This 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon T3 Syncro shows 310k km (~192k miles) and is a custom overland camper originally commissioned by Volkswagen AG and built by German off-road conversion specialist Ulrich Phillips at Special-Mobils in Lauffen am Neckar, Germany. Volkswagen is registered as the first owner of the vehicle, and three subsequent owners are registered prior to the current owner’s purchase in 2014. Over $23k of repairs and updates were performed under the current owner and are documented on their blog. Refurbishment work included interior and electrical renovation, and the installation of a replacement 1.6L turbodiesel engine and rebuilt 4-speed manual transmission with low gear, among other improvements. The van was shipped to Uruguay in 2015 for a two-year tour of the Americas. The seller is the current owner’s cousin, and imported the vehicle into the United States at the end of the tour in November 2017. Upon import, the van received an oil service and new air filter, new mosquito netting and roof seals, and repairs were made to the suspension and CV joints. New BF Goodrich AT tires were also installed. This Syncro 16″ is sold with a full complement of camping equipment and tools, import documents, and a clean Florida title.

Four-wheel drive Syncro models were developed by Steyer-Puch in conjunction with Volkswagen, and 16″ variants improved on the Syncro model by offering thicker reinforcements to the monocoque, taller 16″ wheels, locking differentials, bigger brakes, and more. The 16″ Syncro was never exported to the US and nearly all examples can be distinguished by the black flare extensions.

The bodywork was modified by Special-Mobils and Projektzwo in Germany, and includes a full-roof pop-up tent, lightweight racks, and custom windows and side panels. Stock bumpers have been retained. The van shows many scrapes, a cracked headlight lens, and a few spots of surface rust around the window seals, drip rails, and panel edges. Detailed pictures of the body can be found in the gallery below and on the current owner’s Flickr gallery. A 110 kph decal can be seen on the rear window.

A full-roof cutout for the pop-up camper required reinforced B-pillars, and the top is currently in need of new support struts. Other exterior additions include a large retractable awning, modified Fiamma rear bicycle rack, fishing pole canister, and shower enclosure. The roof seal and mosquito netting were recently replaced. Pictures of the awning and shower enclosure extended can be found below. Refinished 16″ Mefro steel wheels wear new BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A tires.

The grey cloth upholstery shows staining and wear from hard use. A Projektzwo steering wheel is installed. Just under 310k km (~192k miles) are shown on the odometer. Additional pictures in the gallery show the illuminated triple-knob locking differential controls.

Lightweight paneling was used to form the interior furnishings and storage, and an array of modern electronics can be found mounted under the front seats and throughout the cabin. Wiring and plumbing schematics have been included in gallery photographs.

The refurbished interior was reupholstered with washable fabrics, wood paneling was refinished, and additional storage cabinets were added. A roof-mounted 130W solar array charges storage batteries. Fresh water is provided by a Katadyn Superdyn ceramic filter, and the 60-liter system pairs a flexible 50-liter tank with an insulated 10-liter hot water tank that utilizing the engine’s cooling system and retains 90ºC temperatures for extended periods. The Eberspacher diesel heater was rebuilt prior to the tour, and a Trigas propane and carbon monoxide detector was added. The refrigerator compressor is currently non-functioning. The camper configuration is similar to the Westfalia full camper interior, with a two burner stove, sink, and side closet as basic features.

The rear seat folds to form a mattress, and another sleeping platform can be found under the pop-up roof panel. Additional storage can be found below the mattress platform, and a water tank and extendable shower nozzle are mounted in the left compartment. The full shower enclosure and a custom mosquito net can be seen in gallery photographs below.

The 1.6L four-cylinder turbo-diesel motor is a rebuilt replacement unit installed in 2015, and is mated to a rebuilt 4-speed manual transmission with a low Gelande gear. Prior to the tour, the motor and intercooler were inspected at Schick Turbo Tuning, and new stainless intercooler pipes were installed. Engine cooling was upgraded with an additional oil cooler circuit and new South Africa-spec radiators. A new turbocharger, alternator, and power steering pump were installed with the new motor, and additional shielding was added around the underside.

Additional pictures of the underbody and suspension can be found here and in the gallery. The current owners refreshed the suspension with new bushings, wheel bearings, CV joints, and 14″ rear trailing arms. GMB progressive-rate springs and adjustable-height shocks were also installed. Braking was upgraded with new lines and vented front rotors sourced from an Audi A8, while the rear drum brakes remain stock 16″ Synchro components. The fuel tanks and lines were replaced, and a new exhaust system was fitted.

A full complement of tools, accessories, spare parts, and camping equipment are included and can be stored in the aluminum roof boxes and throughout the vehicle.

The vehicle was the subject of a German Off-Road magazine profile in February 1991, a copy of which is included with the sale. An English translation of the article can be found here. Videos showing a cold start, walk-around, and travel footage can be seen below.