While the original Bettle based VW bus spearheaded the van life movement, it’s the Volkswagen transporter type 2 van (T3) that kept van culture alive for a long time. The cab over, rear wheel drive design was carried forward from its predecessor. Was heavier, larger and more angular in design. It was produced in a rear wheel drive version as well as a 4WD version marketed as “Syncro.”
Volkswagen marketed the Westfalia camper variant throughout the T3 production, with features including a raised roof, refrigerator, sink, and stove.
Years in production – 1984 to 1992
Tech specs Syncro -1984
1. Engine Layout – Rear engine rear wheel drive
2. Cooling – water cooled
3. Displacement & Fuel type – 1.9 Litre Petrol 4 cylinder
4. Power – 76hp
5. Gearbox- 4 plus G gear ( Galande – Low gear)
6. Kerb weight – 1385 kg
Fun fact –
1. Porsche created a special edition of this van with 3.2 Litre Carrera engine producing 231ps! Only 10 of these were built.
2. South African version featured round lamps like that of the original. Many non African versions which had square lamps got retrofitted with the round ones for that African look.
3. Factory original wasserboxer engines were unreliable. Many of these vans have been retrofitted with engines from Subaru. VW Jetta diesel engines and Golf Petrol engines also popular retrofits.
4. Few models came fitted with front and rear vacuum operated locking differentials likeable proper 4×4.
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