Syncro mentioned in Campervan and Motorhome Book

The "Synchro" gets a mention in the Campervan and Motorhome Book by Colin Rivers.


From the old magazine reviews I have read, the Syncro comes out on top of the Starwagon. Unsure what the basis of his comment is?




Cheers.

Jon.
Jon, It seems that he believes a starwagon will go places a syncro can't. Which makes me think the author has no idea. I have driven a starwagon off road and they have trouble clearing an ant hill, having a transfer case does not make it necessarily better. 
From: Jon Bartlett <mail@jaybe.net>
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 5 February 2014 11:01 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro mentioned in Campervan and Motorhome Book [1 Attachment]

The "Synchro" gets a mention in the Campervan and Motorhome Book by Colin Rivers.


From the old magazine reviews I have read, the Syncro comes out on top of the Starwagon. Unsure what the basis of his comment is?




Cheers.

Jon.


This is a matter of perception in the minds of many.  If it hasn’t got a transfer box, it’s not a “real” four wheel drive.  Given that most who hold such opinions have never even seen a “Synchro”, let alone seen one casually picking its way through terrain that can stop “real” four wheel drives, this is unsurprising.  


From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Greg Esposito
Sent: 05 February 2014 11:32
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro mentioned in Campervan and Motorhome Book [1 Attachment]

Jon, It seems that he believes a starwagon will go places a syncro can't. Which makes me think the author has no idea. I have driven a starwagon off road and they have trouble clearing an ant hill, having a transfer case does not make it necessarily better. 

Do you know the author Les, he is an Ex GM engineer.
From: Les Harris <leslieharris@optusnet.com.au>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 5 February 2014 12:44 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro mentioned in Campervan and Motorhome Book

 
This is a matter of perception in the minds of many.  If it hasn’t got a transfer box, it’s not a “real” four wheel drive.  Given that most who hold such opinions have never even seen a “Synchro”, let alone seen one casually picking its way through terrain that can stop “real” four wheel drives, this is unsurprising.  
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Greg Esposito
Sent: 05 February 2014 11:32
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro mentioned in Campervan and Motorhome Book [1 Attachment]
Jon, It seems that he believes a starwagon will go places a syncro can't. Which makes me think the author has no idea. I have driven a starwagon off road and they have trouble clearing an ant hill, having a transfer case does not make it necessarily better. 


He is not an engineer but a journalist that can't even spell syncro.

Greg,

No, I didn’t and from memory, he is/was not a mechanical engineer.  He has contributed a lot to the recreational vehicle scene but there appears to be areas in which he is of limited knowledge, this being one of them.

Les


From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Greg Esposito
Sent: 05 February 2014 12:46
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro mentioned in Campervan and Motorhome Book

 

Do you know the author Les, he is an Ex GM engineer.

 

 

You are right Greg.

I did a 4WD driver training course many years ago when Chris Mullet the motoring journalist was doing them.

When he saw the syncro, he was concerned that it might behave like a star Wagon he had in an earlier course.

The Star Wagon he saw was so front heavy it almost rolled end over end down a steep decent part of the course.
The Syncro performed impeccably and Chris relaxed when he saw how competent it was.

The VW has a horizontal four down low in the back and is balanced 50/50 front and back,
while the Star Wagon has it's motor up high and at the front.

The forward roll centre of the Star Wagon is above the front wheels and not far behind them.
They are so well setup you could do somersaults in one.

Peter


On Tue, 4 Feb 2014 16:31:32 -0800 (PST), Greg Esposito wrote:

>Jon, It seems that he believes a starwagon will go places a syncro can't. Which makes me think the author has no idea. I have driven a starwagon off road and they have trouble clearing an ant hill, having a transfer case does not make it necessarily better.
>
>
>________________________________
> From: Jon Bartlett <mail@jaybe.net>
>To: "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, 5 February 2014 11:01 AM
>Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro mentioned in Campervan and Motorhome Book [1 Attachment]
>
>
>
>The "Synchro" gets a mention in the Campervan and Motorhome Book by Colin Rivers.
>
> http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/books/campervan_motorhome.htm
>
>From the old magazine reviews I have read, the Syncro comes out on top of the Starwagon. Unsure what the basis of his comment is?
>
>
>
>
>Cheers.
>
>Jon.