Anyone recognise this van?

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ajsimmo
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Anyone recognise this van?

Post by ajsimmo »

Hi all,

been on 80-90 for a while with 3 previous t25s, but just climbed the social ladder to my first Syncro. :ok

Here she is....
Syncro fanny.JPG

Question is - anybody know anything about her?

What I know so far is that a previous owner spent an absolute fortune (about 10 years ago) converting it for longe range expedition use, with water/gas/fuel tanks and heating system fitted at Torksey Caravans, then it went to M G Raw's garage in Lincoln, basically replacing everything that was slightly worn, ready for a two year round the world trip.
During the trip Raw's continued to send any parts needed out to them (like hoses etc to America). I know it was a 1.6TD when it left England, and it was a 1.9TD when it came back! I'm told engine was fitted in USA, and it looks to be a decent job. Certainly pulls and goes well.
The very sad end to the story is that the owners were on the last leg down through Africa, ending up in Namibia waiting for the boat home, when the guy crossed the road to get a newspaper and was tragically knocked down and killed. The van was shipped back home to UK, and that's as much as I know.

I bought it late last year with no MOT, having been resprayed but still in bits, from a guy in Gloucestershire who said he had a thick file of history for it, and a massive box of spares to go with it. Unfortunately as soon as he took the money out of my hand, he turned into a complete A-hole and didn't want to know. He refused to supply the parts or the history, and nigh on did a runner! Never will know why he behaved like that, because if he thought he should scarper because he'd ripped me off with a dodgy van he was wrong - she's a bute! I put her back together and drove her home to Grantham with no problems at all. Stuck her in for test to see what's up....just a front coil spring. That's it, not even any advisories. Wow!

Jobs left to do: Propshaft is missing, and was never supplied so I'm after one of them. Anyone got a spare?
Diff locks aren't working but I'm on the case with vac pipes et al.
Interior needs finishing - after a newer fridge coz the one in there is working but a bit rank. Seats and hitop all need retrimming.
So there we are, that's all I know so far, but if anybody has come across this motor before, you're probably on this forum, and I'd love to get a complete history together for such a unique and awesome vehicle.

Looking forward to seeing some of you at various syncro do's (when I get me prop on) :wink:

Update: Plan is to get it all done ready for Germany in April!
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syncrodoug
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by syncrodoug »

I don't know the van but was the 'A-hole's name Paul?
Doug
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ajsimmo
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by ajsimmo »

:rofl

yep.
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jed the spread
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by jed the spread »

ajsimmo wrote:t just climbed the social ladder to my first Syncro. :ok


Welcome to the smug club...

jed
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v-lux
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by v-lux »

The first rule of smug club is...

syncroand101
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by syncroand101 »

...avoid Jed.

jed the spread
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by jed the spread »

syncroand101 wrote:...avoid Jed.

Thats the second rule :lol: .

jed
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KarlT
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by KarlT »

Come on you all know we're not allowed to talk about rule number one!

More pics chap. 8)

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syncropaddy
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by syncropaddy »

C'mon Doug, spill the beans on this guy called Paul
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syncrodoug
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by syncrodoug »

When I read the post describing the van, its travels and the amount of spares the globe trotting owner had gathered the little grey cells became agitated.
Not long ago I sold my T4 syncro to a bloke called Paul who lives on the banks of the River Severn, the deal we struck was for a T-max winch, cash and assorted spares he still had after selling a T25 Syncro camper.
He also showed me a wooden box which he hadn't opened and that he thought was full of useful 'mechanical' spares but turned out to be a collection of camping paraphernalia including a water purification kit!
I just put two and two together..........
AJ - I probably have the prop that came off the van which you're welcome to have but one of the UJ is knackered. I may may passing through the flat country in a couple of weeks see ......https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=65042" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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PC52
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by PC52 »

ajsimmo wrote: Jobs left to do: Propshaft is missing, and was never supplied so I'm after one of them. Anyone got a spare?

Looking forward to seeing some of you at various syncro do's (when I get me prop on) :wink:

Update: Plan is to get it all done ready for Germany in April!

Germany would be good.

Propshaft - got one here if your interested
1.9 TDI Syncro Multivan
1.9 TDI Doka project in progress

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toomanytoys
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by toomanytoys »

syncrodoug wrote: AJ - I probably have the prop that came off the van which you're welcome to have but one of the UJ is knackered. I may may passing through the flat country in a couple of weeks see ......https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=65042" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:ok :ok :ok thats the spirit Doug...

AJ is coming too.. arent you Andrew... :ok :ok :ok

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ajsimmo
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by ajsimmo »

Well, well - the plot thins :)

Finally I have the answer to what Paul did with all my spares and the promised box that fits the hooks on the back of my camper! See pic and scroll down...
fanny boot.JPG

The box full of spares and the swivel base (that I saw him sell on ebay) and some seats were all supposed to be sent to me on a pallet. Yeah,right...

Anyway, I'm so pleased I've found so much help and camaraderie, it is much appreciated.

Doug - take it you're coming over for Si's meet at Digby, we'll be there (Anna and me, obviously in our 2x2). Would love the prop if poss, and I can do the UJs no probs.

PC52, many thanks for the offer. Hopefully I'm sorted, but if there's any probs I'll be back here begging. LOL

By the way, will there be a special show category at the Germany bash for syncro 2x2s? :wink:
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toomanytoys
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by toomanytoys »

4x2 surely... :wink:

09:30 Sat morn ok Andrew?

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ajsimmo
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Re: Anyone recognise this van?

Post by ajsimmo »

:ok
Tea or coffee ? Bread n butter or toast ? Beans or tomatoes ? Fried or scrambled ?
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