Vanagon discrimination

[Jon_slider]

Yes, if the name of the event has the word Syncro in it, then the people going are looking for an opportunity to use their AWD/4wd capabilities. There are actually very few places that a Syncro is needed, so those of us with a syncro, look for places to go drive.

SyncroDeMayo has always allowed 2wd Vans, but they would delay 2wd registration, and give precedence to 4wd for initial registration, in case they got "too many" vans. That never happened. And this was the last year for that event.

SyncroFest has always allowed 2wd vans and they do not delay registration, or give priority to Syncros. You can definitely drive a 2wd Van around the green trails at Hollister. They take you to the places where you can watch the 4wd Vans on the obstacle courses. And, the campout in Area 5 is a fantastic time, even if you park for the whole event. Syncro rides are easy to come by too.

SyncroSolstice is an event that gives Syncros and opportunity to justify the owners investment in 4wd. The terrain requires it, but 2wd is welcome to go camp and ride.

The Lost Burritos is a group of Syncro owners that go to Big Sur several times a year. At least one 2wd has been on most of our get togethers. There is very little need for 4wd in the places we go, but it does help a little.

NWMogfest is a 4wd event, 2wd Vans are welcome to camp and watch, and ride.

VanORama is a parking lot get together for Vans, no matter if syncro or not.

Burning Van is a parking lot get together for Vans, no matter if syncro or not.

Don't be shy Tequila, you are more than welcome to attend any of the get togethers. But watch out for syncro envy, it will take even more money out of your pocket than your 1.8t conversion. Now a word of warning, a lowered Van, will not clear some of the ruts we drive over in Big Sur. In fact, a lowered van really does not belong on dirt, in my opinion. Syncros otoh, thrive in dirt.

There are probably many other get togethers that I am not aware of, but mostly, 2wd folk have no problem finding places to camp. Its the syncro folk that have trouble finding places to wheel. For example, I live in Santa Cruz. If I drive north along the coast to San Francisco, there is not one single place I have found that will give me an opportunity to use my 4wheel drive. Otoh, lots of places for a Van to hang out for the day, party, picnic, and play. Still no place to overnight camp for free though, with the exception of Davenport.

So, to the original question, why so many syncro events? Because Syncros are lonely
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My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco

[joetiger]

Freudian slip! That's what I get for trying to post so early!

This is the best thread ever.
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"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

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[djkeev]

[WestyBob]

[geo_tonz]

IMHO discrimination against Syncros is really just Syncro envy for the most part. I wouldn't mind one but for the extra expense in purchase and speciality parts it's not worth it for the 4% of my driving where 4wd would come in handy. True 2wd vs my current 1wd would be nice though and I guess the finished picture in my mind of my van has a pre-runner-syncro-esk look.

I would LOVE to be in the passenger seat during some of those youtube vids of syncros blowing through sand berms with their nose in the air. Ride 'em cowboy! Or thrashing someone else's machine!

There may be a slight snobbery about tin top vs Westie though in the way Bman described the syncro-2wd relationship. Often I feel a little ashamed when someone asks if I have a stove and fridge when I say I have a VW van and I say "no, it's not a Westy, it's a 9 passenger vanagon..." Maybe that's Westy envy?

Harley vs sportbike rider though? Way too strong animosity there to compare. I just sold my classic 1983 Honda shadow and one of the shoppers brought his harley-riding uncle to consult. The whole time you could see on his face he thought it was a worthless pile of jap crap. Meanwhile if it was a harley I would hav had to spend 4x as much to keep it running half as well as that this was when I sold it. Harley riders generally also make it a point NOT to wave at anything but other Harleys, Indians, or Polaris. Apparently spending gobs of money on a brand new sub-standard american built piece of chrome means you're a real badass vs tuning an 1983 classic metric cruiser to within an in of it's life and making it purr and shine like it came off the showroom floor. I'm not bitter though...
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[0to60in6min]

[TequilaSunSet]

^^
Cruisers vs. sportbikes
RUBS vs. SQUIDS
Harley vs. The world

I had both Harleys, Hondas and Kawa's... they all rocked in their own way.

Kawa- Nomad (Harley Knock off that Harley tried to sue over the sound as being patented- lost huge!) Fun bike, water cooled and much cheaper.
Honda- Shadow, Goldwing and kick ass Valkyrie
Harley-Ultra classic electra glide full dress... fun... dumb chick magnet

The best bike of all was the Valkyrie Tourer... mild cam,bat wing fairing, removable trunk-bags-saddle, 6-into-6 pipes (roared like a beast!)... and ate Harleys like it was at a all you can eat buffet! Some dumb races on the freeways and streets, actually made some friends... and a few not friends
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Don't harsh my mellow...
1985 Hightower Vanagon 1.8T- Gone
1972 Panel Bus- Gone
1967 Bug- Gone
1964 Euro Sunroof Bug- Gone
1969/72/63 Sunroof Bug- Gone
1975 Brazilian Bug in the Philippines 🇵🇭- New to me

[geo_tonz]

[TequilaSunSet]

[chazz79]

The discrimination is there.

not vanagon on vanagon

I've attended shows with my bay and had nothing but love and positivity tossed my way. Same show a year later with the van and people are saying "why you showing that" My answer is the same, I bring what decides to run that day.
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One day as a lion, or a lifetime as lamb

The green monster in bits and peices: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=332556&highlight=green+monster

[kennyw]

I remember in the early 90s(or was it in 89?) my dad and I took his syncro to the Brookline, MA gathering. Didn't get snubbed, but I think it was one of the first Vanagons to attend.
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'15 Tiguan - Victor
'88 Westy - Maggy

[gl98115]

Now Eurovans, OTOH ... .
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'87 faux-Syncro Westy w/ 2.3l GoWesty WBX

[syncrodoka]

[BenT Syncro]

Just want throw my 2 cents in. IMHO, statements (I'm paraphrasing) "We will accept reservations from 2wd's, if not enough Syncros have registered..." or "Looking forward to seeing our Syncro friends..."

Maybe "discrimination" is too strong a word. However, there is definitely a 'bias' with preference to Syncros. This was the driving force behind the start of Van-O-Rama nearly 13 years ago and BurningVan a few years later. Which incidentally happens in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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BenT

[TequilaSunSet]

[BenT Syncro]

[quote="TequilaSunSet"]

[zippyslug31]

[WestyBob]

[WestyBob]

[BenT Syncro]