In a message dated 97-10-30 07:29:51 EST, sxs@concentric.net writes:

<< My syncro has black mirrors, not white mirrors, so i always assumed that
 it was a 1989 model, even though the po called it a 1990.  According to
 Ron's chart, however, it is a 1990 since it has the "L" designation for
 the year of manufacture.  The California title also states that it is a
 1990.  But the date of manufacture on the door jam sticker states "mfg.
 by Volkswagen AG West Germany 5/89."  The line below it states
 "incomplete manufacture 6/89."  According to the VIN code, the van was
 manufactured in Austria and was number 209 to come off the line.
  Is it an '89 or a '90? >>

It's a 1990.  Manufacturers typically have the production cycle offest from
the calendar year by 5-8 months.  Sometimes even more.  Apparently, around
May of 1989 VW started making 1990 models.  The model year of a vehicle is
not determined by the date of manufacture, but by the manufacturer's
production runs.

Jim Davis