Date:         Wed, 6 Oct 1999 11:07:18 -0700
Reply-To:     "Renouard, Robert" <Robert.Renouard@METROKC.GOV>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Renouard, Robert" <Robert.Renouard@METROKC.GOV>
Subject:      Re: 1987 passenger Syncro For sale with factory ? Westy top.  IN
              PERSON REPORT
Comments: To: David Hayward <dhayward@ISLAND.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain

> ----------
> From:         David Hayward[SMTP:dhayward@ISLAND.NET]
> Reply To:     David Hayward
> Sent:         Thursday, September 30, 1999 11:35 AM
> To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject:      1987 passenger Syncro For sale with factory ? Westy top.
>
> A friend of mine noticed a "reposessed" 1987 Vanagon with Syncro for sale
> in
> the Vancouver BC area. I phoned another "Syncronaut" who knows of the
> vehicle abit.  Apparantly it was custom ordered by a VW higher up employee
> originaly. It is a 7 passenger with curtains & a Westfalia top. There are
> no
> other camper bits inside I'm told. It is white in color with a stated
> 97,000
> km, light grey interior. The mileage sounds a bit suspect but who knows
> ???
>
> If interested contact:      Accurate Bailiffs at (604)-526-3737
>                                          Andy Chapdelaine
> There is a single photo on their web site @ www.repodepobc.com
>
I saw and test drove the "thing" yesterday.  According to the VIN it is an
1989 and I was hoping for an under priced Syncro Westfalia like some I have
seen in Seattle, but what I saw was an overpriced piece of junk.  I just
sold my 78 Volvo for $500 and it was superior.

First impression:  Dull paint, sits very low for a syncro, driver's door
doesn't open from outside, needed jump to start, missing piece from rear
lid, sliding door wont stay open.

Exterior:  Bondo-repaired rear left, the usual bent rear bumper.

Interior:  Slightly worn, rates a 6/10, no arm rests, steering wheel seems
older than the one on my 86, fabric is less nice than what I see on the U.S.
models, radio doesn't work.

Engine compartment:  Lots of rust. Probably sat for a long, long time before
someone decided to finally get rid of it.  No power steering.  The car
probably saw a lot of snow.

Running condition:  Low power, vibration when accelerating, spark plugs
corroded, significant oil leak (couldn't find source)

Pop Top:  OK condition, exterior faded, one very small tear in canvas,
canvas probably weakened from age and/or ultraviolet.

If it could be had for $500, and you were willing to invest another 3-4K, it
might be a decent car.

The odometer says 95,000 kilometers (60,000) miles???   IMPOSSIBLE This
thing has been beat up!  Even if it were in good shape, It would not and
could not be a Syncro Westy like the almost luxury models I see in the
States. This Canadian version is a cheaper, utilitarian version.