1987 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia Syncro

I recently posted a '91 Type 2 Syncro that was a decent late mode example. This is an even better bargain. The most desirable of all the Type 2 are the Westfalia campers, that basically take the versatility of a regular Type 2 to an extreme, with two rows of seating that fold down completely for sleeping bags or even a mattress and a roof that pops up so that a 6-foot tall adult can fully stand inside the vehicle.

Westfalia-Werke was the coach builder in Germany who added the camper modifications onto the vans after they left the factory. They had been doing this since the 50s.

By the time this was converted in the late 80s the Westfalia name was legendary. Not all VW campers are Westfalia and not all Westfalia VW are even the same. This one has a pop up and awning but does not seem to have much else, like a cooking facility and voltage outlets, however, I'm sure those things are possible to add now.

What is an amazing extra is the coveted 4wd Syncro. I'm not sure how many vans were made with both Westfalia and Syncro, but it wasn't many, and much less have survived today in one piece.

This one has 195k on the clock but looks clean. The owner says it's rust free and has good paint. The anthracite color is hard to wrong with and the interior looks pretty clean and tidy. I dig the exterior "Syncro" decals and what appear to be original plastic VW hubcaps.

Mechanically, the seller says it needs a locking leg for the pop up top and an a/c recharge.

I'd get some ownership history, maintenance records and check the underbody yourself for rust. If it checks out, this is a sweet vehicle. The mileage is high but with proper upkeep it could be good for another 190k. The rear engine four bangers are reliable and designed to go for half a million miles or more before a rebuild. It's also mated to a stick shift, so no worries about Volkswagen's troublesome automatics.

Westfalia Syncro prices are high. Sellers know what they have and want top dollar, not just because of the rarity but the desirability in usefulness. You can literally go almost anywhere on land, and stay the night, too. This one is reasonably asking $13,000.

Available here on craigslist.

1991 Volkswagen Type 2 Syncro

Ah, the third generation Type 2. The last of the rear-engine Volkswagens, before they Toyota-ized themselves into front-engine front-wheel drive oblivion.

But while they were still in production, these things were pretty unique. Long after Detroit had given up on the Corvair, the Type 2 "Vanagon" kept rolling on as the only rear engine van in production. The third generation lasted from 1979-1992, before they switched over to the front-engine "Eurovan".

The third generation featured more modern styling, but it was also larger and heavier. This example wears a nice shade of burgundy paint that contrasts well with the grey lower body cladding. The alloys are cool, and the square headlights are preferable over the poorly functioning round pre-'85 sealed beam units. These are cult classics now, just like almost all Volkswagen products from the late 20th century. Part of the reason is not just the unique layout, but the durability and ruggedness of the construction.

Adding to the appeal of this example is Volkswagen's patented system of four-wheel drive called Syncro. It was only offered on the Vanagaon from 1985-1992, making this one of the last. If these were go-anywhere vehicles before, the 4wd adds even more versatility.

They were available with either 4 or 5 cylinder and either gas or diesel engines. In 1984, Volkswagen switched the engines from air-cooled to water-cooled. This is an air-cooled 4-cylinder gas engine. It won't win any drag races, but it will be reliable if kept up. Earlier U.S. 1.9-liter engines were prone to head gasket failure, but the post-'85 2.1-liter were usually made to remedy that issue. This being a '91, you get all the benefits of years of improvements and upgrades.

The three-speed automatic is a downside for sporting purists, but might be easier on the hand and feet for long journeys. Volkswagen automatic transmissions have spotty reliability though, so that's one thing to watch out for.

The interior looks pretty clean and sorted, and the second row neatly folds up for extra space.

This is being offered by what appears to be a Ford dealer who provide no details on history, maintenance or even current condition. You'll definitely want the scoop on where this has been and how many owners. Vanagons are often kept for long periods by owners and then handed over to another family member or sold locally to a friend, so it's unusual for one to fall into dealer hands, unless it was just an ignorant trade-in. Check for accidents and rust, then on engine upkeep. I believe one of the photos does show rust beneath the rear window. If it all checks out though, this is a rare vehicle in decent shape and a nice color combo. The dealer doesn't list a price, but with the mileage at 150,215 you want to snag it for less than your average new 4wd SUV. Then, pack your bags, bring your family and go on a adventure and blast Steve Moore or Music For Airports-era Brian Eno on the speakers.

The craigslist ad is here and the dealer ad is here.

1999 Isuzu Vehicross

I looooove these things! They're on my list to own someday. I'm one of the people that cringes at most sport utility vehicles. Let's face it: despite their girth, most are pretty un-manly and get used to haul groceries and soccer equipment. On top of that, they consume heinous amounts of fuel per gallon. And they look ugly.

