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pedrokrusher Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:28 am Post subject: My 1989 VW Vanagon (Transporter) Karmann Gipsy, AFN TDI |
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******** PHOTOS and text added, now i just need to take another look at it and make some last adjustments******
Here it is, my new ride.
- 1989 Volkswagen Vanagon (Transporter in europe) Karmann Gipsy
- 4th generation of the Gipsy model (G4, see photo 57)
- Identification number 652
- Built in june 1989 (06 89)
- Engine: the original 1.6 JX was replaced by the highly regarded european TDI AFN 110 HP diesel engine at some point. Its basically a boosted TDI AHU.
- Transmission: the original diesel 5 speed diesel transmission was replaced by the AAP 5 speed transmission for better highway cruising speed.
Photo 1
NICE!!!!
Photo 2
I don't think this Gipsy came out of the factory without the front top window. I think it was part of a repair done to the roof over the top bed. I have seen some Gipsys without the top front window, but never with those two horizontal lines.
Photo 3
No top bunk driver's side window. I believe the 4th generation of the Gipsy model came out the factory that way. See photo 57 for the identification plate: it says "G4", thats what indicates its the 4th generation.
Photo 4
Photo 5
Photo 6
Photo 7
Photo 8
This photo show the size difference between a westy, my Silverfox, and a Karmann Gipsy. Not that much longer!
Photo 9
A close-up on the longer Gipsy over a regular westy. Its basically a foot longer.
Photo 10
The fronts alligned.
Photo 11
Beautiful combo.
Photo 12
I need to get the front of the Gipsy upgraded with the South African top and lower grills...
Photo 13
Photo 14
Photo 15
Photo 16
Photo 17
Photo 18
Bigger steering wheel = no power steering... Really? With this kind of heavy vehicle?
Photo 19
Very nice dashtop add-on. Love the cup holders and the folding table.
Photo 20
Beautiful woodwork. Notice the two brown squares next to the side door? The one to the right is the interuptor for the ceiling lights, and the other is the european electrical plug-in. Need to change the bedsheet color to something more pleasant... And the curtains too.
Photo 21
Kitchen area.
Photo 22
Kitchen area, the glass top folds up.
Photo 23
Photo 24
Notice the nurse scissors in the droor? This Gipsy's first owners belonged to a nurse couple in Germany. The second owners (M. And Ms Smith) bought the Gipsy from them and toured europe for two years, then imported it to Canada in 2012. Then me, the third owner bought it in 2014.... And the nurse scissors lives on with the Gipsy! I really wish I could get in contact with the nurses and let them know that the Gipsy is in Canada now!
Photo 25
Nice little touch from the Karmann builders, an old style cabinet key!
Photo 26
Top cupboards.
Photo 27
How the cupboard opens.
Photo 28
Ladder to access top bunk. Usually stored on top bunk while not in used.
Photo 29
Photo 30
Nice little safety feature to keep ladder in place while in use.
Photo 31
Nice opening window. Just one on top... Could use another one on opposite side. It has the nice feature like the rear big windows, the top part has the mosquito screen, and the bottom part has the night shade.
Photo 32
Bathroom and closet beautiful solid doors.
Photo 33
Photo 34
Photo 35
This is where you open the propane connectors for the central heating, the water heater, the stove and... (Forgot the last one)
Photo 36
Bathroom sink
Photo 37
Bathroom porta potti, with shower floor.
Photo 38
The sink faucet doubles as a shower head.
Photo 39
Lots of storage space in the top cabinets. What am I going to put there? I'm so used to the westy limited storage... Notice the small ceiling neon light?
Photo 40
Rear seat... And a nice quiet propane heater!!!
Photo 41
More top cabinets. The corners are open. Another small neon ceiling light.
Photo 42
Nice solid wood table that folds down easily to create the rear bed.
Photo 43
The rear top cabinets opens up, and stays in place in open position.
Photo 44
Drivers side top cabinets.
Photo 45
The rear double pane window opens up! Its nice the way they open, that way you can open them when it rains.
Photo 46
Detail on the mechanism to lock the windows.
Photo 47
Photo 48
Photo 49
Photo 50
The window top frame contains the mosquito screen, just pull it down and it locks with the bottom mechanism. Really nice touch from the europeans!
Photo 51
Photo 52
Photo 53
The window bottom frame contains the night shade, just pull it up and it clips to the top mechanism. It keeps the interior pretty dark!
