Help! I just bought a Syncro

[hammerhead]

Hello, I have just bought a 1987 Caravelle syncro 1.6td. I bought it blind on ebay as I couldn't get to see it (stupid I know). There is a fault with the head and some parts missing which I didn't mind too much as would go for a TDI conversion. The body work is in worse condition than I thought and have posted some pictures.
I am trying to work out the best thing to do,

1. Restore it

2. Convert my 1991 1.6td Autohomes tin top in very good condition into a syncro

3. Break it for parts, sell my 1991 tin top and buy a syncro in better condition.

Your thoughts would be appreciated and please don't be too hard, I know I was stupid to buy it blind.

Thanks

ps any good t25 mechanics or bodywork guys around the Gatwick area?

[Cooper]

All up to you.

It doesn't look like to much body work to be done, I you can do it yourself and have the equipment or if you really want just a syncro sell yr Tin top and the syncro you just bought and by one that doesn't need any or little body work doing.

As long as the main body an chassis is good and mechanically good then I wouldn't sell it. I'd keep it.

[tforturton]

Like she says, if you can do the work yourself, then start on the big stuff/MOT failure stuff, and work towards the rest as you go along. Same if you can't do it yourself - get some quotes for the big/MOT work, and take it from there. We all live with a little bit of surface rust, but we get the bad stuff sorted pretty quickly.
You have to appreciate that there aren't many people daft enough to buy a car (especially a syncro) without seeing it, so you may have a job selling it on. You wanted a syncro - now you have one. All you have to do is tidy it up.

[Simon Baxter]

Heh.
I bid on that.
I never bid on stuff but it was really close.
Something didnt add up though.
I take it that it has a caravelle interior in a converted panel van?

[..lee..]

Welcome to the fold. Buying a syncro blind is brave. Seriously think about what you want to end up with and work out you budget. There's plenty of talk on here about what a reliable fully functioning syncro costs. It doesn't seem to matter if you buy cheap and do up or buy a good one to start with they end up costing about he same.

Plenty of syncros running around rough and tough and the owners have just as much fun in them.

It may be worth getting a comprehensive appraisal of the van so a budget can be worked out.

HTH. Lee.

[syncropaddy]

I bought it blind on ebay as I couldn't get to see it (stupid I know).

Nothing stupid about buying a Syncro blind on e bay! I bought two that way

[Mudlark]

Love is blind

[hammerhead]

Thanks for all your input, looks like I have a big project on my hands.

I was under the impression that if the sills and jacking point needed doing that it was a massive job.

Simon Baxter, I think it is a caravelle as it has the air/heater vents in the back and also a pair of 12v sockets. How do I tell if it is original or not?

Also can anybody recommend someone good with bodywork in the Sussex area.

[syncropaddy]

How do I tell if it is original or not?

Start by posting a few pics of the whole van so we can have a look

[jed the spread]

I would hazard a guess at 4k+ to get the body work sorted out, then all the mechanical, bushes etc so it could be anything up to 4K on top of that (gearbox, VC etc...) Then if you want an engine that can do a sensible speed factor in £2000-£6000 depending if your going AAZ do it yourself or pay for a TDI conversion, then add your purchase price. If you have a specialized conversion like a Westfalia you will easily do another £1000+ on ripped roof canvas, fridge, Ebber, replacing damaged interior parts, vents etc... then there are any of the expensive toys you fancy, and you can go as far as you like with those I am by no means an expert but I always follow peoples builds as well as doing my own van and if you buy a Syncro van, if its a rusty heap for £100 or a top end van for realistic money you have to commit yourself to a £15000 outlay.


Good luck with it though and if you dont want to commit to the £15000 then I would have a think about getting rid.

Its been said loads before but there is no such thing as a cheap Syncro

jed

[armyphil]

Its been said loads before but there is no such thing as a cheap Syncro
jed

Amen to that

[jed the spread]

You have also got to think slightly like house prices before you start an project too, are you going to see a return for your investment when it comes time to sell?
If not then this example is a sensible buy, ready to roll as it were http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=105013" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I paid £1600 for my Westy and have not had to spend much money on bodywork and I am just over what its worth on total spend so far.

jed

[syncrowjoker]

Bodywork looks rough, are syncro specific bits missing? If so better broken, then depending on your "imvestment" turn a profit?

[lloydy]

I saw that listed a while ago, i thought it was missing some running gear. Looks like above the rear jacking point in your picture is filler. But hey! we've all got rusty vans to a certain extent

[jed the spread]

I saw that listed a while ago, i thought it was missing some running gear. Looks like above the rear jacking point in your picture is filler. But hey! we've all got rusty vans to a certain extent

There is rust and rot or even worse no metal at all

jed