Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 09:13:08 -0700
Reply-To: Joel Cort <joel_cort@yahoo.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joel Cort <joel_cort@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Questions about Westies and Syncros
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Bob
You are mad ;-)
It's much easier to convert a regular Syncro to become a Westy with
all the components. Just like they do at the factory. The big sun
roof is probably the trickiest. Several list members have done some
conversions to Weekenders and full Westy. I'm sure they will pipe up
here. The real pain is probably adding Air Conditioning with all the
garbage in the rear closet and the overhead components.
>How many can it seat?
My Syncro Westy has room for 5 people with the additional Carrat
opera seat behind the passenger. The seat came out of a "MV" so I
now have a Syncro Westy MV.
I guess you could squeaze 6 people in but you would need an extra
seat belt on the rear seat. I plan to do this soon since my kids
always have a friend along for the ride. Luckily they are all
small/thin enough that three people on the rear seat is not too
unconfortable. I wouldn't do it across country though.
> Also is there a year of Syncro westie that is superior to others in
> terms of value ?
They were made from 86 to 91. The one of value is the one with the
most features/options and the least rust. Pick the year they are all
good. There seems to be more of 87, 89, 90, 91 then 86 and 88. The
latter (89-91) appear to have more features such as cruize control
and power windows along with the 14" mag wheels. A real rare feature
is the 16" wheels - found on European and other models but
very/extremely rare on the US model.
Look for the lowest mileage and the maintenance record. Although I
threw that out the window when I finally found (after 3 years of
searching) my van at a dealer with 92K miles and without knowing any
of the previous maintenance or lack of. So far so good at 115K.
Only the standard cylinder heads and seals. (regardless or prior
maintenance they go by 100K on most wasserboxers)
Just did the rear brakes and rear CV's. Planning to do the front
CVs, front & rear suspension, and front brakes in a few weeks.
Look closely at the body seams for rust that is the death of our
vans. You can always rebuild and change any mechanical parts.
Everything mechanical can be obtained - for a price of course.
Where are you located? There are some occasionally here in the North
East but they may be rusting away. The good part is that they are
more affordable than the Western Syncro Westies. (like $6-15K)
Apparently people in California/Oregone/Warshington are willing to
pay $20-22K for these rare gems.
Good Luck
Joel
89 Syncro Westy MV
Rochester NY.
--- Bob Adams <madbob@pathwaynet.com> wrote:
> I think I have narrowed my search for a vw van down a bit.I want a
> westie
> syncro..but I still have questions.
>
> I have noticed that the price of syncro westies is double a regular
> westie... Can one with decent mechanical skills and a good friend
> who owns a
> tool and die shop convert a non westie syncro to be a westie ? .. I
> guess
> what I am asking what are the structural mods done by the factory ?
>
> Also how many persons can a westie seat ?
>
> Also is there a year of Syncro westie that is superior to others in
> terms of
> value ?
>
> Bob Adams
> 73 ghia vert
> 74 thing
> ?? Westie syncro
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