Photo 54
Photo 55
The clips mechanism. You can move both top screen and bottom night shade clipped together and move it up or down, together.
Photo 56
Location of the Karmann Gipsy identification plate.
Photo 57
karmann Gipsy identification plate.
G4, for the 4th generation of the Gipsy model on the vanagon.
06 89, for june of 1989
Its number 652!
Photo 58
Detail on the Karmann Gipsy fender flares, all one piece plastic unit which contours the extention of the camper box. Where is that thread that they talked about the different fender flares produced for the vanagon? Here is another one!
Photo 59
Drivers side fender flare. Nice 15 inch wheels.
Photo 60
Original VW Vanagon rubber mats! Interesting door sticker...
Photo 61
USB radio plug-in in the glove box. That way you can keep you device in the glove box out of prying eyes... Nice touch from the Smith's family.
Photo 62
Nice VW Vanagon truck mirrors. Great visibility!
Photo 63
Lots of stickers on this windshield!
Top round blue sticker from the transport company that brought it to Canada: UNICAR group.
Photo 64
Top to bottom:
- Province of Quebec conformity sticker.
- highway tag... (Country)
- highway tag... (Country)
- highway tag... (Country)
Left: canadian Food Inspection Agency sticker. Why did they stick it like that?
Photo 65
The bottom section of the top bed is in fiberglass, while the rest is aluminum.
Photo 66
Nice logo!
Photo 67
Can you see what's different in this picture? The front beams have a special german feature. They have a low power small light on the bottom that you can light up at night without draining your battery. Its to clearly advise to oncoming motorists that this vehicle is parked in a very narrow german street.
Photo 68
With light on. The red shade is from my Ipad cover... That is red.
Photo 69
With light on. Further view.
Photo 70
Driver's side access doors.
Photo 71
Detail of the rear fender flares.
Photo 72
Propane access door.
Photo 73
How the locks work.
Photo 74
Insert key and turn it, the knob comes out. At this point you can take out the key, and the knob sticks out. When leaving your camp site, take a quick look at you knobs, if they stick out, you need to lock them, then drive off. Ahh those europeans... Details, details, details...
Photo 75
Photo 76
Two small propane tanks fits in there. No more looking for specific rv propane fillers like with the westy. Just take your propane tank out and get it filled anywhere! Also, if one gets empty, just switch tanks! Yeah I need to buy a second one...
Photo 77
Cassette toilet access door.
Photo 78
Instructions on door... Doh!
Photo 79
Push the retaining clip down...
Photo 80
And pull out the cassette.
Photo 81
Nice size cassette.
Photo 82
Rear storage access door.
Photo 83
Original european first aid kit!
Photo 84
Nice size storage. You clearly see where the extention metal panel starts to accomodate the Gipsy camper box, from the interior wall of the VW Vanagon frame. Not from the exterior wall.
Photo 85
Interior shot. Could not get a nice picture due to too much sunlight, in contrast with the dark interior.
Photo 86
Stickers displaying the camping equipment. On both sides at the rear.
Photo 87
Water tank access door on passenger side.
Photo 88
Left: water heater access door.
Bottom left... Don't know yet...
Center: european 220 electrical plug-in.
Right: outside vent for the cabin propane heater.
Photo 89
Open door for european 220 electrical plug-in. Will need to change for north american 110 electrical plug-in.
Photo 90
Vents for fridge.
Photo 91
Under the vent covers, there is screens to keep bugs out.
Photo 92
Huge aluminum Karmann Mobil logo on rear.
Photo 93
Folding rear ladder.
Photo 94
Rear ladder folded down for access.
Photo 95
Some sticker located at the rear, towards passenger side, that I have no clue what it means... somebody knows?
Photo 96
Side plastic mouldings, and rear plastic bumper... What a bumper, really just for decoration. Please don't bump me! That side vent is for the intercooler. Canada, hey!
Photo 97
Rear license plate flips up for access...
Photo 98
...for engine oil filler tube.
Photo 99
See! The world famous 710 filler cap! OMG! I have one!
Photo 100
... And to access the engine oil dipstick. Don't do this task with a white long sleeve shirt, you will get it dirty getting your arms that far in...
Photo 101
Hey! This is where the engine lives!
First, remove Carpet.
