> 
> What is the allowable speed range for the fifth "creeper" gear in the
> Vanagon Syncro transmission?
> 

It has exactly half (twice?) the gear ratio of first gear, so whatever is
the maximum allowable speed in first, divide by two and you have the high
speed granny gear!

> Were Syncros available with automatic transmissions?
> 

Not in the US.  Probably not in Europe either, but who knows?

-Jim