I did not appreciate just what a rare thing this South African VW T3 Syncro found in NYC by wooriegi is when I first saw it at the Cohort. wooriegi did put an exclamation mark at the end of his caption, since I’m sure he was surprised just to find any SA T3 bus in New York. But this isn’t just any SA bus; this appears to be one of exactly 89 Syncros that were built there in 1991 and 1992. (Update: apparently more were built previously, but not with the big windows and other changes starting in 1991)
Note that there’s a number of differences on these SA T3s, such as the bigger side windows, and different grilles and such. Most importantly, SA T3s had inline VW/Audi water cooled engines starting in 1991 (when they got the big windows). The basic van got the 1.8 L four, but the nicer Microbus and upscale Carat got treated to much more potent Audi 5 cylinders, in 2.3, 2.5 and 2.6 L variants, with some 135hp and even 5 speed transmissions, power steering and other goodies. And they were built until 2002. But these 89 Syncros still got the 2.1 L “wasserboxer”, presumably because of their unique transmissions. So this is one odd duck, and mighty far away from home.
It took me a bit to sort out the information on these, as it’s a bit confusing, especially the part about switching to the inline engines the same year (1991) they also built the first of these 89 Syncros. But I’ve confirmed it from several sources now.
Interestingly, this bus has not been converted any or much beyond its original configuration, as the third seat is still original although there does appear to be some kind of cabinet on the right side. And of course it has that raised roof.
It’s also impossible to be sure, but the exhaust looks rather more stock than not, suggesting it still has its original 2.1 L waterboxer. Swapping in the 1.9 L TDI is a popular upgrade on these, or the 1.8 L gas inline four.
In any case, this is an unusual find and I’ve learned a few things about these SA T3s that I didn’t know before. That’s what keeps this job interesting.
Wow, extremely cool! I never realized an Audi 5cyl would fit or had been done, but this means that in theory perhaps even a turbo RS2 version could be created although it’d likely be easier just to fit a Porsche flat-6 instead for a speedfreak. A Vanagon Syncro “R” would be an interesting beast.
With cars being longer lasting than ever and being offered in more and more different permutations elsewhere in the world, I think we’ll keep seeing many more 25-year-old forbidden fruits wash up over here in the years to come.
It was tilted on its side, but even then the rear engine cover had to be raised 100mm. But only the center section actually needed to be that high, so there were two small storage compartments on either side of it.
This one only has the SA plates on it, so presumably it’s a very recent arrival.
With the ZA sticker and spare cover, I suspect it’s a visitor, not an import.
Yup, it’s a visitor; if it were an import it’d have American licence plates on it by the time it were to be found out on the street like this. I can’t imagine it being anything like cost-effective to ship a vehicle overseas for use on a vacation, but I guess it must be, because people do it. Last year on a road trip around BC I encountered two or three RVs from Europe, being driven around North America by European families.
I’ll stick with my theory of it being a very recent import. If someone was shipping their bus all the way from SA (not cheap) for a big tour of the US, wouldn’t you expect to see lots of stuff in it? Signs of a big trip? Baggage, etc.? It looks empty as best as can be seen.
These are very hot, and there’s a steady stream of SA T3 exports to the US.
Fair points. But who’s going to leave an unregistered car worth considerable money (in transport alone) out on the street like that?
What’s going to possibly happen to it? You think a cop is going to stop and park his car and walk back to it and worry about a parked VW bus with exotic plates on it, in NYC, and instantly call a two truck? As if they would ever notice it; not. And how would he know that they’re not just visiting?
You’re imagining/creating a scenario that’s just not real. Either that or my logic has utterly melted away.
My train of thought went like this: Unregistered vehicle –> probably uninsured vehicle –> anything happens to/with it, owner’s outta luck and probably out a lot of money, especially if there’s liability involved.
As to its emptiness, I would imagine someone from RSA would be well-practised at keeping any and all stealable items of even minimal value out of public view—especially such an individual who could and would pull off the logistics of a car trip from RSA to NYC.
Aw, well. Only her hairdresser knows for sure!
I’d not noticed how empty it looks, so you may also be right. But it’s definitely done.
Every summer I see at least a half-dozen European-plated camper-type vehicles in the mountains of BC and Alberta to know that it’s done. Knowing the cost of RV rentals here, or the cost of motels, it’s only a matter of how long you’re staying to make this type of prospect make sense.
I’ll offer another theory, partly because I keep coming back here to look at the pictures of this vehicle since I’m so enamored by it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s part of a larger group of vehicles brought over for a camping tour of North America. It seems that South Africans often take part in caravaning-type camping trips, and I can see that being the case here… with this being one of the passenger vehicles they used, and that they drove it into NYC for the day.
Just a guess.
Back in 1955 a reverse scenario was in National Geographic, a large group of Americans shipped their cars and Airstream trailers to Europe and toured most all of the countries, just some of the tow vehicle’s (all new 1955’s) Chrysler New Yorker sedan, Cadillac Fleetwood 60 S, Ford Country Sedan (Fairlane trim), Mercury Montclair, and about 15 others. The Airstream’s were the larger dual axle style, photos were wonderful of the caravan traveled through small villages, filling the streets.