Photo 102
Oh, oh! The side panels goes over the engine lid. Need to remove them to access engine. I have a metal engine lid from the air cooled vanagons. I will cut one up, weld side reinforcements with rubber gaskets. The middle part will fold up with the side walls in place, and the two sides will stay in place with a small screw at each end. Thank god I have a TDi and don't need as much monitoring as a waterboxer engine!
Photo 103
Second, remove cushions.
Photo 104
Thrid, flip up the side doors. All doors flipped up for photo.
Photo 105
The big black box is a Truma boiler, its the propane water heater for the kitchen sink and bathroom sink/shower.
Photo 106
The huge 60 litre water tank, with a big access for cleaning. Notice brown tube? Its for the heated air for the camper... Nice!
Photo 107
Here is the exterior storage area that you can have access from inside too.
Photo 108
Et voilà! The heart of the Gipsy. A diesel engine TDI AFN 110HP available in the european market.
Photo 109
Underneath the camper. Here you see that the lower rocker panel from the vw vanagon was kept from the factory, then and extended metal sheet widened the camper. We can also see the greay water tank for both sinks.
Photo 110
Its kinda weird to see that there is a gap of about 3 inches where my fingers go...
Photo 111
On this photo you clearly see how the VW factory delivered the body to Karmann, then metal sheet extentions were welded to that body by Karmann to accomodate the wider camper.
Photo 112
Underneath view towards the rear. You clearly see tye extended sheet metal used by Karmann to accomodate the wider camper.
Photo 113
Rear fender wheel well extention.
Photo 114
There is quite a gap between the engine rear wall and the rear bumper and lights assembly. I'm thinking of creating a storage box of some sort... Or making the complete rear bumper to fold down to access that huge space...
Photo 115
Another detail of the extended sheet metal to accomodate the wider camper.
Photo 116
The rear springs looks wider than my westy Silverfox, and there is an additional smaller spring inside the bigger spring... Never seen that before. Anyone knows if it comes from factory like that? Add-on from Karmann?
Photo 117
Another view of the rear springs.
Photo 118
The front cab including front bumper measures 67 inches.
Photo 119
The complete camper goes to 188 1/2 inches long, then goes over 16 feet long includidng the rear ladder.
Photo 120
Just for comparison, the westy goes around 15 feet long with front and rear bumpers.
Photo 121
Just under 80 inches wide formthe Gipsy.
Photo 122
The westy goes 68 inches wide at the rear. But remember that the westy body is wider in the middle. I believe as much as another 6 to 8 inches more.
Photo 123
Highest point of the Gipsy, excluding the skylight, is 104 inches high.
Photo 124
My westy goes at 78 inches tall.
Photo 125
Here it is! The Gipsy is 4 1/2 inches wider at each side. So a total of a mere 9 inches wider, creates this much bigger space inside!
_________________ Pedro
1989 vanagon Karmann Gipsy #652, TDI AFN
1991 vanagon westfalia conversion TDI ALH Silverfox
ex-1989 vanagon syncro passenger Syncrofox (Sold)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=598791&highlight=
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=493964&highlight=speed+aap+trans
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=496589&highlight=carrier+bars
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=506025
Last edited by pedrokrusher on Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:27 pm; edited 25 times in total |
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pedrokrusher Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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geo_tonz Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2012 Posts: 1472 Location: Courtenay, BC, CANADA
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:37 am Post subject: |
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Kool! Hoping for some interior pictures...Seen a few exteriors but I don't know what they look like inside..
***EDIT-Pictures now up...KEWLER*** _________________ ---------------------------------------------------
"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper
Last edited by geo_tonz on Mon Jun 23, 2014 1:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15130 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:48 am Post subject: |
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awesome, I would totally rock that thing.. err van.. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Signalocity Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2012 Posts: 573
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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Nice score! Awesome to see some more detailed shots of the interior as well. |
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geo_tonz Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2012 Posts: 1472 Location: Courtenay, BC, CANADA
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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That is one of the nicest motor home interiors I've seen! Not just because it's a cool VW version but very nice build quality, finish and well thought out (at least judging by the pictures)! I always thought they were kinda interesting but not worth pursuing but that's very nice!
Great...Now I have a new model vanagon to lust after!
Thanks for sharing!
PS: how do you access the engine? Beneath the table? _________________ ---------------------------------------------------
"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper |
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Steelhead Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Kentfield, CA
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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Nicest I've seen. Very cool. _________________ '77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper) |
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taigagreen Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2005 Posts: 417 Location: Norway
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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Niiiice!
