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Amazing caverns at Les Grottes du Roc


Picnic on the banks of the Vezere



G.O.T.H 2013

Since our return to the UK we have attended Rewind Festival and G.O.T.H in the van.


At Rewind I made a few changes in the cab which are the mere beginnings of our retro theme. It won't be everyone's taste but we love hunting parts and gear down. This van won't be your usual Syncro.

Had a great time at both and it was good to work out how the van needs to change to suit two different camping situations. We will soon have essentials onboard. But one set of gear in the trailer for family outings and another set ready to be loaded into the van for less equipment dependant days when myself and Kate alone escape.

I am now looking to get a Cobb BBQ, solar panel and a Fiamma Zip awning.

The interior despite only recently being fitted is coming out again soon. We decided we prefer living space to wardrobe style cupboards so the Reimo is out and a Multivan bed, buddy and custom kitchen block will replace it. We are also adding a bed/storage over rear in the hightop as our nieces and nephews may occasionally stop over.

With Busfest nearly upon us and a few niggles I had friends Matt and Beanhead investigate the slipping clutch while I was at work. It looks like a worn spigot bearing has killed the bell housing oil seal and hence the oil has killed the clutch.

New bearing, seal and bell housing gasket have been ordered and I am hoping to get it back in over the week.

We diagnosed the dodgy steering to a stretched PAS belt. An easy fix but it makes the van so much more civilised to drive now.

The 'Glambulance' as it is now known is about to start looking tougher.

I am trading the steels and road tyres with MG for some 15" Pentas. These will be kitted out with 215/75R15 All Terrains.




I also mocked up the tailgate with the Paulchen and ladder. This setup will allow me to carry a spare, hi-lift and other bits plus 2 bikes and allow access to the roof.

The Paulchen needs modifying but should work out OK. As this is a solid tailgate it's not a great strain to open

Pentas fitted. They need a refurb but I know these are right for the van. Can't wait to get the AT tyres on.



Spent this morning swapping the rear springs for some MAD lift springs and Futbus shock extender platforms. It's now 40mm higher at the back.

Should make for plenty of clearance once rubbered up.

It was good to get my hands dirty and familiarise myself once again. It's a short term state. Once I have all the bits each rear arm will be totally refurbished and upgraded.

Began looking at making some decent seat bases for the Recaros. My spine is welded on 4 vertebrae so a good seat is essential.

I picked up some rare 80's Recaro LS which I intend to fit and have a few choices on how.

One of these is to strip down a stock VW seat (dead foam, worn fabric) to use the base. My other options are some Recaro runners that need spacers or some unknown aftermarket runners. Which one wins.....

More retro-tat for the bus arrived.



The satchel will be used to store cutlery and stuff like chopping boards which rattle around and tend not to fit anywhere easily.

The game, Simon works so it's always there for fun on a rainy day. I'm going to modify it to fit over a Flettner roof vent. It will look cool and have it's own storage space.

Good holiday pics and I love the steering wheel.

Get the cobb 1st we even bake bread in ours, never touched the gas at vw action over the weekend

With a new clutch and bellhousing oil seal installed we set of for a special weekend at Busfest with the Syncros out in force.

Met some great people from lots of countries, shared experiences and ideas, tools, parts and condiments MG and the team put on an awesome display and I was impressed with the educational element. Helping out was an honour.

To top it off we were invited to join in the Berlin Bus Treffen Syncro Trail and with a few others headed into the woods to test the van.



I was very apprehensive as the VC was of an unknown state and we hadn't yet fitted the underbody protection. With a fresh clutch and no prior experience of note myself and my wife (as co-driver) were only the second to attempt the trail that morning.



I cocked up the first attempt due to a general lack of confidence and time spent off the tarmac, we wound up cocking a spinning front wheel in the air.




Exciting, photogenic? but not a true pass - but at least we knew the drivetrain was working. Encouraged by the cheering and clapping of our fellow Syncro owners and eager to prove the van could do it we attacked the exit again, balls out and succeeded. From then on it was fun and a good learning session.



We both came out grinning from ear to ear and proud of ourselves and the van. People loved seeing it muddy on display.

Bring on next year, a cruise to Berlin and more happy trails.

A few more shots from Busfest.

I enjoyed sharing ideas and information with the guys there. Dai, Hannes, Gary (garyd), Fabian (Fabzzz), Mike and more were very helpful and explained a few things I wasn't sure about. I also got more ideas for the van in terms of retro changes and equipment levels.

The colourscheme has long been considered but seeing the lovely red Dehler syncro and a couple of other bright vans we both agreed that we need something fun, that we can use and not worry about marking. Ideally something we can repaint ourselves if need be.

Here is our little plan. It ticks many boxes. Retro-check, colour-check, easy to paint-check.



All other trim will be black to give the van a bit of contrast and sense. This includes bumpers, grilles, trim, rubbers, ladder, wheel rack, badging and more.

Not sure if the wheels will feature any colour yet but the Pentas lend themselves to colour nicely. I may have to experiment.

Having never met before I didn't even know that was you until I saw these pics...
Rob.

Is that good or bad Rob?

Always good to put a face to a name.
Rob.

Of course. We were parked next to each other IIRC

An unexpected windfall landed at the right time for once.

To anyone watching the Ortecs on Ebay.de I must apologise. They had to be mine



Can't wait to get them fitted and started improving on them.

That's a great colour scheme. Jealous of the wheel carriers!