Would you walk from a Syncro that looks like this?

[raoul mitgong]

[Love My Westy]

At 71 years old, I would have to vote no. I would much rather be spending my time and money out camping in my rust free, original owner 2WD '86 Weekender.

[0to60in6min]

no price given but supposed to be $4k (before OP's edit) I'd get it if I have $20 to $25K more to invest in it.. or using the parts to convert a 2WD...

as the saying "time is money..." and since I have neither both, then it's OP's call depending on what in his pocket and how skilled is he...

[raoul mitgong]

Even with 3 vans, I probably spend a fraction of the time on them than most people spend watching professional sports. It is all about where you want to spend your time and money.
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84 Westy with a 2.1 (Groover)
86 Tintop Syncro (Crow)
86 Tintop Syncro to Westy project (Tom Servo)
91 Westy (Only the top 12 inches of this van (a burn victim))

[bobbyblack]

I have a somewhat unique situation where I could store that pile of rust for a dozen years. You'd want to keep it dry, so it would slow the pace, but that would be the extent of what I would suggest as a strategy for this particular beast. I would not imagine being able to tackle the project myself, but that is mostly because I have too many right now. For an investment, I would guess you could do better in the stock market, too, but that wouldn't be as fun.

I've had plenty of old Volks, and they have been a pretty solid investment. Recently sold a super rusty split double cab for 100 times what I paid for it. Held onto it for 28 years tho.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[r39o]

[r39o]

[0cean]

If you intend on stripping the thing and sand blasting it to metal, then go for it. Otherwise no way.
_________________
I'm not a mechanic, I just play one on the internet

Cluster Rebuild:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569920&highlight=

Left for Dead the Resurrection Story Build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=613669
(Number of Different Donor VW Vans Body Parts Used: 12)
(Number of completely different vehicles parts used: 3)

[alaskadan]

People who say walk away due to all the work are right in that respect. But I think that mentality comes from remembering the days of cheap syncros being available if you want one. Which wasn't that long ago. I've only been on the syncro scene for 5 years and it has changed a lot in that time. In 5 more or ten maybe I bet people will be tripping over themselves to buy a complete syncro at that price. I'm amazed at European posts of " Look at this splitty I pulled out of the woods to restore." and the bottom 6" is missing from rust. A bay window in this condition wouldn't get as many may sayers telling you to walk. Sure it will need all new fasteners and everything rebuilt ask me how I know, mine was way worse. Besides projects like these are what I like to do. I know a number of guys who finish a project like this and the next thing you know they haul another one home. It was already stated earlier that those who have done this really know their vehicles too.

[vanagonjr]

[Christopher Schimke]

I didn't read all of the posts here so I may be echoing someone else's opinion, but here goes - I say, it depends on your expectations.
If you intend to just buy it and drive it mostly as-is, it's probably not a wise move.
If you intend to buy it knowing that you could easily (and when I say easily, I mean REALLY easily) dump 10-15K into it just making it roadworthy and you aren't too worried about the body and such being perfect, then I say it's a good buy.
If the plan is to buy it and do nearly a full restoration, you can do most of the work yourself, and you aren't worried about breaking even or possibly losing a little, then it's probably a good candidate.
Anything outside of that and it's probably best to pass on it.
If it were me, I would buy it, fix what needs fixing, treat it to slow down the progression of rust, love it for what it is, and use it the way it was intended without too much worry for the way it looks. However, I would be prepared to dump a fair amount of money into it bringing the mechanicals up to snuff.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

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[danfromsyr]

many of the national parks have wonderful lodges..
and saving $yncro money can go for alot of great night in a lodge
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[Merian]

Lots of different camping setups for the Toy P/U's

one is no longer made but it had a pop-top tent and an elevated bed platform - guy I saw at Yos. NP had it and loved it

4x4 Toy will be more off-road capable than a Syncro also
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....

[joetiger]

[E1]

I would not buy it if intending to make it nice, instead buy one at the expense of someone else's parts-buying bath.

If me, I'd buy it, remove and and restore all the Syncro goods, and install them into a clean or restorable (not-so-rusty) Westy.

I'd personally kill -- or at least, maim -- to have that chance for ours.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[joetiger]

It turns out that according to Ebay, it was worth $3500:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-Volkswagen-Bus-Vanag...1438.l2649
_________________
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

[dobryan]