One of the first Syncros?

[RainierSyncro]

Scanning the German auto websites and ran across this van:

http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=...;fnai=next

It's a '85 2-locker van with a big Syncro decal on the side. Here's the ad's translation:

 One of the first Syncro, which were delivered. (Ur-Syncro) This vehicle was the Volkswagen AG as a concept vehicle "Syncro" for large distributors. Therefore, even the promotional material on the sides. Original prospectus available. The bus has the 1.9 liter water Boxer (DG) with Pierburg carburetor without Kat and 78 hp. It has 2 locks (front & rear) and a factory heater. The complete seating is available.

 The car has only orig. ran 108000 km, as it was in operation only to Feb. 1998 and was shut down since. Former logout reason was the automotive tax penalty from 01.07.1997 for motor vehicles without G-Kat. Since the bus was never moved !!! There is nothing to weld. Nowhere!

The condition of the car matched in its class, in pristine original condition and is carried out in a beautiful 2-tone paint with chrome bumpers.
Key number: 0600/646
 Type u. Vers. 255-299
Engine Code: DG
 First reg. 09.07.1985
 Tyres: 205 R14 C
 Trailer weight 1800 kg

Has anybody seen this van with the syncro decal on the side in any VW material?

[joetiger]

[Syncrozilla]

I'm curious what the VIN is on this van. I have a 1985 syncro that I was told was one of the earliest syncros.

Is has a VIN ending in 000118.
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[Henni]

Boltze is the only right adress to proove that

Hendrik
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Westfalia syncro 16"

[westyventures]

My singlecab has a 10/84 production date, 000090 VIN.

[OddN]

It looks like a nice early Caravelle GL syncro. 85 was indeed the first official year of the syncro but several pre production models were made with genuine 84 VIN. I believe the brown van that Boltre own is such a van.

The decal looks like a pretty basic, probably dealer installed graphic. Not a "holy grail prototype" type of graphic.

Im fascinated by the use of the "ur-syncro" name. I always called my Passat (Dasher) GT Syncro an ur-syncro but that is another story.
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1991 VW Multivan syncro 1,9 TD

[RainierSyncro]

I PM'ed Boltze about the listing. I invited him to comment on this thread, but he has not, so I'll add his comment he sent me:

Interesting car, I think the truth it between the lines. It was not one of the first syncros. It was a demonstrator or promotional car of mid 1985 which was sent to several dealers and motor press companies to show the new syncro.
The Caravelle GL was 1985 the highest interior line. They built some blue, some brown (like mine) and some green ones. All of them were two-tone colored and equipped with some extras.
You can see the early manufacturing date pre summer 1985 by looking at the shift knob. It is the transporter version, not the GL knob. I think this is a early beauty, but the condition is in Europe not 8500€ worth.

There you go. Case closed. It's an early Syncro, but not that early.

[Dimitrios]

My early Ambulance Syncro has the mushroom shift knob as well and the front diff lock knob can be simply pulled out you does not have to rotate the knob prior to pull it...
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Used Porsche 911 & VW 091 & 094 transaxles!!!

[rryyoobbii]

We have a white early model Syncro here at the shop and interestingly it has the early style fuse panel. Also has the mushroom shift knob and pull to lock front locker
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92 Syncro Doka 16
86 Syncro Doka WBX
86 Syncro Westy TDI

[OddN]

[WestyBob]

Earliest non-production syncros go back into the '70's.

Script/decor decals seemed to be more popular in the early 80's, usually applied by a dealer, although I was told it could be done at the factory upon special request. Most common script was 'syncro' and '4x4' and came in various styles.

My later model '88 white sinka syncro came with baby-blue 'syncro 4x4' on the rear side panels. I also have a color brochure from around '84 showing several decal types used.