1987 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon

Van Camper

2.4 GoWesty

Manual

WV2ZB0251HG037802

Clear

Gasoline

1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia GL Syncro Vin:  WV2ZB0251HG037802   Up for bids is a well preserved 1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia GL Syncro.  The van is a Colorado/New Mexico van since new. Mechanically, the van is in excellent condition with no known issues.  All camper equipment is in great working condition.  The van shows some very minor signs of interior and exterior wear and tear typical of its age.   My wife and I decided to sell the Syncro this spring after we went looking for what is on the market as a possible Syncro replacement.  My wife fell in love with the 21st century features.  She said we both could keep touring/camping well into our 80’s  with a new rig – enough said and I made the deal.   We now have one camper too many.  Tom, our NM van mechanic, offered to auction the van from his eBay account, since we are not eBay people.   The van is ready to go to a new home.  All you need is a full gas tank and hit the road.    The Syncro   The engine is a GoWesty 2400cc engine.  It provides more power and torque than the factory 2100cc.    The 2400 cc GoWesty engine was installed at 96,461 miles along with new oil cooler, clutch, throw out bearing and updated with GoWesty pistons, cylinders, bearing, rods and gasket kit at 120,457miles.   The factory 5-speed transmission has the low range first gear and can idle over rocks, through streams and the like.  It is a four-wheel drive machine and can be used for such.   The van has the factory viscous coupler and locking rear differential.  Both were tested in March 2018 and function as intended.     The van has GoWesty bigger front brakes to aid in panic stops and provide for driver comfort when on a steep downhill.  15” aluminum wheels with BFG TA2 LT215/75R15 tires handle the weight of a fully load van.   All the gauges work, all the lights work, all the camper equipment works   The van has been garaged since our purchase.   The van has not been in any fender benders or crashes.  The body has minor scratches, small dings, and chips. The sink is pitted, some of the edge molding has shrunk and door seals are torn from its time in Steamboat Springs, CO prior to our purchase.   Our most recent travel in the van was January 2018.  We completed a 5-night trip to Bisbee, AZ and back, camping in the van each night.  The 2400cc GoWesty engine we had installed supplied plenty of power to make the narrow and steep climbs of Emery Pass on Hwy 152 (the highway from I-25 to Silver City, NM) and the steep dirt washboard  road from Portal AZ over the  Chiricahua Mountains to Chiricahua National Monument, as well as pass semi’s on I-10.   We are the second owners.  The original owner of the Vanagon Westfalia GL Syncro (VIN WV2ZB0251HG037802) purchased the Syncro from Continental Volkswagen, Denver, CO February 5, 1987.  My wife and I purchased the Syncro in Steamboat  Springs, CO May 8, 2004, at 83,961 miles (per the odometer and the Bill of Sale).  The original owner provided a repair/maintenance log with receipts.   At the time of purchase we lived in Denver, CO.  We took the Syncro to our VW mechanic, Larry Blazer, Blazer Automotive (at the time we had a 1990 Westy with automatic transmission) for service.  We had a number of small items repaired/fixed/replaced such as adjust the gear shifter, change gear oil, major tune up, new plug wires and belts, change oil and filter, replace the front and rear shocks, repack CV joints so we could hit the road with confidence.  Our maiden trip was to Escalante, UT/Grand Staircase NM and surrounding area.    In addition to our January trip, our adventures in the Syncro include a 3-week tour of Baja California and riding the ferry from La Paz BCS to mainland Mexico and back to Denver.  Long weekends and up to week + trips have included Cedar Mesa, UT;  Medicine Bow National Forest, WY;  Yellowstone National Park;  Big Bend National and State Parks TX;  Colorado National Monument;  Ft. Robinson, NB;  Hovenweep National Park, UT;  Sonoran Desert, AZ;  Rocky Mountain NP, CO;  and San Juan Mountains CO.   Since we’ve owned the Syncro, it has had limited time as a grocery getter, and has served us well for its intended use:  a self-contained go anywhere traveling/camping rig.   The van has factory VW coolant, 15W40 Shell Rotella dino oil, and uses premium gas.  The catalytic converter was replaced at 116,240 miles, the stainless steel Dynaflow muffler and ss brackets and tailpipe at 121,150 miles.   It has a KN high flow air filter and rebuilt Bosch alternator.  It has an updated propane tank by GoWesty, a frig elimination kit from GoWesty, 2ea factory tables and galley floor carpet are included.  The gas cap was replaced at 84,255 miles and the coolant cap replaced at 85,896 miles.   While living in Denver the Syncro passed required state emission tests.  A high-power headlight kit is installed.   BFG TA2 LT215/785R15 tires (including spare) installed at 118,673 miles on 15”x7” aluminum rims by GoWesty are included.  Three window pop-top acrylic canvas installed at 91,632 miles.  Upgraded steel bumpers front and rear with swing away spare tire carrier (GoWesty) are installed.  Factory speakers were replaced with Focal/MA speakers at 121,150 miles along with Kenwood receiver.  The front window cranks, rubber cargo mat, pop-top lift assist kit (GoWesty), interior door panels were added or replaced.  The Fiamma awning was installed at 116,240 miles.    Replacement of the original horn with an air horn (instead of the “meep, meep”  VW sound) is a handy update and gets attention   The last oil/filter change was at 124,146 miles.   At the time of the pictures (March 12, 2018) the mileage was 124,164.   What Comes With the Sale   The new owner will receive the first owner’s service history and receipts as well as the work history and receipts of our work in addition to manuals and miscellaneous items as list below.   