South African T3 "Vanagon" 1992-2002

[DuncanS]

You bet. Amazed there hasn't been talk of this before. If I'da known, I wooda have flown over there before I bought the current '91.

Duncan

[khughes]

[Schnippzle]

I've imported a few parts from SA to the UK. The places I've dealt with are generally very happy to accommodate but purchase costs are high and logistics & tax/import charges almost equal them.

The grilles and panels without the sliding door runner are of particular interest.
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1988 Caravelle - FB25B - Syncro converted
2016 MB E63 AMG S - The daily driver
2019 Harley Davidson FXFBS Fat Bob - The leisure

[MsTaboo]

Don't forget the 25 year rule for importing into America unless you want to pay big $ tax. So that 2002 can come in around 2027.
Now here in Canada it's only 15 years .

I don't really see an advantage to dealing with RHD. That's why I was looking into getting just the sheet metal and parts for converting a NA vehicle with the newer scoop/air exchange setup.
There are plenty of engine conversions that will give similar results to the factory 5s.
Anti-lock brakes would be nice, maybe parts for that system? Maybe a pre 1997 parts car?

But is it worth the money and effort to import a 25 year old parts car? Shipping alone is about $3000.
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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.
Resist Kleptocratic Oligarchy (and Idiocracy)!

[Backtotheeighties]

Eventually vw got the right engines at the end.
Why they didn't do a bit more work on top of the 1.6 diesel and fit the 1.8 gti rabbit motor is a mystery. Just design another overcomplicated engine with new faults for more money instead....
The SA built ones aren't the same a a German built one -build quality may vary..
Ps Porsche built there own1.8 gti company bus about 1982 so someone new. Obviously for porsche it wasn't enough, 3.2 was.

[Twan]

Like briefly mentioned above, Jan 1997 and older are eligible under the 25 year import rule.
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1984 2wd 7 Passenger Tin Top

[Russel 235]

Production was not moved from Germany to SA. SA started building its own T3's from 1987 onwards with unique RHD body shells and then changing the body style to the big windows from 1990. SA also built their own syncros from 1987 till end of 1992. Only aproximatly 3500 syncros were built in SA. A lot of the syncro parts stock that was still in SA has already been bought up and shipped to the US. SA is not abundant with syncro's and parts like suggested above but local owner struggle for parts especially gearbox parts. 2WD vehicles were manufactured in SA from 1987 till June 2002. Before this 2WD's were assembled in SA.
The big window vehicle had many upgrades compared to the earlier vehicles from chassi, body panels and doors, electrical, engines, interiour trim and seats, updated aircon, unrated brakes etc.

[Russel 235]

SA built vehicles did not have ABS and the rear air intake/ cabin exhaust panel will not fit a German built vehicle.

[Russel 235]

Here are a few photos of my 1992 Syncro.

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[Crankey]

I don't see any difference in the front doors.
It would be nice to see VW make a run of the SA bumpers.

[Russel 235]

List of body panel that are different.
Sliding door
Front doors
Rear 1/4 panels
Tailgate
Front wings
Chassi
Panel below windscreen
Rear valance
Sliding door runner cover
3 solid side panels
There is a small modification to A pillars to acomodate the rap arround lower grill.
If you look, there are less swage lines in all the side panels including doors.

[DuncanS]

OK, The S & T quote was on a trip so that was a bad selection, but how about this one?

[DuncanS]

Sorry, Wrong topic.

Duncan