1987 Syncro 4WD Westfalia Vanagon

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Location: Columbus, Ohio, United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Volkswagen
  • Model: Bus/Vanagon
  • Type: Van Camper
  • Year: 1987
  • Mileage: 82,000
  • VIN: WV2ZB0252HG039932
  • Color: White
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: 4WD
  • Interior color: Gray
  • Options: 4-Wheel Drive
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1987 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon Description

Restored 1987 Westfalia Syncro with roughly 82,000 miles on it. This van gets comments, questions and thumbs up everywhere we go. I bought it out in Costa Mesa from a shop that specializes in building and repairing high-end Syncros. This van is unique from a lot of other vans you'll see because of its low mileage, the detailed restoration, and of course the fact that it's a Syncro/4WD. It's in excellent condition and it runs great. I'm including the original ad of the restoration project below, along with pictures, so that you can see everything that was put into the van. Check out the links to the photo bucket albums below- because you'll see over 200 pictures of the restore along with another 175 of the vans current condition.
Since owning it- I've driven it cross country 3 times. It's seen deserts, oceans, mountains, glaciers, forests...and everything in between. The good news for you is that I've worked through a number of engine kinks in my travels- and my last trip from the West Coast back to Ohio was completely trouble free. So it's pretty dialed in. There are no known engine issues or "quirks" of the van for the next owner. Some additions since owning it are:
- Rebuilt alternator
- New starter
- GoWesty Pop Top Lift Assist Strut Kit installed
- New radio (includes Bluetooth)
- Rebuilt Shifter
This is on top of everything that went into the restoration a year ago. (Details below)
(One other thing to note is that I've never used the stove or the fridge. The seller told me that they work...so I'll take that at face value. I always traveled with a cooler and a travel stove so I've never had the need to use them. The fridge for me has been additional storage.)
Original restoration details are below. As mentioned above, I've driven cross country 3 times since the restore, along with some in state camping weekends. It's still in great condition and I've had no incidents since owning that would change the condition from what you're seeing below:
1987 Syncro Westfalia- Low Mileage, None Finer
"Europro is proud to offer what we feel is the nicest Syncro Westfalia we have ever come across. My repair and restoration repair shop has been a well regarded Syncro specialist for 22 years now. We build and service a large number of very high-end Syncros so are well aware of what's available. This car is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time.
I hope that interested buyers have paid attention to the markets offerings and are Syncro educated. Please go out and check out the other cars available. I promise no time wasted on this car and you will find none finer.
I actively search the western US looking for low mileage exceptional Vanagons. My standards are rust free and hopefully original paint. I seek to represent the most desirable cars that I can find. I haven’t had an acceptable Syncro Westy in years and it’s not for lack of looking.
This car was sitting waiting for me not more then 5 miles from my shop. It had been sitting in the owners driveway since 1994 unused. I service this car nearly 20 years ago and never saw it again. I put some tires under it and towed it back to my shop and washed it. The odometer showed 69415 miles and it was confirmed by Carfax as original. All paint was confirmed as original. It was inspected as 99% rust free. The paint was badly faded and all the rubber was in need of replacement. Photos of the pre restoration are here;
http://s441.photobucket.com/user/ohhhlovely/library/Syncro%20Start
I then tore the car down to a shell and sent it out for paint. Given the cars value I had it shot in exact color code matched L90D Pastel White. There is minimal bodywork done and the car was blocked to beyond OEM standards. All doors, slider and hatch were shot off the car. The level of quality on bodywork and paint is impeccable. I spent $8500 to paint a non rusty and minimal body work car!
The car was then reassembled with all new seals and trim. It has NOS new lens’ all around. All body hardware is stainless. Terrawagen flares are installed. This car is restored to perfection. I had a set of Ronal R9 wheels in the correct Syncro offset. The wheels are perfect including the NOS spare. I put on new BFG AT’s in 215/75R15.
Mechanically the motor has 69000 miles since new. It got replacement cylinder heads by Volkswagen less then 10000 miles ago. We went through all aspects of the engine and gave it a complete stainless coolant hose and junction retrofit. New radiator, all new fuel hose upgrade. Bosch tune, new German belts. We fabricated new A/C hoses front to rear and recharged the R12 system. All fluids where serviced. It has a brand new stainless exhaust with a new California legal stainless catalytic converter. Net results is the engine runs and drives exactly as it was intended to. The A/C blow really cold.
The trans was rebuilt 9000 miles ago and we simply serviced it and the diff with synthetic gear oil. It shifts and operates like new. We went through all drive axles and cleaned, inspected and repacked all CV joints x 8. It has all new German boots x 8.
We rebuilt the front end to include: upper control arm bushings, upper and lower ball joints, replacement rack boots. We installed new Old Man Emu shocks x 4 and a Go Westy 2” lift spring set. The car was then 4 wheel aligned. The net results is the car is like new tight and tracks laser straight.
The brakes are 100% new utilizing all German parts. It was retrofitted with teflon/stainless brake hoses. A new German master and flushed and bled hydraulics. The car has a firm and high pedal and stops dead straight.
Mechanically this car has been returned to better then new condition as many systems have been upgraded well beyond original. It has been road test verified perfect. You will not find a more mechanically solid car available.
On the electrical side it has an all new headlamp upgrade kit with high powered bulbs and all new adjusters that have been correctly aimed. All lens are new OEM with new German bulbs. Electrically everything works as new.
The interior is flawless with no rips, stains or tears. It has all the attributes of a well maintained, low mileage car. All tables, curtains, bug nets and factory accessories are there. New OEM keys, all locks matched and even OEM valet keys are present.
Camper side includes a new 3 window Go Westy tent. It has a rebuilt skylight with new parts. The propane tank was replaced and new feed lines fabricated. The sink pump was replaced. All the camper hook ups are the new Go Westy style.
An exhaustive documentation of the mechanical and cosmetic rebuild can be found here;
http://s441.photobucket.com/user/ohhhlovely/library/Syncro%20Build
In total the cost of this mechanical and cosmetic restoration would be over $40K. All work was done by professionals utilizing the absolute best parts on the market and installed with competence. The net results are as good as you will find.
The finished car is shown in this detailed photo gallery;
http://s441.photobucket.com/user/ohhhlovely/library/Syncro%20Final
My shop is well regarded and we only represent the nicer cars you’ll find offered. I’m highly critical in my descriptions and standards so seek to eliminate disappointments. I infrequently sell cars to enhance my reputation, not harm it. I do not “flip” cars. Check my references athttp://www.roadhaus.com/shops.php(enter Europro in shop name).
This description may be a little long-winded but is my attempt to thoroughly apprise buyers of the cars exact details. "
I hope this ad answers all of your questions. If there's anything else you'd like to know- please ask! I'm in Ohio, so anyone local is welcome to arrange a test drive. You don't see these vans too much out here! :) If you're on the west coast I will work with you on shipping.