Vehicle Description
1987 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Syncro Westfalia
"The 1987 six seater Campers, (2WD and Syncro), are described in
the brochure with the word "base" to distinguish it from the four
seat Camper GL, which also included a kitchen. Volkswagen dropped
the "all wheel drive" description used for Syncro in the 1986
brochure in favor of calling it four wheel drive. Instead of simply
using the term Syncro, VW switched to using Syncro 4WD through the
1991 model year." Vanagon.org
For consignment, a 1987 Volkswagen GL Syncro Westfalia with a title
verified 97,886 actual miles. Purchased from the original owner in
1997, our consignor has put about 13,000 miles on the van with
extensive trips through the American Southwest after shipping the
van to Utah, as well as jaunts from Colorado to the west coast and
back to New Jersey. He states that the engine was refreshed in
1999.
Exterior
Bathed in single stage Pastel White, and it wears the battle scars
of long trips, namely a birdshot pattern of rock chips on the face,
and with a billboard flat surface up front, this is not surprising.
Beyond that front however, and the paint and body are in very good
shape, with an occasional scratch and scuff, and a line of surface
rust in a body seam. The cab forward design is unmistakable, and
the Syncro sits high on its haunches, poised for some overland
treks with all the comforts of home. That includes the roof mounted
tent which also provides a pop top roof bed. The sidewalls of the
tent are torn but there are aftermarket suppliers with a variety of
choices. Vents and hook ups are all in place and intact and the
14inch wheels wear 185R14 tires with a late 2024 date code. Upper
panels are populated with windows, tinted in the back and a wide
sliding side door allows easy access to the camper section.
Interior
So much to love here! VW simplicity is found first in the door
panels which are based in gray vinyl with a cloth insert and the
company's traditional black hardware and all looks clean. The front
cloth seats are also patterned in gray with the driver's seat
showing some compression and waviness to the side piping, but fully
intact with tall, sporty headrests and flip up armrests. For the
driver, a simple black steering wheelfronts a no nonsense
instrument cluster with speedometer, indicator lights, toggles, and
a colorful tachometer showing optimum range and red line. The
climate panel and AM/FM/CD radio, (with Aux and USB), blend into
the black mid panel under a smooth flat black dash pad. In back, a
two seat bench seat in the same gray cloth next to the a swing out
table, 2 top burner, sink, refrigerator, and flush door cabinetry.
The floor here is rubber and washable and awaits the rug of your
choice. In the way back, more cabinets and a flat pad that serves
as part of a bed but also provides a storage area and some
soundproofing for the rear mounted engine. Interior drapes
contribute to the privacy factor. It's all in very good condition,
showing a touch of age, but a comfortable little house on
wheels.
Drivetrain
In back, under the floor we find a driver quality 1915cc 4 cylinder
engine rated at 95 horsepower and fuel injected. It's mated to a
5-speed manual transmission which sends power to the wheels through
4.09 gears. Power brakes are here as front discs and rear
drums.
Undercarriage
This road warrior has the typical use patina and some surface rust
along with chipping paint, but conditions are dry and no invasive
rust was found. The single exhaust flows through a stock style
muffler and suspension consists of MacPherson strut on front and
coil springs on an independent rear set up.
Drive-Ability
Our consignors drove it to the mall, so we know it runs! And when
it was our turn, the van fired right up and we rowed it into gear.
Circling the loop, we found a surprisingly eager little engine and
the fun experience of sitting very close to the front of the
vehicle, and that provides a movie screen view of the road. The van
tracks straight, handles well, and stops as it should.
Functionally, everything such as lights, horn, and turn signals
operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that
these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
Since Covid, the overlanding phenomenon has exploded. The notion of
"staycation" relegated families and individuals to personal trips
to parks and backwoods. And while the 4x4 community has embraced
it, the Syncro VW Vanagon has been doing it for decades as one of
the original small campers that could be driven every day and park
in normal sized spots. This well running example has all the
amenities for some great staycations, exploring parks and the great
outdoors and taking your bedroom and kitchen with you in this now
legendary package!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
