Club 80-90 Forums

Hi people,

After spending many years in the comp safari scene I've acquired a couple of rug rats which has forced me to hang up my helmet and sell my beloved racer. With a huge hole in the garage that is quickly being filled with toys and bikes I need a replacement and building a syncro camper seems the perfect compromise.
I've got a limited budget of about 6k so probably looking at a caravelle and over time changing it to a camper for the family (and green laner for me ). I dont mind body work issues as I can fix these relatively easily as long as the mechanics are sound. I've read the buying guide on wiki but I need some advice on checking the vc, diff locks and gearbox. Is there a practical way of checking these with out doing a burn out in somebody elses van and seeing what spins?
I'm looking at a blue caravelle on ebay at the moment, anybody know this vehicle or think its worth a look?

Hi, i like this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-TYPE-25-Tr ... 955wt_1125" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
He is a member on here too

I have noticed a few tip top all ready done up Syncros for around the 7k mark lately.

Jed

the one i linked too, needs to come to me, owners names would stay the same and everything

It looks sweet. Petrol as well Lloyd . You know it makes LEZ sense for you

Be sure to drive it from cold.

You can check the vc by jacking up one wheel, it should turn by hand with a steady and "gooey" resistance. If that makes sense... Or get it on grass and see if the fronts turn when the rears are spinning.

Then drive the car warm at highway speeds and do a tight turn on a paved surface. There should be some resistance in the driveline but not so much as to stall.
My doka has 91000 kms on it and the best driveline I've come across. It is very driveable in town and awesome offroad.

Check for old bushes. Fresh/good ones is crucial for a proper riding/handling syncro!

The syncro you sent me the link for looks great... And he has the same user name as you as well Mr lloydy, are you one and the same? oh and thanks for the advice tiagagreen!

That blue Caravelle looks reasonable but I'd be a little worried about whats behind the plastic side pieces. That said I think a good price would be about £4750. Its been said here before but a good Syncro will cost £15,000 no matter what you start with and here or the Brickyard is a good place to start looking for ones that are known

How are you going to give a proper check without road tax? Can a temporary tax/insurance be had?

B.J wrote:How are you going to give a proper check without road tax?

Easy. Sit in the drivers seat and start the vehicle. Engage gear and drive ......

Just because the tax is out doesnt mean the yoke wont go!

I guess it's different in the sticks

Well over here its simple. If you dont get caught breaking the law, who knows you did? Forest and tree thing really

Im the owner of this van and have been waiting for comments to be put on the forum.....the van has nothing to hide and i agree that it should be worth in the region of £15000 but at the end of the day im not greedy and have come to the conclusion that spending so much time and money on a piece of metal and nearly loosing my family over it, just isnt worth it!!!!
Sad as it may be, the new owner (as I have sold it today) has got a real bargain. Because this van unlike many I have seen for sale (real sheds) has had everything done!!! Yes, even behind those plastic arches!!!!
For those of you that looked at it and wondered....you have just missed it! I wish the new owner well!!

Hay Lloydie, as it gone locally sure you'll be missing it soon

Lee

I missed out on this van due to communication problems but not to worry I really want a rhd model so the kids aren't stepping out into the road when they get in and out of the back... The mrs thought is was the ugliest thing she'd seen and couldn't understand why I wasn't spending the 6k on our impending wedding, no accounting for taste!