What is a CARAT vanagon

[Gertie]

I have a 1990 Vanagon that was my late husbands daily driver. As a 44 year long mechanic and repair shop owner exclusively for VWs, I'm pretty sure he would have chosen the best to be his daily driver. And, as I'm searching for a good price to ask for it, I'm seeing "carat". Can anyone tell me what a van needs to have to be considered a "carat" vanagon?

[Terry Kay]

Google Vanagon Carat.

Lots of info, pictures, etc.
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T.K.

[D Clymer]

[bobbyblack]

What TK said, yes.

Short list would be the fold down rear seat turns into a bed.
Has a table that fold out from Drivers side, has two rear facing jump seats.
Has body cladding along bottom edge of vehicle, its fiberglass.
Has lowered stance.

Unless Im on a 36 hour no sleep jag (oy vey! i am)

[MsTaboo]

The Carat was an actual model of Vanagon. Sold in North America from '89-'91. It is a seven passenger tin-top van with slightly shorter springs to lower the stance of the vehicle. The body has fiberglass cladding around the lower edge to give it a sporting look and has an air dam in front, fiberglass bumpers, and alloy wheels.
Carats have all the power accessories, mirrors, windows, steering, and a/c. They have a pair of rear facing jump seats which are removable. The front seats are "captain chairs" but do not swivel like the camper seats. The rear seat does fold down into a queen sized bed.

The Carat:

It is a really nice van and the best driving stock Vanagon I've ever driven.

VW also sold during those same years the "Multivan" which was a weekend camper version of the Carat. It has a pop-top with sleeping for two above and two below, a fold out table and the rear facing seats. The front seats do swivel, and there is a small cabinet in the rear but no kitchen.
_________________
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)!

[Merian]

^


the / is better of course
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....

[The Carrot]

If the Van still has the parcel trays and factory curtains that is a bonus.
Some would argue that a manual transmission is more desirable.

Look here for comparable Vans.....

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...ords=Carat
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1990 Orly Blue Carat

[AndyBees]

My 89 Carat doesn't have electric windows and never come with curtains.

I'm the 3rd owner! I got it for $3,000.00 (142k miles on the odie).. which apparently was a fairly good price as I've since seen several with much higher price tags!
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful.

[Terry Kay]

Somebody tossed the snap in curtains.

It was part of the carat option.
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T.K.

[Wildthings]

It is a late Vanagon that came with some fancy trim that is now in the process of falling off.

[bluebus86]

Sorry for your loss of husband.

for top dollar on the van, comdotion and service history are probably more important than if the van is a carat or not (my pet rabbit may care about it being a carrot however!) so good complete service records will help bring you the best price. rust free body and good paint, no collision damage is also very important. the carat edition would be icing on the cake to someone looking for that model, but being a carat alone is not going to make the van a huge premium value over non carats. (some folks prefer the higher riding standard vans and dislike power windows and such for their complexity)

study ebay, craigslist and the samba want ads for an idea of asking prices. if the van is in good cosmetic and mechanical condition then it will bring top dollar. full camper vans demand a premium price for thoose wanting a full camper. for me a full camper would be a minus as I prefer the more storage space in the standard van, I carry a boat inside my van, would not fit in a camper version.

good luck in getting the best price for your van
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Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[Zeitgeist 13]

I don't think curtains were standard Carat features. My Bluestar doesn't have them, but my old '88 GL had all the Carat power options and dealer installed curtains and rods.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH
'01 Weekender --> full camper
NEAT, no ICE.

[D Clymer]

The snap on curtains were standard on some years, but were not included for others. The 1989 Bluestar/Whitestar didn't have them. All 1987-1988 Wolfsburg Editions (same as Carat) had them as standard equipment, as did 1990-1991 Carats. I can't remember if the regular 1989 Carat came with them or not.

[MsTaboo]

p.s. it's pronounced Ka'rat, not carrot.
_________________
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)!

[Terry Kay]

<<The snap on curtains were standard on some years, but were not included for others. The 1989 Bluestar/Whitestar didn't have them. All 1987-1988 Wolfsburg Editions (same as Carat) had them as standard equipment, as did 1990-1991 Carats. I can't remember if the regular 1989 Carat came with them or not.>>

Had an 86 Wolfsburg & a 89 Carat.

They both had the curtains.
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T.K.

[D Clymer]

[AndyBees]

Well, I've looked for evidence of curtains in my 89 ... nothing that I could see. Could have been removed, no doubt!

Question? How does the table popup? Seems there's nothing to grab, push, etc., to release it......
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful.

[D Clymer]

[D Clymer]

Van-Cafe carries the replacement table latch.

http://www.van-cafe.com/folding-table-latch

Worth a look to see the configuration of the latch.