That's Stuart's rig. He's on the Syncro 16 List and other Syncro forums. I don't have my records here but that 16" is one of maybe 2-3 existing in the whole continent of Africa. I know Stuart was in the process of restoring the Syncro 16 which was used by the Soviet diplomatic mission in Cuba and subsequently in South Africa. Maybe this is the same van.

Yes, there is such a thing as an OEM rear spare tire carrier. IIRC, they sold for about $1200 when you could order them. That's because you had to order them in pieces unless you ordered one when you bought your Syncro 16 new.

The SA steering wheel looking wheels came on Eurovans or T4's as they are commonly called elsewhere.

BenT
sent from my electronic leash

On Oct 20, 2011, at 1:26 PM, Oxroad <oxroad@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Just for fun in this case, we are marching to Pretoria where this Syncro is
> located.
> 
> The pics of this 16" Syncro for sale in South Africa show what is referred
> to as an "OEM" rear spare tire carrier.
> Did VW make these or is it misstated? I've never heard tell of them before.
> 
> In other news: it's interesting to me to see the pictures of this bus. It's
> a little rough.
> 
> Among other things I think the
> leather SA steering wheel is of the Unpadded variety. The only SA steering
> wheels I've seen available in the states
> through vendors is a Padded Leather steering wheel. I have seen the SA Wheel
> that is leather but NOT padded
> and in my opinion it's a cooler option. Think of the leather steering wheels
> in a Golf or the rare
> Vanagon leather steering wheels that were available in the US--more of a
> sport steering wheel
> than a comfort steering wheel. I've never had any luck finding a part number
> for the unpadded leather wheel from
> South Africa.
> 
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1200498
> 
> 
> Best,
> Jeff
> 83.5 Westy
> LA,CA