If you are enamored with the outdoors and cannot keep away from the campgrounds, then you already know that the best way to see them all is in a conversion van. While many nascent ‘vanners’ have decided to perform uncouth conversions on ill-suited vehicles, most stick to the practical reality of purchasing one that has already been perfected by a company with subject tenure. Few carry a pedigree for van creation surpassing Volkswagen, and the Vanagon may well be the most renown thanks to the sixties. So if you are currently in the market for a reliable, nearly all-terrain recreational vehicle then stay tuned because in a few days we have a 1989 VW Vanagon Westfalia with Syncro coming to auction. Here is the sneak preview.
Painted from the factory in Dove Blue Metallic, the original color has been reapplied by a previous owner. However, this van has seen use in the rugged outdoors, so some areas of the paint have begun to display wear. Volkswagen offered the Vanagon in several trims; this example is a Westfalia optioned as a Campermobile variant. With that box checked, buyers received a pop-up roof sleeping area and a kitchenette. The roof works as intended and only has a few small tears in the mesh ventilation screen. Overall, the Westfalia’s exterior is stock besides a set of 16” Mercedes-Benz eight-spoke wheels that wear Kumho Ecsta LX tires.
Inside, the front captain’s chairs (reversible) and the rear bench seat are covered in grey cloth. A standard black plastic dashboard supports functional air conditioning, an aftermarket radio, and the differential lock display. Meanwhile, a tachometer, a speedometer, and a digital clock provide drivers with basic instrumentation. In the aft chamber is the kitchenette and dining table composed of a two-burner stove, propane-fueled refrigerator, and a stainless steel sink, which gives occupants adequate cooking appliances. To stock items, various storage areas with swing-doors are placed throughout the cabin. Folding tables that attach to the front seats are provided with the purchase.
The engine was updated in 1983, and the powerplant was no longer cooled by air but by water. A 2.1-liter rear-mounted engine now gave drivers 95 horsepower, and our particular example had the block rebuilt in 2008. Power is distributed out to all wheels courtesy of a Steyr-Puch Syncro (AWD) system and five-speed manual transmission. Plus, the central drive shaft of the Syncro system was rebuilt in 2010.
First sold in Canada, this Vanagon has traveled to many states with the initial owners. Carfax begins reporting in 1990 in Washington and remains incident free to date. Included with the sale is a letter from the Canadian government declaring compliance with U.S. regulations, service records, and a clean California title. The auction begins next week so get your Instagram ready for #VanLife!
