1989 VW T3 Syncro 4x4 TDI High-Top Camper

Seller's Description

I came across a very interesting 1989 Volkswagen T3 Syncro 4x4 high-top camper currently for sale in Europe and thought it might interest people here who are into Vanagons, Syncros, and overland campers. For those unfamiliar, the T3 Syncro is the factory AWD version of the Vanagon/T3 and is known for being one of the most capable camper vans VW produced. With front and rear differential locks, they are extremely capable off-road and very popular for overland builds. This particular van has been fully restored and heavily upgraded, and the owner is asking $41,400. I’m based in the UK and run a small project sourcing unique vehicles called: https://www.retroridesandrelics.com/ I’ve already helped send three vehicles to North America, so this would be the fourth vehicle I’d be exporting there. If someone here is interested, I could fly to Spain or elsewhere in Europe to inspect or purchase the van, organise export paperwork, and arrange shipping from Spain to any North American port. For this one I’d only be looking to make around $500 profit after expenses. If this particular van is too expensive, I can also source cheaper Syncro vans or other European camper vans, depending on what someone is looking for. Vehicle overview: 1989 Volkswagen T3 Syncro 4x4 High-Top Camper. Mileage about 145,000 miles. Engine 1.9L TDI diesel (AHU swap) producing 122 hp. Manual transmission. Diesel engine. Factory Syncro AWD system with front and rear differential locks. First registration February 1989 with 3 previous owners. Accident-free. Seats 4, with 2 beds sleeping up to 4 people. Beige exterior and beige interior. German inspection valid until February 2027. Key features include four-wheel drive Syncro system, front and rear differential locks, auxiliary heating, all-season tires, armrest, USB port, radio/CD player, fixed trailer hitch, and fold-flat passenger seat. The engine is a 1.9L TDI AHU swap from a donor vehicle that had about 75,000 miles, now showing approximately 112,000 miles. Oil and filters have been changed every 3,000 miles. It has an intercooler, diesel pre-filter, and factory snorkel. The transmission includes factory front and rear lockers with viscous coupling. The gearbox was rebuilt by VW Syncro specialist Paul Gillett (Vantopia, Ireland) with new bearings, synchronizers, seals and gaskets, SA oiling plates upgrade, upgraded GT-Gears 3rd gear, and a straight-cut 4th gear. The rebuild invoice totals about $4,600 USD. CV joints and driveshaft have also been refurbished. Suspension and chassis upgrades include Bilstein B6 shocks on all four corners, heavy-duty springs, powder-coated suspension components, polyurethane bushings, and upgraded vented front brakes with larger callipers. The van sits on Toyo Open Country AT3 tires with about 750 miles mounted on 16-inch Mefro steel wheels that were freshly powder-coated. The body underwent a full restoration in 2018, repainted in VW L345 Beige. The underbody is rust-free, and all window seals, trim, and guides were replaced during the restoration. The electrical system includes dual batteries, a 100Ah LiFePO4 lithium battery, Victron 30A booster charger, Victron MPPT solar regulator, two 100W solar panels, and a 120A Bosch alternator. The water system has approximately 40 gallons of fresh water capacity, consisting of two 16-gallon tanks plus two 4-gallon drinking water containers. There is also a grey water tank and a 2.6-gallon hot water tank connected to the engine coolant system, which can stay warm for up to 24 hours. The camper interior was originally a Reimo high-top camper but has been fully redesigned. It now includes Armaflex insulation, insulated flooring, sound deadening throughout, custom cabinetry, bamboo countertops, an Autotherm diesel heater, a Dometic CRX80 fridge (about 20 gallons / 78L), thermal windows, memory foam mattress, and a portable toilet. The sleeping setup can accommodate two adults and two children or three adults. Recovery and off-road equipment includes a 12,000 lb winch with plasma rope, heavy-duty aluminium front skid plate, factory rear skid plate, Hi-Lift jack, sand ladders, and a hardwired compressor under the rear seat. Exterior equipment includes a rear carrier system with spare wheel mount, two new 5-gallon jerry cans, removable Fiamma bike rack, cargo basket, and the entire carrier can be removed by one person in minutes. It also has a Fiamma F45S awning, Hella fog lights, Carello high beam lights, rear LED work lights, side work lights, and a front roof rack for additional gear or a second spare wheel. The van has real expedition history and successfully completed a Pan-American Highway journey from Argentina to Colombia without a single breakdown, and it was featured on Expedition Portal. If someone is interested, I can help organise inspection, purchase, export paperwork, transport to Spain, and shipping to North America. Typical ports include Jacksonville, Savannah, Baltimore, Houston, Los Angeles, or Vancouver, but shipping can be arranged to most ports. The owner is asking $41,400, but if this example is too expensive I can usually source cheaper Syncro vans or other interesting European camper vans. If anyone here is interested in European Syncros, diesel campers, or unique overland vans, feel free to message me. More information about what I do can be found here: https://www.retroridesandrelics.com/ 🚐

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