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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32988
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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 Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 3:03 pm Post subject: South African T3 "Vanagon" 1992-2002 |
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This may have been posted previously, but I didn't find it....... but honestly I didn't look all that hard either........
EDIT: And no surprise! It was .....
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=293035
Anyway .......
Using the term "South African" is fairly common on here when referring to fron headlamp grills.
But what is the history of the South African T3?
People rarely wonder about that...... or I never did.
Apparently after German production ceased they moved manufacturing to South Africa where "Vanagons" T3's were produced until 2002!
They made changes to it, the grill of course, they changed the front door sheet metal and most obvious...... they put in larger side windows.
These units are now called "Big Window" Vanagons, and they aren't referring to the slight increase in size during the mid 80's.
These side windows increased in size so much they had to change the body stamp!
They also changed the dash with full padding and a smaller glovebox but I failed to find any photos of that.
The rear air scoop design was changed as well.
I wonder how many of these have made it into the States?
There are some in Europe I know of.
Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Last edited by djkeev on Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:30 am; edited 4 times in total |
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MsTaboo 
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Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4611
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 3:44 pm Post subject: Re: South American T3 |
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These were only made in RHD, so a bit of a problem here in North America but there were some imported to England and featured on the 80-90 forum.
Although here's at least one that made it to America.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-cohort/coh...-89-built/
And here's a utub video of an old commercial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27QHa5LFUjs
The rear air change setup is much smarter than the older design, the stale interior air exit does not interfere with air entering the rear scoop. I looked into trying to get the sheet metal and parts from a SA wrecking yard but could not find anyone willing to do the cutting/shipping.
(the stale interior air exits behind the intake scoop)
I'd love to have one of the last Syncro versions and convert to LHD (the slider would be on the wrong side though) 
However they only made those in the early 90's and only with the WBX not the inline 4's or Audi 5's so other than the cool rear air scoop setup it wouldn't be much younger or better.
Too bad, a 2002 Syncro with a 5 cylinder Audi, anti-lock brakes etc, would have been nice. 
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djkeev
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khughes
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Joined: July 13, 2013
Posts: 913
Location: Phoenix AZ
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: South African T3 |
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I don't know how many made it to the US, but yeah, there's a huge VW plant in Uitenhage which is ~20 miles North of Port Elizabeth. Spent some time there on business a few years ago. Never made to see the plant, but there were 5 cylinder T3's running around everywhere.
They are used extensively for public transit, and they have special name for them that I can't recall right now. Kind of like the HOHO busses in Germany (hop on, hop off).
We got the short end of the Vanagon production stick here in the US. 
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Mateo83
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Joined: September 14, 2021
Posts: 647
Location: Lodi, CA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: South African T3 |
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| What year is the one in the photos? |
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slo356
Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2002
Posts: 365
Location: Central Calif Coast
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: South African T3 |
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Durban, South Africa taken in 2018. I don't know production numbers but I saw only Syncro Passenger Vans. Note Rhein rims, round headlight/hi-beam grille and right-hand drive.
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'87 T3 Syncro
Last edited by slo356 on Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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oasis
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002
Posts: 2193
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:27 pm Post subject: Re: South African T3 |
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Damn, djkeev, you're a wealth of information. I love it.
Of course, now, I want to import a RHD big window T3 from SA. 
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI |
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MsTaboo
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Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4611
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:31 pm Post subject: Re: South African T3 |
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| slo356 wrote: |
Durban, South Africa taken in 2018. I don't know production numbers but I saw only Syncro Passenger Vans. Note Rhein rims, larger side windows as noted above, round headlight/hi-beam grille and right-hand drive.
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No, actually that is one of the older types, regular windows, same rear scoop as here.
According to Wiki there were a few 5 cylinder Syncro's built. Along with 16" trailing arms. I wonder what else they may have been equipped with. It's really a shame more weren't made. (and that VW stopped the T3 here in North America)
It seems strange that more Syncros weren't built for the rough outback roads of Africa.