I guess it shouldn’t be too difficult; as Type 1.5 or Type 2 Kombis were really common here in Uruguay but there was a Diesel conversion craze (1980’s to late ’90s), anything would fit into anything. So, it was quite popular to fit (don’t know the details) a 1600 VW Diesel in the back, with a radiator up front. There were even 2.4 D Toyota engines put back there. The last run of Brazilian Kombis, (Type 2, built up to 2013) were equipped with a 1.4 in line, water cooled engine shared with Gol and the like. Oh, and the squarish readiator up front.
https://www.infoauto.com.ar/institucional/detalle/volkswagen-kombi-last-edition-lanzamiento-en-brasil
1. That big window South African T3 Transporter also has a Westfalia-style after market pop-top roof with the higher rear. Normal factory Westfalias had a special roof with a hole in it and flat roof bow built by the VW factory in Hanover. If you converted your roof later, you had to have this special roof to allow for the upstairs be to be folded out of the way.
2. I have taken my VW T2 Transporter across four continents with it’s Australian plates and “AUS” sticker. I had to have “Carnet de Passage en Douane” for it. That’s like a special passport for it. You get it from an automobile association and usually requirtes a considerable security deposit (to ensure you don’t sell the car in a country you visit). This mode of long haul overland travel is much molre common than many realise. Here is a photo of my Australian VW in London with its Australian plates and “AUS” sticker.
Given the huge popularity of “normal” Vanagons I’m surprised I haven’t seen the raised roof show up here more often. There are several aftermarket 4wd accessory companies importing pickup camper shells and tents from South Africa by the container load; I’d think scouring SA junkyards for these Vanagon tops could be a lucrative side business. Thanks for spotting this on Cohort and thanks to the original photographer. As a former Vanagon owner I knew some of the overseas variants (hah) but was unaware of these.
I saw a very nice Vanagon Diesel yesterday. Shiny light blue with Maine plates.
I found something similar in Dunedin a couple of years ago now I’m wondering if its the same model I just assumed it was a Syncro camper van like all the others but maybe not. I’ll have a dig thru photos after work.
For a few minutes of hilarity on this cold Calgary morning, google “David Kramer VW syncro advert sa”. Few years ago, saw blue RHD drive bus in Canadian Tire parking lot. Owner eventually appeared, showed me the 5 cylinder Audi engine. Lots of South Africans have emigrated to Canada.
Those ads are outstanding — thanks for this.
Looks like David Kramer made a series of VW ads in SA; I’m posting a direct link here to the one I think you were referring to:
Yes, you found the one specific to Syncro, but couple of the other ads are for the bus in general. Last ad was apparently made in 2012, a farewell to the Volksie.
I was amazed to read that David Kramer’s association with VW lasted for something like 13 years — that’s remarkable for a celebrity endorsement, and all these ads are great.
“Daddie, you’re a ge-ni-us for buying us a Volksie bus!”
Hey! This bus is from Cape Town, my town.. I didn’t realize how rare this particular model was. Back in the early 90’s the Audi engined rear driven Caravelles were really popular. Before SUV’s etc this was the go-to upmarket choice if you had a surfboard, 3 kids, a Labrador and wanted to announce your outdoor lifestyle. David Kramer ads sold a lot of VW’s, this was part of the journey to VW being perennially around the top of the South African sales charts till today.
The idea of that warbling five in the bus really appeals, but one would hope they’d bothered to give it a cooling system by then. The Wasserboxer jobbie was a Heath Robinson affair that didn’t even approach adequate in warm climes.
Brakes were hopefully given some attention too, as, in the original, there is much debate as to whether or not they were actually fitted in RHD form, at least as personally experienced: lots of squash (to the literal floor at times), followed by only a casual reduction in speed.
I wonder when someone is going to admit that these handsome, steel-solid, excellent handling, beautiful-riding, quiet and super-comfortable boxes are in truth the equivalent of, I dunno, a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr?
That car was utterly gorgeous, probably super-comfy, overweight, underpowered, overheated, unreliable, brakeless, and, in sum, a desirable object of wonder that is an ornament to its profession (of automobilism) but equally, and alas, just an ornament, usually out-of-service, on – or near – the road.
is it seinfelds?
Had a 1940 Zephyr sedan, black, wide whites and gorgeous which you described near perfectly, the V12 usually had a light trail of oil smoke, although very smooth running, biggest problem was vapor lock in hot weather, until it quit near a fruit and vegetable stand along the road, the vendor, came over with a large grapefruit, slit it open and pretty well encased the fuel pump. He said ‘Try it.’ Cranked awhile then started. He recommended buying a large shopping bag full of grapefruit, said when one dries out, replace it. About 80 miles later, started to sputter, quickly pulled over, changed the grapefruit, sputtered a bit, smoothed out, back on the road. Made it back from Texas to northern Cal in the old girl in 110 degree heat. Loved the experience of driving individual personality cars, good or bad.
I love it (car and story both).
More cars should run on grapefruits. Heck, it sounds like a fine and sustainable ecological proposition to me.
I was in ZA (Capetown) and rented a T3 converted to a tintop camper for 10 days. We toured all through the south. The van had a 5 cylinder and 5 speed . VWSA emlarged the engine compartment to accommodate the 5 cyl ( sits like a 4cyl diesel on its side, but used a mustache bar like a water boxer. I didn’t feel it was super powerful, but it held 65 well and in SA was plenty.
Was hoping it is for sale when I saw the pic browsing for a VW Transporter.
Didn’t you park in Obz for a while in the Waverley Park?
Even if not selling, do you perhaps have an idea or contact for me to get a T3 Transporter panel van with not too much milage?
I want to use it as a company car for timber work and it has to be fully closed, so no windows in the back.
Would really appreciate some info, as the market is terrible at the moment.
Thanks and best regards