Bought a Surf Van yesterday.

[puerco-bellies]

My GF and I have been thinking about getting a vehicle for camping and lugging surfboards around. I was thinking about a VW van and she wanted a 4X4 to reach those "off the beaten track" areas. About a week ago we discovered that there is a perfect match for both our needs. From 1986 to 1991 Volkswagen made what is know as the Syncro type vans. These are all wheel drive vans with a on-demand locking differential feature. These things can go places that I never thought a VW van could go. We could not find a Westy model in our price range (dirt cheap) but we did find a regular passenger model know as a Vanagon Syncro. We will eventually convert it in to a true camper (Stove/refrigerator/sink) and possibly the pop-top bed. After buying it from a dealer in Orange Co we had our local mechanic check it out this morning and he told us it was in excellent mechanical condition, other then a slightly worn clutch. This afternoon we took it up to the San Gabriel mountains on a permit only U.S. Forest road and it performed beautifully.

We just got back from visiting my pop up in Colorado and wanted to explore the Wolf Creek pass area but could not do it in our little Toyota. I also know of several fossil and mineral sites that Alison wants to visit but we couldn't because before today our vehicles could not able to handle the rough terrain. Next stop is probably/hopefully a remote Baja surf spot. :-)

Here is our new baby:

[Heidi]

1. Very cool!

Congratulations! :thumbsup:

[wildhorses]

2. sounds like you guys are set...

ready for some adventures? Have fun and love that pic:hi:

[puerco-bellies]

3. Oh yeah!

Next Week will be some local mountain camping, and probably a New Mexico/Arizonia run the week after.

[wildhorses]

4. ok...I am starting to get jealous...

be sure and post some pix, ok?

[Kutjara]

5. Very good choice.

I got one of those when I left university and spent a year thrashing it around the Alps. It hauled the most improbable stuff through the most improbable places and would have lasted forever if someone (not me) hadn't forgotten to engage the handbrake. Still, it's final moments were nothing if not spectacular.

You'll have some great times with that van. Just remember the handbrake.

[billyskank]

6. You have SO got to paint that psychedelic

:D

[puerco-bellies]

8. I want to paint it like the Scooby-Doo Mystery van..

And my girlfriend wants to keep the Rainbow motiff. With all the stuff we need/want to do, and the money needed to do it, painting is WAY down the list.

[Tikki]

7. Nice, very nice....

Fun, fun, fun ahead.....


The Tikkis