I found you, T3 Syncro

It’s looking promising. After a few days of searching, I’ve come across a potential candidate for my T3 Syncro van.

As part of my search routine, which I’ve already told you about, I go onto the Busman website and it turns out there are some new vans listed. Among the new listings, I spot one that’s quite reasonably priced, so I click through to check the description and photos. Things are looking good, and they get even better when I see that the number plate looks Spanish. The advert states that it doesn’t have a front differential and is therefore currently rear-wheel drive; the colour isn’t exactly lovely either, but I fill in the contact form anyway to see what happens.

It was then, just a few hours later, that my mobile rang. It was the owner of the Syncro himself; Mike from Busman had passed on my details so he could get in touch with me.
We had a chat and everything started to fall into place: at first glance, the price is right, it’s roadworthy and has a valid MOT, it’s relatively close to my home (I mean, it’s not on the other side of Spain) and, although it needs quite a bit of work, it’s definitely the sort of car I’m looking for. Everything seems to suggest it’s worth going to have a look at it, so I arrange to meet him to see if I can go and test drive it. Good vibes!!

The trip to see the Syncro in person

It’s Saturday 8 October 2016, when I travel to Tarragona with a friend to test drive the Syncro. After a couple of hours’ drive, we arrive at the owner’s house, where he very kindly shows us the T3, the invoices, the engine, and we take it for a spin. My initial impression was that this was a more serious project than others I’d undertaken; it’s a large, heavy vehicle that doesn’t fit just anywhere, and you need a hoist to carry out many of the jobs on it. But one thing was clear to me: if I take the plunge, it has to be with this one. Even so, I didn’t finalise anything with the owner as I needed to think it over.

It takes just a few days (less than 48 hours) before I make up my mind – it’s a yes – so I pay a deposit to put both of us at ease. I’ve got my Syncro!! I’ve found you!!

Although there’s a lot of work to be done on it, perhaps the most urgent issue is that it’s currently rear-wheel drive only, as the front differential is empty after someone messed it up back in the day with the locking mechanisms. The driveshaft has been removed and checked by Volkswagen. So the first thing will be to find a differential and get the four-wheel drive working again.

My mind is already racing through everything that needs doing… I really enjoy this sort of thing.