The syncro was developed in conjunction with Steyr-Daimler-Puch an Austrian company that produced the Pinzgauer-6x6 truck and the Halflinger small light wieght 4x4 as well as mopeds and bicycles.
The transporter bodies were taken from Germany to Austria to be fitted with the syncro drive parts then taken back to Germany to be finished to what ever spec level.
They are all constant 4x4 manual 4 speed +G the G gear is a low ratio first reverse gear is also a low ratio (31:9x28:16=6.03 is what the manual says) with a final drive of (38:7=5.43). Some came with a rear diff lock some with front and rear diff locks. The center diff is a viscous coupling.
They are surprisingly capable off road!
Distinguishing features are, small syncro badge on the rear hatch,
syncro sticker on the l/h front under the w/screen,
petrol filler at the r/h rear not below the drivers door,
extra ground clearence,
According to production numbers there was 43,468 syncro's, only 2,108 RHD !! which makes them quite rare.
http://www.vanagon.com/
http://www.syncro.org/
check out the above links for more indepth info
at the D.O.VW there was a group of about 7 syncronaught's wanting to form a syncro group to share info offer support and have a bit of fun as well!
syncro steve
contact me via;
humanoid@bigpond.net.au