Our SyncroWesty totaled - The end of an era (new pics added)

[sanchius]

With deep sadness I must regretfully report that after 10 years of the most amazing fun, camping trips, concerts and 4WD adventures exploring the back roads and mountains of Colorado, this morning our SyncroWesty gave its life to save mine, protecting me from a shattering side impact from someone running a red light at 60mph.

Fortunately, everyone walked away from the crash without injuries.

But, alas, our beloved SyncroWesty is no more.

I will always remember it like this:

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this

or like this (my favorite post)

rather than like this:

About a foot and a half of penetration (pic added 9/20)

The impact opened up the driver side body seam... (pic added 9/20)

_________________
The Syncro years (2005-16) - The 2WD years (2017-23) - In Hoosierland (2023-now)
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[Sodo]

A beautiful life, regretful end. So sorry to see that. Glad nobody hurt of course.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[dhaavers]

Ouch, ouch, ouch. Very sad to see. So sorry for your van but glad you could walk away from that.

I've always enjoyed your trip/travel posts. Hope you can get back to vanning very soon.

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[dkoesyncro]

The fun doesn't have to end! Unlike a fire, this syncro can donate it's goods to convert a 2wd.

Maybe with the insurance payout you might break even?

[joetiger]

I am so sorry to hear this, but very relieved that you walked away unscathed.

Get another one.
_________________
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

[brutisbus]

So Sad, glad you're OK. It's crazy out there.
Someone did the same to my 530i 3 weeks ago, luckily in town at 35, we fared better than light runner. I've been commuting on I-5 120 miles 3 days a week for 26 years. The number of accidents from distracted drivers has spiked in the last 5. The Smart Phone -> WMD-> Weapon of Mass Distraction!

[0to60in6min]

show the adjuster GW site (vehicle sales) and make them pay for their crime...

then get another one... I am glad that you're OK....

I feel your pain...my son and his girl friend get hit by a sh...head last year, running a red light very similar to yours but not in a vanagon... since then I am pretty scared for their vanagon...

[JDub113]

Glad you made it out ok!! Super scary...
_________________
84 Wolfsburg Edition Westy

[bobbyblack]

Oy Vey! Sad day. Glad you are ok. Please keep us in the loop, and we will keep you in mind. So sorry for your loss. Let us know how you are doing.

Kind regards,

-bobby
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Gnarlodious]

Argh! But those are some great pics, and memories!

Does it seem like more that a reasonable proportion of pristinely restored Vanagons get totaled on the road? Are we moving targets?
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[MsTaboo]

A beautiful van. So sad.

Be careful about saying you're ok. A bad wreck can creep up a few days later with health problems. Don't let the s.o.b. off the hook for their crime.

Hoping all the best for a full recovery.
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
When you stir up shit you're bound to get some on yourself.
Resist Kleptocratic Oligarchy (and Idiocracy)!

[Stephenmarklay]

Man I am glad everyone is OK.

These vans for whatever reason are practically like a family pet. I guess since we share so many experiences with them.

Sorry man.
_________________
1985 Westfalia. Project 2017.

[jimf909]

Oh crud. You and that van and the pup mastered the art of Things Your Van Did Lately. I truly enjoyed those pics of random moments with the stunning backdrop of the Rockies.

Hope the bodies and minds of you and yours are all okay.
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- Jim

[hdenter]

Glad you all walked away uninjured. Make sure you get a good settlement and then maybe see to it that her soul continues on by resurrecting a deserving candidate. Hopefully, you can use her parts to build a new van for yourself!

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

[fleet_maintenance]

After all those great trips, your van made the ultimate sacrifice. RIP van.
I am always in awe of the photos of damaged/wrecked vans where the owners escaped serious injury.
I am happy to read this is one of those cases.

[takeiteasy]

Sorry to hear about this. Glad you are ok and sending u good vibes.

[WestyBob]

Fantastic pics except for the last one.

Bummer-bummer.

Every year more bite the dust.

I got tagged earlier in a parking lot -- corner crunched in but repairable.

Agree with others - try to save/use/sell as many good parts as possible. Get your deserved insurance money, get another.

[mightyart]

That is sad indeed, but at least it protected everybody, Vanagons seem good at that.
You should get another one.
It's the devil we all know.

[Steve M.]

Sorry to hear it yet glad all are okay.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[Alaskaberrys]

So sorry to read about the loss of your van - those are some beautiful pictures! And I'm sure there are lots of great memories behind each of them. And even more glad your still here to enjoy those memories.

We are new to the Westy life/ownership /servitude and am only beginning to appreciate how hard it must be losing something you've put so much into and was such a big part of your lifestyle. We hope you find that again.

Mark and Diana
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'91 Westfalia, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2.1L 2wd Auto
'91 T3 Syncro Doka, Escorial Green 1.9L TD AAZ “Gremian” (to provoke, irritate, exasperate, vex...)