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Subject:Re: An Early Vanagon Ad
From:Ben T
Date:Fri, 8 Mar 2013 10:12:28 -0800

I was at the 50th Anniversary (circa 1998) for Porsche at Laguna Seca where Marty's "Range Panzer" was parked by the spectator entrance. It was a Savannah Beige Syncro tintop IIRC. Many years later, I found myself the owner of the conversion parts from that very same Syncro! Here's Marty's webpage:

 http://www.msdsinc.com/company.html

I love Marty's contribution to the enthusiast community but have to comment on his statements in that website. 

"Around the year 2002, Porsche will introduce its new S.U.V. It will be a Porsche powered, VW frame and possibly VW body work vehicle...Sensational ! 

In 1990, some 12 years pre- dating Porsche, MSDS introduced its own S.U.V. the "Range Panzer". This 4WD,911 / 3.2 litre powered Vanagon (go anywhere) Syncro , was featured in "European Car" magazine, December, 1991. In 1998, MSDS went full tilt with the introduction of its German8ter. This one-ton rated, six passenger, 400HP small block Chevy powered, VW DoubleCab Transporter is Martin's answer to the boring pick-up trucks on the market today."

Marty didn't credit Porsche for creating the B32 about half a decade before his Range Panzer.

BTW, for those have never seen them, Marty's Range Panzer badge was a shield made in the shape of a Porsche crest of diamond plate with a smooth area where the Range Panzer is neatly carved. 

BenT
sent from my electronic leash

On Mar 8, 2013, at 9:21 AM, EDWARD V BARGER <edvbarger@MAC.COM> wrote:

> and some how I seem to remember seeing  the Porsche  syncro  in the back round  of shots  in a winter race some where in the mountains of europe
>

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