This Volkswagen Vanagon got away, but there are more like it here.

1.9L TDI-Powered 1989 Volkswagen T3 Caravelle C Syncro Camper

Sold for $28,000 on 11/30/20

1.9L TDI-Powered 1989 Volkswagen T3 Caravelle C Syncro Camper

This 1989 Volkswagen T3 Caravelle C Syncro is a Spanish-market van that was acquired by the seller and imported to the US in 2017. Power is from a replacement 1.9-liter TDI inline-four paired with a five-speed manual transaxle with a crawler gear. The van features a Syncro four-wheel-drive system with a center differential decoupler and a locking rear differential. It was repainted gray during previous ownership and is equipped with a white pop-top camper, Fiamma awning, Webasto heater, kitchenette, suspension lift, 16″ wheels, and more. Maintenance by the seller is said to include mounting replacement tires and the installation of a replacement oil pan, braking components, wheel bearings, and Iveco injectors. This Caravelle shows just under 250k kilometers (~155k miles) and is now offered with Spanish factory literature, a service manual, spare parts, importation documents, and Connecticut registration in the name of the seller’s business.

The body was repainted in its current shade of gray in 2016 during prior ownership. Additional exterior features include a black metal rear bumper with a ball hitch, black 4WD and Syncro decals, and driver- and passenger-side sliding glass middle windows. The seller notes that the rear bumper ends are missing.

Black-painted 16″ wheels were reportedly fitted with 215/70 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires in 2020. A suspension lift was fitted by a previous owner, and the CV joints, A-arms, wheel bearings, and brakes are said to be replacements. A vinyl 4×4-logo cover protects the full-size spare tire mounted on a swing-out carrier at the rear.

The interior is trimmed in gray cloth and vinyl with matching door panels and black rubberized floor coverings. Aftermarket Pioneer speakers are installed in the doors, but the stereo head unit is missing. Twin driver-activated differential lock controls are present on the dashboard, and the seller notes that the tachometer is not calibrated for use with the replacement engine, along with missing switches, knobs, and interior trim panels. The six-digit odometer shows just under 250k kilometers (~155k miles), approximately 300 of which were added by the seller.

The rear compartment features white storage cabinets, a bench seat, and camping equipment including a kitchenette with a two-burner stove, a sink, a refrigerator, and a swing-out table. The rear interior storage compartment was removed to fit a larger bed that can be viewed in the gallery below.

The rear-hinged white pop-top was reportedly refinished in 2019, and a Fiamma F45 awning is installed. Additional camping equipment includes a Webasto Air Top heater, a water holding tank with an electric pump, and an auxiliary battery with a voltage regulator. The seller recommends installing stronger support struts for the pop-top, which are included in the sale, and reports that the water holding tank is cracked.

The turbocharged 1.9-liter AHU diesel inline-four was installed during prior ownership and was reportedly sourced from a European-market Volkswagen Passat TDI. A replacement oil pan, head gaskets, muffler mounts, and Iveco injectors with replacement injector seats were reportedly installed along with a replacement alternator and batteries. The seller recommends replacing the dual-battery voltage regulator.

The five-speed manual gearbox features a low-ratio first gear and sends power to the rear or all four wheels through a center viscous coupling equipped with a driveshaft decoupler and a locking rear differential. A replacement VR6-spec clutch was reportedly installed in 2016, and the seller notes that the transmission was also modified with a taller fourth gear.

The sale includes an owner’s manual, a service manual, manuals for the awning and heater, import documentation, and travel documents. A collection of spare parts including a replacement grille, dash storage units, bumper ends, and decals are also included in the sale along with a swing-away fuel can carrier, a 220-to-110-volt converter, traction mats, and GoWesty hot-dipped galvanized rock sliders.

A driving video can be viewed above, and a second driving video and highway driving video can be viewed below. Additional videos are available on this YouTube playlist.

Photo Gallery

Auction Result

Winning Bid	USD $28,000 by TheQuiggs
Auction Ended	November 30, 2020 at 3:00PM PT
Bids	26

17,680 views

772 watchers

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