The Vehicross gets my vote for Coolest SUV however. In fact, it's probably the only cool SUV, except perhaps for stuff like the Mercedes Galendenwagen or Land Rover Defender 90, but those are ridiculously expensive to acquire and maintain.

I'll be the first to admit part of the charm is the otherworldly styling, looking like it was something designed for a cross between Blade Runner and Baywatch. But I like Blade Runner and I like some of Baywatch. I mean, the year was 1997, if you're gonna make a two-door SUV, it's got to stand out and Isuzu did an excellent job because not only did it stand out, it remarkably still looks good today.

Underneath the spacey metal is equally impressive technology. While Japan was privy to either a 2WD or 4WD version, Americans were thankfully just given the amazing 4WD version. The unique Torque-On-Demand (TOD) system had 12 different sensors detecting which wheel was experiencing the most amount of spin and redirected power to the wheel with the least. This made handling and control over even the most wet and icy of roads manageable.

The engine was a 3.5-liter V6 good for about 215 horsepower. It got the job done. I've heard people say it's even sporty feeling.

Inside, the interior was the only week spot, with a dashboard recycled from the Isuzu Trooper or something. But they spiced it up with cool two-town seating and doors, this one in red.

Sadly, only around 5,000 were produced between 1997 and 2001. These are hard to find now and command a premium when they do hit the market because the loving owners almost always know how rare they are. Fortunately, the price is usually worth it. These were solid, reliable cars with no glaring issues over time. They can go for 100k-200k+ miles before major repairs. Isuzu was a good brand. There is nothing quite like the Vehicross anymore.

Available here on ebay with bidding starting at $10k.

JDM Snow Days: 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser LX

Although my E46 325xi is performing sufficiently in inclement weather (as it did this fine slushy winter morning), there are occasional moments when I wish I had something with even more traction like this Land Cruiser that was never officially offered in North America, but is here now.

The Land Cruiser is up there with the Land Rover Defender 90 and Mercedes-Benz Galendenwagen as classic off-road vehicles of the 20th century. They are not only extremely capable, but as aesthetic masterpieces of form over function, they are stylish, too. I have no doubt the Land Cruiser is considered by some to be the best.

The J70 Land Cruiser replaced the legendary J40 series in 1984 and is still in production to this day. This is the short wheelbase model with a removable fiberglass top. These are extremely rugged and heavy cars, weighing about 2 tons to keep them planted to the ground. Body plates were made 1mm thicker than the J40 for extra strength.

Underneath the hood is a 4-cylinder diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The seller says the engine should be good for 500k miles before a rebuild, which could very well be true given Toyota's build quality from this era. They also say it gets about 21-25 miles per gallon and is fun to drive even at high speeds.

 

Cosmetically, the seller says the underside of the vehicle was rust-proofed. They say the rocker panels were also replaced. There are some lingering spots of surface rust around the doors and windshield, however. They also say a carfax report regarding rear accident damage may be from having the rockers replaced and rear bumper being powder coated, and they have checked for dents and bondo and found none. Inside, occupants meet a no-nonsense, hyper-utilitarian interior of square angles and hard grey plastics. The seller says it has been treated with a wax/clay bar, and the carpets and seats have been shampooed and cleaned.

This is an extremely rare vehicle that seems to have had attentive ownership to date. The seller says it was brought here from Japan 100% legally by Outback Imports and they have a title and registration in hand. They say it now has about 86k miles, and could be ready for many more, despite the minor cosmetic flaws.

Available here on ebay in Kent, Washington with bidding starting at $14,600 but no takers so far and a Buy-It-Now of $15,950.

One Year Only: 71k-Mile 1986 Isuzu Trooper C223T

Isuzu's original Trooper remains a favorite of COTC for wearing a remarkably fresh and clean design while still being capable on and off-road. It's also worlds away from the later second generation that was ubiquitous in suburbs of the '90s and later caused hysteria about the high center of gravity in SUVs when Consumer Reports managed to roll one over during a test and subsequently gave it a "Not Acceptable" grade.

Before all that ridiculousness, there was the pure, simple, undiluted 1981-1991 Trooper, when people still bought them for going off-roading, camp sites, heavy hauling, and driving in poor weather. Isuzu debuted the vehicle with a solid rear axle and independent front suspension.

The styling is really great. In the 80s, the Japanese were starting to topple Mercedes-Benz as the jack-of-all-trades automaker by demonstrating mastery of almost every type of vehicle. The Trooper is brilliant in that it emulates the stark, hard angles of the Galendenwagen and provides some of the capability but at a miniscule fraction of the price. Essentially, they beat the Germans in the race to an affordable but reliable SUV, something the Germans still haven't been able to offer today.

