Does anybody have any idea of value of a 1989 Caravelle Syncro with aircooled motor (last of the aircooleds I'm told). I'm very interested in buying it from the deceased estate of a good mate but don't really know what a fair price would be (nor does his family). It's registered as a 7 seater but the seats aren't fitted (they are available) because my mate took them out to gain space. It's got 285K on the clock but is in reasonable condition overall. It has a few bad stone chips (down to metal) but no rust at all as it has lived most of its life in desert country. Don't know if it has a locking diff or not. Needs a new battery so I haven't started it but I have no doubt the engine will be fine with a clean up and service. I've had bugs and kombis but know very little about these vehicles. Any comments really appreciated.
cheers

Mate,

Cant really help you on the price, but...... if its aircooled it aint an '89 model. Aircooled I believe finished up in 1984. From there until the end of T3 production they were watercooled.

Cheers
Brendan

dont believe there were air cooled syncro's either

Pretty sure they are water cooled only

Thanks guys. That sounds right judging by the web searches I've done since I posted. I haven't had a chance to take a close look because the car is in a yard and is locked. Haven't been able to get into it - just walk around and look from the outside. The guy looking after it admits he knows nothing about them either. So, your comments do help me to get things sorted. It is an 89 model and I'm now pretty sure it is the 2.1 water cooled. Hey its still VW right? And my mate was a VW nut so I can only assume that basically, this is a good thing. Thanks for responding, I'll let you know how I go. From all accounts they are capable 4WDs, which is good because I will need to sell a pretty good Frontera to get this one. Peace all.

Have a dig round this forum

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/ 

It should have dual square headlights
Not single round head lights

Becareful of the gear box and drive
Have heard they are posion to repair "if" you can reapair them

Thanks bizarre, it has the dual square headlights etc. I will definitely check gearbox and drive if I get further into it (which I will of course - sort of compulsory isn't it despite the wife insisting I don't need it ... blah blah blah). Cheers all, I am sentimentally biased but will proceed with due consideration.

Yes the answers are right, the air-cooled engine ended in 1984 and was replaced by the watercooled 'wasserboxer' engine. Any T3 Kombi with two black front grilles - one between the headlights, and another between the blinkers - is water-cooled.

The syncro first appeared in Europe in 1985 (so yes, no air-cooled ones), but didn't come to Australia until 1989. All of ours had 2.1-litre engines. They are terrific vehicles, but are starting to get very old now.

Phill Lander has put together an excellent Australian syncro web page, with info and links, at

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~pjlander/volkswagen_syncro.htm 

Thanks all, jeez don't you love it the way that bits of information start to come in and you can just start to build up a picture of what direction to take... Much appreciated guys!