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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.
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MsTaboo
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Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4611
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:34 pm Post subject: Re: South African T3 |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| This may have been posted previously, but I didn't find it....... but honestly I didn't look all that hard either........Dave |
We talked about these in some of the rear scoop threads. There's even a parts diagram in one of them.
_________________
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)! |
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slo356
Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2002
Posts: 365
Location: Central Calif Coast
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| Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: South African T3 |
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Whoops, the Durban Syncro does in fact have the European and U.S. spec side glass and engine vents.
Below is an example of the Syncro's with the larger side windows and vents.
This South African built Namibian Syncro passenger Vanagon I spotted at the Germany bakery in Sossusvlei and again it is a world's more common righthand drive. Note larger side glass and engine vents. I only saw Syncro versions in traveling through the southwestern region of Continental Africa.
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'87 T3 Syncro |
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djkeev
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syncro surf
Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2017
Posts: 189
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2022 6:17 am Post subject: Re: South African T3 "Vanagon" 1992-2002 |
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| A quick look a Facebook Marketplace for Cape Town seems to show that they are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. |
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syncro surf
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Location: Maine
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DuncanS
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Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4583
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:02 am Post subject: Re: South African T3 "Vanagon" 1992-2002 |
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With you, Dave, want one. RHD wouldn't be a problem for me.
Back in the Jurassic, my parents went to Spain on a jaunt and picked up a Hillman Minx convertible as a rental and drove all over the place. It had inside landau bars and a feature that allowed the front half of the top to be folded back while keeping the back half up. Like an early sunroof. Great, it kept the sun off your neck and the ladies hair under control. They loved it so much they brought it back to the US. RHD. A gas to drive. A bit awkward if you wanted to pass someone, but it didn't have enough power to pass anyone anyway. And at night your eyes were farther from the other lane so it was fine. And of course, was a girl grabber as no one had ever seen one. Tan top and red leather upholstery. Very jaunty. Not the best made car, British engineering and Lucas instruments. Had it for years and years. The only problem was the front bearing of the starter motor was exposed and right where the front tire would toss road crud on it. After about 20k miles, it wouldn't start. No problem. We took a 2 x 4 and shaped it with a narrow shaft so it would fit among hoses, etc. A nicely shaped handle. Open the hood and whack the starter motor a few times and off you would go for another week or so, then whack again.
Just remembered it had a 4 speed tranny while US cars only had three. Easy, 4 speed pattern for your left hand and 3 for your right. NP
Exposed motor bearings? T3 front heater motor? Guess protecting bearings on the other side of the pond isn't something they are good at. Wonder if the SA T3 fixed that? I know they added relays and fixed some wiring issues. Definitely want one and love the huge back side window opening. Can't wait to get my hands on one and whack the roof out and do other stupid stuff.
AND NO SALT DOWN THERE!!!!
Duncan |
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DuncanS
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4583
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:07 am Post subject: Re: South African T3 "Vanagon" 1992-2002 |
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Hey, 4WD Waves in Maine. For those of us who don't do FB, can you do a screen shot of the offering? Plz. As soon as this pesky C 19/20/21/22 stuff is over, I want to fly down and drive it back. Is the Siberian/AK bridge up yet?
Duncan |
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syncro surf
Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2017
Posts: 189
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:17 am Post subject: Re: South African T3 "Vanagon" 1992-2002 |
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Duncan, Here you go:
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32988
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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syncro surf
Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2017
Posts: 189
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:24 am Post subject: Re: South African T3 "Vanagon" 1992-2002 |
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| Just to clarify, it's the big window 2wd T3's that seem plentiful, not so much syncros. |
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syncro surf
Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2017
Posts: 189
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:31 am Post subject: Re: South African T3 "Vanagon" 1992-2002 |
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R105000 (SA rands) =$6800 US dollars
Looks like you can get a big window 2wd for about $4000. |
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djkeev
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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