Farkles added during our ownership list:   ·         High power headlight kit - GoWesty ·         2400 cc GoWesty engine (Installed by Blazer Automotive, Denver CO) New clutch and throw out bearing, New oil cooler ·         Rubber floor mats - GoWesty ·         15”x7” aluminum wheels – GoWesty BFG TA2 LT215/75R15 tires including spare ·         Carpet kit – GoWesty ·         Pop-top acrylic canvas  with 3 windows – GoWesty ·         Frig elimination kit – GoWesty ·         Replace / update propane tank - GoWesty ·         Catalytic converter replace  - Tom V ·         Big Brake Kit – GoWesty ·         Steel bumpers – GoWesty ·         Swing away spare tire carrier – GoWesty ·         Fiamma awning – GoWesty ·         Spare tire cover – GoWesty ·         3rd brake lite – GoWesty ·         Airhorn – GoWesty ·         Kenwood receiver and replace 4 factory speakers (MA & Focal) ·         Replace interior door panels (3ea) – GoWesty ·         Window cranks – GoWesty ·         Pop-top assist kit – GoWesty ·         LED interior lights – GoWesty ·         Rebuilt alternator - Bosch ·         Rear rubber cargo mat - GoWesty ·         Stainless steel muffler, mounting brackets and tailpipe – Dynaflow / GoWesty   Manuals Included in the sale:   ·         Vanagan/Transporter VW Owner’s manual ·         1987 Camper Supplement to Owner’s Manual ·         USA Models VW Warranty ·         Volkswagen Maintenance ·         Bentley VW Vanagan Repair Manual ·         Kenwood KDC-168V  Manual ·         Fiamma Awning Manual   Miscellaneous Items  included in the sale:   ·         Bra – one piece ·         Igloo Marine 128 ice cooler ·         Dash cover ·         Fiamma awning kit with extra brackets, nuts & bolts ·         Extra curtain locks and glides ·         Oil filter socket ·         Fuse kit ·         Extra lug nuts ·         Heater control lever cover – spare ·         Exhaust gaskets – 2ea spare ·         Original cigarette lighter – never used ·         Heat diffusers for propane cook stove ·         Spare ignition key with magnetic hide a key box ·         Water fill key ·         Antenna key ·         Original interior light bulbs (replace by LED’s) ·         Miscellaneous nuts/bolts/washers (metric) ·         Aluminum wheel spacers for rear wheels – GoWesty – not installed ·         Original window cranks – replaced ·         Potable water pump – replaced ·         New doors seals (2 front doors + slider) – not installed ·         Cabinetry edging strip– 45 ft (+/-) roll  - not installed ·         Galley rug   Title   In preparation for the sale of the Syncro, we did a CarFax search earlier this year.  The search indicated no problems except for the NM title is branded with a Odometer Problem  and  Not Actual Mileage Title.   We contacted Colorado DMV and NM DMV to see about the mistake.  Instead, we found out we were caught in a Catch 22.   The title issued by Colorado (CO) in 2004 for the Syncro transaction included “0” odometer miles despite the Bill Of Sales and Odometer disclosure mileage  of 83,962 miles.   In a recent email correspondence with CO DMV, they responded as follows:  “The reason why the Title shows “0” for odometer disclosure is because the vehicle is over 10 years old (at time of transfer of title).  Vehicle is 10 years old or older:  No odometer requirements apply.”     When we registered the Syncro in New Mexico, in 2013,  NM listed the actual odometer miles at that time on the title (112,390 miles)  but branded the title with a “NM” code which means “Not Actual Miles”.    We queried the NM DMV when we were alerted by the CarFax search and NM DMV said the brand was required because of the “0” miles on the Colorado title.   Catch 22.   We believe the odometer is correct and have no reason to believe otherwiase.   The lesson learned:  If you buy a vehicle over 10 years old in Colorado and title it in Colorado your title will show “0” odometer miles.   Be  warned, if you move to New Mexico because the “0” miles on the Colorado title will drive a “NM” Not Actual Miles brand on the NM title.   Auction Terms   This is a seven (7) day no reserve auction.  Please bid early and bid often.  The high bid will buy this van.  End of story.   Your winning the bid is a contract, not an option to buy.  Don’t bid if you don’t have the money.  No trades will be considered.   A non-refundable deposit of $1,000.00 by PayPal, wire transfer, or cashier’s check is due within 48 hours of the auction close.   Balance is due within 7 days, by wire transfer or cashier’s check.   The van comes with a New Mexico title, signed by my wife and I.  The odometer reading will be recorded on the title.  You can add whatever you like for the purchase price and the date.   I recommend coming to see the van in person before the end of the auction.  We are 30 minutes NW of the Albuquerque NM airport.  We will make time for you.   If you want to ship the car, I will work with your shipper to get it picked up “here” during daylight hours.  “Here” means within a 30 minute  drive of Corrales.   If you opt to fly in and drive the van home, I will support you any way I can.  I will meet you at the airport, get ice for your cooler, etc.   Per NM law, the license plates stay with the seller.   I can offer secure storage for a maximum of 30 days after the end of the auction.  Longer storage is available but not free.   If you have read all of this, you have earned access to the photo folder at:   https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMa8fCQlbuDOXJhagM3gKoT9AUJKjapAZNw37t-fcWY3WhvpdyEI7e4oa9e8o9UUg?key=cFV0bVJNYmNPT3hBRHBoX0NzdUt6cUVkYmQza0tB   Send me a message if you can’t get in.   If you need additional information about anything on this car, feel free to ask a question or call me at 505-917-2411 during polite calling hours (Mountain time).  I will try to provide any special photos that don’t exceed my limited artistic capabilities.