1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Synchro
For consignment, a 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Synchro owned by our consignor since 1997 and will come with service records dating back that far. He's only driven it 10,000 miles during that time and had it repainted in 2008.
Exterior
Two stage Marine Blue covers this Vanagon in fine fashion and this boxy unit approaches with a vertical nose adorned with new for 1986 rectangular headlights with extra square high beams, and two grilles, one for van ventilation and the other for the front mounted radiator. A straight chrome bumper frames the lower portion of the fascia and a tall windshield showcases a short dash pad and steering wheel that is cab forward. The sharply angled front door can be described as flag shaped with long panel sides and a narrow foot entry point, all making room for the wheel openings and axle. A track is cut into the passenger side for the sliding side door which provides ample access to the rear seats and rear vents bring air into the rear mounted engine. The pure box continues on the back where low tail lights allow for a large liftgate and a low lift over for cargo. 14-inch wheels carry 185R14 tires with a late 2020 manufacturing date. Imperfections include bubbling in the paint, some uneven gap filler, and a crack in the paint.
Interior
Gray cloth inserts fit into the blue vinyl door panels and characteristic black Volkswagen hardware adorn the panels and includes a speaker and vent. Gray cloth bucket seats with pivoting armrests on both sides present nicely with wear apparent on the driver's side. The piping around the seats is wavy but this condition does not continue on the back seats which are attached twins in the middle and a bench of three in the rear where plenty of headroom and legroom prevails and everyone gets a pull down armrest. Some of the vinyl sidewall shows some looseness but is fully intact while some vinyl corner guards on the floor show some wear. The textured steering wheel and dash pod is clean and a now vintage 1986 digital clock is part of the cluster. A Blaupunkt AM/FM/Cassette radio is in the center just behind the floor mounted shifter with rubber boot and surrounded by low pile blue carpet in good shape but showing some spots and tears from usage. The headliner is in good shape and the overhead console starts the vent system which travels through the middle of the ceiling to distribute air. Overall, the interior is an airy environment with lots of space to move around and lots of windows to enjoy the sights.
Drivetrain
Under a panel in the back is the 2.1 liter Boxer 4 cylinder engine with Digifant electronic fuel injection and rated at 95 horsepower. The 5-speed manual transmission has four speeds plus low range and power is sent to both axles where 4.86 gears ratio the all wheel drive system. The van received a new clutch at 114,475 miles and one cylinder head at about 117k. The alternator and battery are also newer. Power brakes are supplied with discs in front and drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
Generally clean underneath with some residual oil on the front diff and some flaking invasive rust on the right trailing arm rail. The exhaust system was replaced at 117k and other than surface rust, looks fine as it enters a single, stock style muffler before exiting out back. Suspension consists of coil springs up front and independent semi trailing arm and coil springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
We love the forward position and grand visibility from the large windshield and it's rare to exit the garage before the engine does, but off we go onto the test track and it takes a few minutes for the engine to smooth out but eventually the brick shaped van finds its way and provides a comfortable, upright ride where tracking and braking perform well. The A/C is not working and our consignor reports it is not holding a charge. The fuel gauge only reads half a tank regardless of what's in there. Everything else including lights, signals, wipers and more all work as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
We were carpooled in station wagons as kids and while cool enough, riding in a Vanagon would have been so much cooler! This seven passenger van would not only make a nice retro showpiece, but also a fun family van for ice cream runs or trips to the local park. The flat floor and practical use of space along with the AWD could also serve as the basis for an overland conversion as Synchros are not very common. Any way you look at it, the unique styling of the VW Vanagon assures its standing as a classic recreational vehicle.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit or call us at 855-201-7026. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
For consignment, a 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Synchro owned by our consignor since 1997 and will come with service records dating back that far. He's only driven it 10,000 miles during that time and had it repainted in 2008.
Exterior
Two stage Marine Blue covers this Vanagon in fine fashion and this boxy unit approaches with a vertical nose adorned with new for 1986 rectangular headlights with extra square high beams, and two grilles, one for van ventilation and the other for the front mounted radiator. A straight chrome bumper frames the lower portion of the fascia and a tall windshield showcases a short dash pad and steering wheel that is cab forward. The sharply angled front door can be described as flag shaped with long panel sides and a narrow foot entry point, all making room for the wheel openings and axle. A track is cut into the passenger side for the sliding side door which provides ample access to the rear seats and rear vents bring air into the rear mounted engine. The pure box continues on the back where low tail lights allow for a large liftgate and a low lift over for cargo. 14-inch wheels carry 185R14 tires with a late 2020 manufacturing date. Imperfections include bubbling in the paint, some uneven gap filler, and a crack in the paint.
Interior
Gray cloth inserts fit into the blue vinyl door panels and characteristic black Volkswagen hardware adorn the panels and includes a speaker and vent. Gray cloth bucket seats with pivoting armrests on both sides present nicely with wear apparent on the driver's side. The piping around the seats is wavy but this condition does not continue on the back seats which are attached twins in the middle and a bench of three in the rear where plenty of headroom and legroom prevails and everyone gets a pull down armrest. Some of the vinyl sidewall shows some looseness but is fully intact while some vinyl corner guards on the floor show some wear. The textured steering wheel and dash pod is clean and a now vintage 1986 digital clock is part of the cluster. A Blaupunkt AM/FM/Cassette radio is in the center just behind the floor mounted shifter with rubber boot and surrounded by low pile blue carpet in good shape but showing some spots and tears from usage. The headliner is in good shape and the overhead console starts the vent system which travels through the middle of the ceiling to distribute air. Overall, the interior is an airy environment with lots of space to move around and lots of windows to enjoy the sights.
Drivetrain
Under a panel in the back is the 2.1 liter Boxer 4 cylinder engine with Digifant electronic fuel injection and rated at 95 horsepower. The 5-speed manual transmission has four speeds plus low range and power is sent to both axles where 4.86 gears ratio the all wheel drive system. The van received a new clutch at 114,475 miles and one cylinder head at about 117k. The alternator and battery are also newer. Power brakes are supplied with discs in front and drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
Generally clean underneath with some residual oil on the front diff and some flaking invasive rust on the right trailing arm rail. The exhaust system was replaced at 117k and other than surface rust, looks fine as it enters a single, stock style muffler before exiting out back. Suspension consists of coil springs up front and independent semi trailing arm and coil springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
We love the forward position and grand visibility from the large windshield and it's rare to exit the garage before the engine does, but off we go onto the test track and it takes a few minutes for the engine to smooth out but eventually the brick shaped van finds its way and provides a comfortable, upright ride where tracking and braking perform well. The A/C is not working and our consignor reports it is not holding a charge. The fuel gauge only reads half a tank regardless of what's in there. Everything else including lights, signals, wipers and more all work as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
We were carpooled in station wagons as kids and while cool enough, riding in a Vanagon would have been so much cooler! This seven passenger van would not only make a nice retro showpiece, but also a fun family van for ice cream runs or trips to the local park. The flat floor and practical use of space along with the AWD could also serve as the basis for an overland conversion as Synchros are not very common. Any way you look at it, the unique styling of the VW Vanagon assures its standing as a classic recreational vehicle.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit or call us at 855-201-7026. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
