VANAGON Telstra syncro bumper - wanted

1
Hi there - im after a australian telstra rear tow hitch/bumper
bar/expanded mesh step - got 1 for sale ???

Hamish
0448674617
dobson_hamish@yahoo.com.au
2
Hamish,
I don't believe this, I just threw 2 out to the local scrap man, last week, they have been behind the shed for a year!! I didn't think any one would want those nasty heavy rear bars.
Sorry.
Dave
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 4:41 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] VANAGON Telstra syncro bumper - wanted

Hi there - im after a australian telstra rear tow hitch/bumper
bar/expanded mesh step - got 1 for sale ???

Hamish
0448674617
dobson_hamish@ yahoo.com. au

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com 
Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.5/1571 - Release Date: 7/24/2008 5:42 PM
3
Hamish,
 
As a matter of interest, the Vanagon name was used only in the US.  In Australia, it was called the Transporter.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 4:41 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] VANAGON Telstra syncro bumper - wanted

Hi there - im after a australian telstra rear tow hitch/bumper
bar/expanded mesh step - got 1 for sale ???

Hamish
0448674617
dobson_hamish@ yahoo.com. au

4
Oh, and another naming matter - it wasn't Telstra (Telstra didn't exist ten) - it was Telecom.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 4:41 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] VANAGON Telstra syncro bumper - wanted

Hi there - im after a australian telstra rear tow hitch/bumper
bar/expanded mesh step - got 1 for sale ???

Hamish
0448674617
dobson_hamish@ yahoo.com. au

5
On 7/25/08, Les Harris <leslieharris@optushome.com.au> wrote:
Hamish,
 
As a matter of interest, the Vanagon name was used only in the US.  In Australia, it was called the Transporter.
 
Les
 
 
Partially corerect, Les. The Japanese got the T3 as "Vanagon" as well.
 
 
BenT
6
Ben,
 
Wasn't aware that they were even sold there.  Any idea of how well they sold?
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 6:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] VANAGON Telstra syncro bumper - wanted



On 7/25/08, Les Harris <leslieharris@ optushome. com.au> wrote:
Hamish,
 
As a matter of interest, the Vanagon name was used only in the US.  In Australia, it was called the Transporter.
 
Les
 
 
Partially corerect, Les. The Japanese got the T3 as "Vanagon" as well.
 
 
BenT

7
>
> Partially corerect, Les. The Japanese got the T3 as "Vanagon" as well.
>
>
> BenT

Are you sure that they were not ex-US vans?

Phill
8
No, They were RHD, I saw a Japanese import Vanagon at Pickles Auctions in Sydney a couple of years ago, had every option on it too.
Dave
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 7:34 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] VANAGON Telstra syncro bumper - wanted



>
> Partially corerect, Les. The Japanese got the T3 as "Vanagon" as well.
>
>
> BenT

Are you sure that they were not ex-US vans?

Phill

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com 
Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.5/1571 - Release Date: 7/24/2008 5:42 PM
9
On 7/25/08, Les Harris <leslieharris@optushome.com.au> wrote:
Ben,
 
Wasn't aware that they were even sold there.  Any idea of how well they sold?
 
Les
 
 
Les,
 
Since Japan is a RHD country, they had the same models that you Aussies got. According to Yoshi runs a
webpage for the Vanagon Nippon Members Club. He would be the guy to ask specifics. It's my understanding
that they are quite rare in Vanagon. His email is yosh@max.hi-ho.ne.jp I think Yosh is either the president or
at least one of the leaders of their club. Ironically, his Vanagon Westfalia Camper is a US-spec LHD model.
 
If you can read Japanese (I can't), you might want to look over their club website:
 
 
If you click the logo or link below, it will take you to a very short video:
 
 
Anyway, there is apparently a very active community there. In fact one of their members who is also an automotive
journalist spent a few months here in the US on tour. I knew he was writing about his experience here but did not
know I was going to get my photo in the magazine. I would have out some make-up on first when they took that
picture. He just went back to Japan a few days ago. Magazine should be coming to me in the mail soon.
 
Interestingly enough, they also call their T4's Eurovan, the same way we called them here. I suspect it has a lot to
do with the perceived Japanese fascination for American pop-culture. Ironically again, many young Americans are
enamoured with Japanese pop-culture as well. Methinks I'm going to gag now... just kidding.
 
 
BenT 
 

 
10
Hi there,

Vanagons were also sold in Austria and Germany. In Germany some of the
last models of the Campervans Westfalia "Atlantic" and "California"
had a "Vanagon" badge too.

Fourthermore some Vanagons were not exported to the US, so they were
sold here.

Here some links to the Austrian and German brochures:

Austria: http://boltze.dyndns.org/terlinden/prospekte/oesterreich/

California:
http://boltze.dyndns.org/terlinden/prospekte/deutschland/reisemobile/Westfalia/1990_01_Der_Volkswagen_California/

Atlantic:
http://boltze.dyndns.org/terlinden/prospekte/deutschland/reisemobile/Westfalia/1990_01_Der_Volkswagen_Atlantic/

Regarding the Asian imports, I don't know a exact number, but they
were imported and converted to luxury taxis with other interior.
I think Ben has some pictures.