The no-nonsense interior is an exercise in artful and aesthetically pleasing utilitarian design. Note the minimal use of plastic around the instrument cluster and pre-airbag steering wheel that give it a airy look.

Early Troopers were known to be relatively underpowered, but this rare example features the one-year-only (in the U.S. at least) 2.2-liter inline 4-cylinder C223 turbocharged diesel engine. Though still small, the Garrett turbocharger and low-end torque combined with the manual transmission and four-wheel drive make this a really nifty package. It doesn't get much more capable, sporty, and reliable than that.

The seller says this is a 2-owner vehicle with only 71,635 miles that has been in the San Antonio, Texas are all it's life. Cosmetically, they say its all-original inside and out and has no rust. Mechanically, they say it runs and drives great and everything works, including the a/c.

The rear seats fold down to make generous cargo space.

This is a really rare and under-appreciated vehicle in even unusually good shape with low miles and a great color combo. If there is such a thing as a collector Isuzu Trooper, this is it, hands down. Snap it up, pamper it and document your ownership. It's time this sees as much respect as a FJ Cruiser or Defender 90. And it does it all on a penny budget, too. Nice.

Available here on ebay in Navasota, Texas with extremely vigorous bidding already at $5,988 but reserve not met.

Somebody Buy Me: 1986 Subaru XT Turbo 4WD

The XT is hurdling towards new classic status, so now is the time to grab these while there are still good cheap ones left.

These were only sold from 1985-1991. The styling is befitting of the set of Blade Runner or Total Recall. Subaru designed the greenhouse inside and out to resemble the cockpit of a fighter jet. The XT has as much glass as possible supported by blacked out pillars. The front has hidden headlights. Grooves run along the side of the car that form the taillight taillight strip. The whole thing is sleek and stealthy, especially when painted black like this example.

Of all the XT trim to appreciate in value, the 85-87 Turbo 4WD models like this one stand the best chance. These were produced very briefly and feature a 1781cc turbocharged H4 engine producing 112 horsepower with multi-port fuel injection and two single overhead camshafts. The four-wheel drive system was part-time and activated with a push of a button on the dashboard. When coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission, these were fun and grippy cars.

The seller is a dealer and has only provided two photos and no details, so I can't give you much more. But the car looks clean and and the tires slick with Armor-All. They do list the mileage as just 110,343, so this puppy seems to have been modestly driven over the years, which is more good than bad. Find out if any maintenance records are available, and check for rust. Other than that, it deserves a caring owner who knows what they have and can maintain and preserve it further.

Available here on carsforsale for just $3,999. Me want!

JDM Project: 1993 Honda Acty Pickup 4WD

I love Japanese domestic market vehicles. They offer all sorts of practicalities American and European manufacturers just won't touch. This is a miniature pickup truck. How many times has that enormous Ford F-150 blocked your view of traffic before it rudely cut you off? It makes you wonder if they are really necessary. And I'm sure they are, but I can't help but wonder if American pickup buyers wouldn't mind trying out something as compact as this Honda Acty. They like thrift just as much as the next guy.

Honda has been making variations of the Acty non-stop since 1977. This is a later and more modernized 2nd generation version from 1993.

The engine, rather amazingly, is a tiny 660cc straight 3-cylinder SOHC unit positioned in the rear and can be accessed via a removable porthole on the floor of the bed. This enabled the cabin to the spacious and the front to be short and gives the Acty its ultra-compact dimensions and quirky look.

This example features four-wheel drive for extra traction, and a 5-speed manual transmission.

Unfortunately this example has seen better days. It has visible wear, tear and scuffs. Mechanically, the seller states the timing belt broke, some valves are bent and the head gasket is off. This will need a lot of work to get running again, but it's definitely worth it. Not many are here, and this is otherwise a solid and reliable little cargo hauler that could be good for many more miles. I'd haggle the price way down, fix the engine, then give her a fresh repaint in appliance white.

Available here on craigslist in Tampa Bay, Florida for $1,450.

Clean 1986 Honda Civic Wagon AWD 5-Speed

There was once a time when automakers thought nothing of offering all-wheel drive on even their compact vehicles. Today, if you want AWD they make it a big costly deal. It's only available on heavy mid-size and up cars, loaded with options. These cars are expensive, complicated, and gas guzzling. After all, someone that wants something as simple and safe as extra traction in inclement weather must also have a bunch of extra cash for all the bells and whistles, right? I'm being sarcastic of course. One of the few automakers that still "gets" this is Subaru, whose Impreza is still a relatively small and affordable entry-level car with AWD. But in the late 80s and early 90s, other automakers like Toyota and Honda were doing this too.

