Hi Blaine,
I'll let someone else give you the exact years, but my 89 syncro 7-passenger
has it.  Westfalias are the campers, and they have a different A/C from the
one you're thinking of.  Since they have a poptop, there is a big hole in
the middle of the roof, so the central duct you described would be in the
way.  The westys that have A/C only have a rear section, with no center duct
or front vents.  It also takes for-eva for the cold air to reach the front
seats.....
tx,
bmc  :)
"Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."

> From: Blaine Sanders <blaines@STRATA.COM>
> Reply-To: Blaine Sanders <blaines@STRATA.COM>
> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 16:26:27 -0800
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Intro again
>
> This appears to have gone to an individual member, rather than the entire
> list.  Apologies, Matthieu...
> ------------
> Hello,
>
> My name is Blaine, and I live in So. Utah.  I don't currently own a vanagon,
> but I'm interested in finding out more about them.
>
> My first question is about air conditioning.  What years and models came
> with the ceiling mounted a/c system?  I've seen a few vanagons with this
> system, and I really like the design.  I think it was in the mid - late
> 80's?  I would like to find a vanagon with this system.
>
> Just in case there were more than one ceiling mounted a/c systems used, I'll
> describe it a little better.  Starting at the rear, up on the ceiling there
> is a section that spans the entire width of the ceiling which contains what
> I assume is the A/C evaporator.  From there, a column extends along the
> ceiling all the way to the front, with vents on both sides of the column,
> spaced every 3 feet or so, where the two rear bench seats would be.  At the
> front windshield, the column meets another full-width section which contains
> the fan controls and some other vents for the passengers on the front seat.
> This "console" also has integrated sun visors.  Both units I have seen were
> made of injection-molded plastic and were tan in color.  Both vans were NOT
> campers.  I did not notice if either were Westfalias or not (not even sure
> what a Westfalia is yet).
>
> Any help in identifying the years and models this system came in would be
> greatly appreciated.  Also any quirks or other things I should know about
> these systems or the vans they came in would also be appreciated..
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Blaine
>