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TriStar Syncro

Matt Ryan - July 10th, 2009 at 06:08 PM

Had a lovely conversation this 'arvo with a nice German man named Hartmut. He is the proud owner of the only Tristar syncro brought to Australia. He's had it since new and it's been his work vehicle ever since, it's been very well maintained and is all original.

Wow, I couldn't believe it, he was visiting some friends of his that live three doors down from me.

According to the Tristar registry and various English forums, (The Brickyard, Club 80-90) Out of all the DOKA's built, only 1500 were Tristars. Of all those Tristars, only 500 were Syncro's and of those Syncro's only 19 (nineteen) were RHD!

And only one came to Australia!!!!

It looks like this one, but I think the one in pic is missing a bullbar as they came as standard equipment.I also forgot to check if his had one grille or two, (air or water cooled) will look next time although, Phil might know?

Regards,

Matt.

matberry - July 10th, 2009 at 08:15 PM

Cool to see this kombi as there's so few on the planet.

But, didn't the Lees brothers from Sydney import one for racing in the Wynns Safari, late 80's or early 90's??

Bizarre - July 10th, 2009 at 08:18 PM

NICE!!

phaeton - July 10th, 2009 at 08:34 PM

These syncro's are the coolest most capable offroad VWs ever

I have some nice vids given to me from a syncro owner which I love to watch :dork:

Matt Ryan - July 10th, 2009 at 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by matberry
Cool to see this kombi as there's so few on the planet.

But, didn't the Lees brothers from Sydney import one for racing in the Wynns Safari, late 80's or early 90's??

According to Phil Matthews Australian Volkswagen History (corrections after checking)

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=70689&page=2

1990:
A luxury syncro 4WD version of the Double Cab is also announced - the Tristar - but only one of these ever arrives. Instead, Graham Lees uses a base twin-cab Syncro 16" to compete in the Australian Safari, winning his class.

Phil's original entry was:

http://www.clubvw.org.au/Australian%20VW%20history%207.htm

1990:
The T3 Transporter Pickup and Double Cab Pickups are released, with the 2.1-litre engine, with manual or auto trans. A luxury syncro version of the Caravelle is available, at $39,000. A luxury syncro 4WD version of the Double Cab is also announced – the Tristar – but only a handful of these arrive. Graham Lees uses one to compete in the Australian Safari, winning his class. The T3 Syncro is named Overlander Magazine’s 4WD of the Year.

Regards,

Matt.

DylanTheDubber - July 11th, 2009 at 10:44 AM

Matt,
Gee that was lucky of you for them to have it a few doors down from your place. Where was Hartmut from.

Phil74Camper - July 15th, 2009 at 09:46 AM

Yes Matt, I originally thought the Lees Wynns double-cab was a Tri-Star, but it wasn't. I got corrected (thanks Phill Lander.) Steve C hasn't updated the VW history on the Club VW website yet.

Watercooled only - hence two grilles at the front.

I do have an Australian Tristar brochure at home that TKM prodcued for the Australian release. Very collectable now...

1303Steve - July 15th, 2009 at 10:09 AM

Hi

This car was at the VW Nationals one year at Hawksberry and was used for demonstration runs around a dirt track, I think I have video footage somewhere, it was in 1989 I think.

Phil, when did you send the update, for the website? I haven't seen it.

Steve

Phil74Camper - July 15th, 2009 at 10:15 AM

Late last year Steve, but I need to do some more updates for 2008, and 2009, now. I will also split up the file into year blocks like you've done, so you don't have to do it!

Will send it to you when done.

Matt Ryan - July 16th, 2009 at 08:55 AM

Steve,

Would love to see that footage if you can find it

and

Phil,

a scan of that brochure would be good too.

I'd like to post them both on our local forum (which I'm trying to get Hartmut to join) link is below.

Mid North Coast VW:

http://portvwforum.freeforums.org

Regards,

Matt.

Phil74Camper - July 19th, 2009 at 01:20 PM

Inchcape TKM produced two different brochure/leaflets for the VW Tristar in 1989. As we know, the 2WD twin-cab Kombi, and the Syncro 4WD twin-cab Kombi, both went on sale here, but the Tristar didn't.

This is the brochure for the 2WD Twin-cab and Tristar.

Phil74Camper - July 19th, 2009 at 01:21 PM

This is the other brochure, for the 4WD Syncro twin cab and Tristar.

Phil74Camper - July 19th, 2009 at 01:23 PM

This is the reverse of the brochure, showing the stats of the twin-cab Kombi and the Tristar.