon Westfalia (Subaru EJ25 w/ Peloquin)
1986 Vanagon GL (2.2L)

[Howesight]

I will watch up here in the Great White North - - unless I go to the Wet Westies meetup on Hood Canal. If I run into the thief, what kind of a beating should I administer to the culprit?!

This is always a great concern of mine. Maybe we should have a thread brainstorming on various disabling techniques. My SVX won't run without the igniter and they are fairly rare. Hmmmmm . . .
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[FrankenSubySyncro]

Another distinguishing thing about this syncro is that it has a big crease on the front of the drivers door where the PO backed into the garage with the door open.

This really sucks!! Dan and I have put a ton of work into this van to get it back on the road and reliable. I think it is a good sign it was spotted today and will hopefully return home soon. Please help spread the word far and wide, any way you can think of.

One way to theft proof a vanagon is to put a hidden toggle switch in the fuel pump circuit. That way it won't start if it is hot wired.

The bumper is easy to make if you have a welder. It is 2x4 rectangular tube 1/8 thick. Trim off the corners and bent in slightly near the frame mounts. It uses the stock bumper mounts.
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Syncronize it!
1987 Franken Syncro (converted 2WD auto)
2004 2.5 SOHC Subaru
F & R lockers, decoupler, SS, 6.17 R&P
Trans Cooler
EMPI race prepped 930 CVs and axles
Bilstein coilover front, rear ProComp MX-6066R shocks, 14" hypercoil springs
30x9.5 15" BFG Muds
Custom skid plates
Nose job (custom front bumper) http://www.flickr.com/photos/subyvanagon/sets/72157624970330925/

[kamzcab86]

Aw, man... Here's hoping it's found and in one piece.

[danbar]

I live in Ballard and work in the north end every day. I'll keep an eye out tomorrow while driving around in my work truck. Super sucks to hear this but if it's on the road it will stand out to a vanagon guy somewhere. That neighborhood is rough for car thefts. My buddy was getting a pizza delivered there and someone jumped in and stole the drivers car while he was at the door. Bunch of savages.
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'88 SCA High/Pop-top Syncro camper
'61 Meyers Manx