They did it because there weren't any Syncro Westies made as full campers.
There were a few Syncro Weekenders in the middle years only.

Makes more sense now, yes?

On 7/5/07, Todd Last <rubatoguy@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> Was someone lamenting that the conversion made the Vanagon less authentic?
>
> I just thought it was surprising that you could make such a swap - and
> questioning why you would do it when you could simply buy a used Syncro.
>
> I thought only Jay Leno had more money than he knew what to do with that
> he spent by funding expensive crazy car conversions.  :-)
>
> I've never heard anyone call a replica GTO a crime - as long as the seller
> was honest in its represenataion.
>
> Todd
>
>
> -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
> > Yes, a two wheel drive can be made into a syncro. A 1964 Pontiac Tempest
> > can be made into a GTO,too. Nobody cares if the Vanagon is made into a
> > syncro(even at $67K), but if a Tempest is made into a GTO, it is a
> crime.
> > Why? Nobody cares if a Vanagon is converted to syncro and this fact is
> > hidden. Why?.
> >
> > Why are not people concerned about the correctness of the Vanagon? The
> > engine? I dont think so.Vanagon is not a classic? Hummmmm.
> >
> > This spring I believe that I found the fourth ever Canadian Vanagon
> > Westfalia in a junkyard. I have the documentation to show my claim,and I
> > gave it to the list to see.It was a document laminated to the rear of
> the
> > sink cabinet door. Nobody cared even a tiny bit. If I was a vendor(Im
> > not), I think it would be a nice item (the door) to frame and put on my
> > office wall.Can any document an earlier Vanagon? Who cares?
> >
> > I say all this because the Vanagon does fill a different space in
> > automnobilia, than is usual. I may try to sell an item for the Vanagon
> and
> > go to great lengths to show it original or correct, and few care even a
> > tiny bit.
> >
> > I dont think the person who eventually buys this GW Syncro will care a
> > tiny bit,that it is a fake syncro,or is it?
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com