There is an 86 for sale near my home. It looks different in the outside details, decals and cladding. Otherwise the same. It is very clean with 113000km and the price is $5500. Probably a steal... _________________ 88 Westfalia Club Joker syncro AAZ i/c
99 Transporter syncro 2.5 TDi |
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pedrokrusher Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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pedrokrusher Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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pedrokrusher Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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pedrokrusher Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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geo_tonz wrote: |
That is one of the nicest motor home interiors I've seen! Not just because it's a cool VW version but very nice build quality, finish and well thought out (at least judging by the pictures)! I always thought they were kinda interesting but not worth pursuing but that's very nice!
Great...Now I have a new model vanagon to lust after!
Thanks for sharing!
PS: how do you access the engine? Beneath the table? |
Thanks for the compliment!
They are very nicelly built indeed. The europeans have their own way of doing things. Attention to details! And it shows on the Karmann Gipsy. Not everything is perfect, but considering its an 89, its darn nice!
A couple days after purchase, I went to see a guy that fixes RVs for a living, and he was amazed by the way it was built. He said its well built, and not put together in a rush like most american RVs. He has a big warehouse with some big RVs inside, with complete side panels removed because of water infiltration damage... And they are 4 or 5 years old!!! My gipsy is 25 years old, and yes there is some water damage right over the upper bed that needs to be adressed asap.
There is a price to pay for all this nice camper... And its the engine access as you can see now with the uploaded pics. But its a diesel, not a waterboxer! You dont need to check the engine like a wateboxer... I wished there would be a big rear access door like a city bus to access the rear engine... _________________ Pedro
1989 vanagon Karmann Gipsy #652, TDI AFN
1991 vanagon westfalia conversion TDI ALH Silverfox
ex-1989 vanagon syncro passenger Syncrofox (Sold)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=598791&highlight=
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=493964&highlight=speed+aap+trans
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=496589&highlight=carrier+bars
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=506025 |
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pedrokrusher Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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pedrokrusher Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7893 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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Sweet! One of the nicest Gipsy's I've seen.
And, I take it Karmann is the one who built it? Hard to tell given the lack of decals and badges... _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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denwood Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2012 Posts: 1047 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 9:14 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for posting this...great to see all of the pics. This setup with a diesel and 5 spd really makes sense. I saw your "Silverfox" in the classifieds...someone will get a very good van out of that deal.
Cheers,
Dennis. _________________ Cheers,
Dennis Wood
The Grape |
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Steelhead Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Kentfield, CA
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 9:45 am Post subject: |
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All I can say is that if I ever end up with pile of FU money, one of the 7 people who currently own a 16 syncro gypsy (1990-1992) will get an offer they will be unable to refuse. _________________ '77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper) |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12103 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:49 am Post subject: |
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That interior appears to have been lifted from a quality sailboat or motor yacht. Very un-motorhome-like. I was expecting solid space efficiency and general layout, but the quality of the materials is way above anything I've seen in a small RV package. I hope you plan on putting serious vacation miles on it, soon _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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pedrokrusher Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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pedrokrusher Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 654 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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denwood wrote: |
Thanks for posting this...great to see all of the pics. This setup with a diesel and 5 spd really makes sense. I saw your "Silverfox" in the classifieds...someone will get a very good van out of that deal.
Cheers,
Dennis. |
Thanks Dennis, yes the diesel 110 HP is just perfect for this type of camper. It pushes it with ease and its pretty economic too. The previous owner said he was doing 9 L/100KM (26MPG) at 95KM/H (60MPH)... Thats very good, considering its overall "efficient" aerodynamics!
There is a lot of interested people in Silverfox. Most potential buyers are located far away in California, oregon or Colorado. So its kinda hard for a test drive... The new owner of Silverfox will have such a good deal. I'm still banging my head selling for that price, compared with what I've put in it alone, not even adding the price of a regular westy same shape... Ridiculous... In a couple weeks I might just pull the add and keep Silverfox. Its a much better thing for me. _________________ Pedro
1989 vanagon Karmann Gipsy #652, TDI AFN
1991 vanagon westfalia conversion TDI ALH Silverfox
ex-1989 vanagon syncro passenger Syncrofox (Sold)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=598791&highlight=
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=493964&highlight=speed+aap+trans
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=496589&highlight=carrier+bars
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=506025 |
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