Honda decided to offer AWD on their compact third generation 1984-1987 Civic Wagon. These puppies are just too good to be true. Notice how Honda - or any other automaker for that matter - no longer offers this versatile body, with minimal sheet metal to keep costs down for the manufacturer and consumer, large and high greenhouse region for maximum interior comfort and visibility in and out.

The AWD system was introduced on the Civic in 1985 and was part-time, any-speed and activated by pushing a button on the dashboard. Giving the driver discretion was extremely practical, as bad weather is not a constant variable. It also allowed for better fuel economy because when the system was off the engine only had to work the front wheels.

Japanese designers are used to crafting cars for small spaces in Tokyo, and their gift for compact dimensions glows in this Civic. Every angle is hard, with no organic shapes. It's the textbook definition of form over function. Note the unpainted plastic bumpers that give it an ultra-utilitarian look that is also quite practical as it deflects chips, dirt, scrapes and grime in spots that encounter it most. This one looks especially crisp and attractive in light blue. I also love the mudflaps.

Under the hood is a four cylinder engine. This one is mated to a rare 5-speed manual transmission for a more involved driving experience.

Inside the skeletel interior is even more functional.

This example is claimed as being in California since new, proudly wearing its blue plates. The seller says it has been well maintained and mostly garaged, with original paint, no accidents, no major dings and a clear title. They do say it has some small surface rust spots however.

Mechanically, it has a new clutch, tires, brakes, belt and water pump. The seller says it's running well, although there is some axle noise.

These were often bought in regions with bad climates so most have all bust rusted into the ground. It's refreshing to find a clean and mostly spotless survivor of this great little vehicle. There really isn't anything like it being offered today.

Available here on ebay in Fremont, California with 14 bids at $1,225.

Pleasant Pleiades: 83k-mile 1985 Subaru GL 4WD Turbo

It's just not everyday you come across a 27-year old Subaru GL in this kind of condition.

Subaru in the 1980s were a really cool car company. This was before they became the dull L.L. Bean-mobiles of today. It was when they still placed an emphasis on all-wheel drive, but their cars were economical, compact, and relatively lightweight.

They were also styled somewhat provocatively with hard, crisp angles and edges. Their XT coupe is a new classic of modern auto design, and it featured a lot of technology that was ahead of its time.

The GL was close behind.

Japanese manufacturers had finally emerged from the shadow of European design and came into their own. The fuel crises of the 1970s combined with form over function design principles forced the Japanese to create highly utilitarian products intended for maximum usage while also being aesthetically pleasing. Although even the best Japanese designs were usually inspired by something from Germany or Italy, it was their entry-level economy cars of the 80s (something that the Germans and Italians hadn't quite mastered, at least for the U.S. market) that defined Japanese design as clean, simple, and uplifting. They were family-friendly but still sporty looking. They were distinctive without being decorative. They just fit on modern American roads.

Subaru used the GL nameplate for several generations of vehicles. This is the first year of an all-new body that lasted until 1994.

The seller is a dealer who have done a phenomenal job photographing the car with a ton of high-res photos and offering documentation and proof of the low mileage and careful ownership that car has. They state the odometer reads only an utterly remarkable 83,520 original miles, and the car has spent its whole life in California, before coming to Nevada where it is now.

Perhaps even more impressive is the condition. The deep "Crest Brown" metallic paint looks new. The vehicle has no rust. The interior is nothing less than immaculate. The owner wisely realized the dry and sunny west coast climate usually cracks plastic dashboards so they placed a nicely fitting mat over it. Note the digital speedometer, a visual treat for fans of vintage electronics.

What makes this GL an extra special treat is the equipment level. This example has a 1.8-litre SOHC 4-cylinder engine that is turbocharged, on-demand 4-wheel drive, and on-demand pneumatic air suspension with height control. Awesome. Cruising down the highway at 80mph? Lower the suspension. Need to maneuver through water, mud or snow? Heighten the suspension, switch on the 4WD. Nowadays, most Subaru owners don't have these choices, let alone almost all vehicle owners. When the consumer loses choices, we all lose.

The seller states the vehicle has recently been given new axles, distributor cap, plug wires, battery and an a/c charge.

This car is not only a low-mileage survivor, but it's in unusually good shape and has some really cool optional equipment. It definitely deserves a new owner as loving as the previous was apparently.

If you are a Subaru fanatic or just have an itch for this, grab it. There probably isn't another one like it.

Find it here on ebay.