Regards

Christoph Boltze

1985 Caravelle GL syncro
Germany



--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "BenT Syncro" <syncro@...>
wrote:
>
> On 7/25/08, Les Harris <leslieharris@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hamish,
> >
> > As a matter of interest, the Vanagon name was used only in the US. In
> > Australia, it was called the Transporter.
> >
> > Les
> >
>
>
> Partially corerect, Les. The Japanese got the T3 as "Vanagon" as well.
>
>
> BenT
>
11
On 7/25/08, plander@optusnet.com.au <plander@optusnet.com.au> wrote:



>
> Partially corerect, Les. The Japanese got the T3 as "Vanagon" as well.
>
>
> BenT

Are you sure that they were not ex-US vans?

Phill
 
Phill,
 
I am quite sure.
 
Although the Vanagon Nippon Club count several US Vanagons in the
ownership of their members, the rest are Japanese market Vanagons.
An automotive writer from Japan just spent some time with me in San
Francisco and this was one of the subjects I duscussed with him. He
is also a member of said club.
 
 
 
BenT
12
> at least one of the leaders of their club. Ironically, his Vanagon
> Westfalia
> Camper is a US-spec LHD model.
>
>

All Westfalias are LHD.
13
>
> I am quite sure.
>
>
>
> BenT

Well it's something that I now know. :)
14
On 7/25/08, vwpix_org <C.Boltze@gmx.de> wrote:
Regarding the Asian imports, I don't know a exact number, but they
were imported and converted to luxury taxis with other interior.
I think Ben has some pictures.
 
 
Christoph,
 
I think the question was the use of the nameplate "Vanagon". The T3's I saw in Asia (Thailand, Hong Kong, & Philippines)
recently were all badged "Transporter".
 
While we are on the subject of nameplates, there is a good number of very nicely kept Australian Country Buggies alive
and well in the Philippines. They are called "Sakbayan" there. Apparently, VW sent many of them there as well as other
Developing countries when the Aussie decided not to order them. "Sakbayan" is a combination of the words "sasakyan"
which means vehicle and "bayan" meaning country. Filipinos are keen making new names out of two other words. They
even do that with their children (Ex. Maria Theresa becomes Maritess / Jesus & Rosilan has a son named Jero.). Anyway,
VW's marketing department in Manila clearly knew this. So the Sakbayan was adopted for the Type 197 Country Buggy.
 
 
On a separate note, VW also sold a truck which may be unique to the country. It was called "Trakbayan". Can you guess
why? "Trak" is how they pronounce the word truck. There is a similar homemade looking truck sold by VW in Mexico. IIRC
it was called Hormiga or "ant".
 
Trakbayan
 
 
Slightly uglier Hormiga:
 
 
 
Cheers,
 
BenT
15
On 7/25/08, plander@optusnet.com.au <plander@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
> at least one of the leaders of their club. Ironically, his Vanagon
> Westfalia
> Camper is a US-spec LHD model.
>
>

All Westfalias are LHD.
 
 
Semantics, Phill. What about the RHD Westfalias sold in the UK? I am not sure about
other RHD countries but I have seen lots of Westies which are RHD and delivered that
way from Westfalia.
 
Just for laughs, search the key words "RHD Westfalia". I know many of the ones that
show up are not actually Westfalias but there are a good number that are.
 
 
BenT
16
, there is a good number of
> very
> nicely kept Australian Country Buggies alive
> and well in the Philippines. They are called "Sakbayan" there.
> Apparently,
> VW sent many of them there as well as other
> Developing countries when the Aussie decided not to order them.

They were actually made in the Philippines from CKD kits made in Australia.
17
Unless the sliding door is on the driver's side, there is no such thing. The cupboards were only made for LHD.


>
>
> Semantics, Phill. What about the RHD Westfalias sold in the UK? I am not
> sure about
> other RHD countries but I have seen lots of Westies which are RHD and
> delivered that
> way from Westfalia.
>
> Just for laughs, search the key words "RHD Westfalia". I know many of
> the
> ones that
> show up are not actually Westfalias but there are a good number that
> are.
>
>
> BenT
18
On 7/25/08, plander@optusnet.com.au <plander@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
, there is a good number of
> very
> nicely kept Australian Country Buggies alive
> and well in the Philippines. They are called "Sakbayan" there.
> Apparently,
> VW sent many of them there as well as other
> Developing countries when the Aussie decided not to order them.

They were actually made in the Philippines from CKD kits made in Australia.
 
 
Correct. Labor is cheap. Tax was high. IIRC, in the 70's most imported vehicles
were taxed at about 205%. Most major manufacturers assembled in-country. At
that time, there was no real automotive manufacturing industry in the country.
 
That is why you can find oddball buses there which look like T1 Splitties yet have
Baywindow fronts. Type II's were sent knowdown as well. This is probably the same
reason why VW parts stocks leftover from their departure from the Philippine market
in the mid-80's includes entire sides of assorted vehicles ranging from Type 2's,
early Passats (the Dasher in the US), and even Brasilias. I saw some of these with
my own eyes a few years ago. VW's old landlord passed away and his son has been
selling off the contents of the 6-7 warehouses of parts abandoned by VW in the rented
buildings.
 
 
BenT
19
.
>
> That is why you can find oddball buses there which look like T1
> Splitties
> yet have
> Baywindow fronts.

These were made in Brazil.
20
I am just amazed at the details coming to light here!
 
Les