RR of the Day: 1992 VW Passat Syncro
Flickr user mtl_raoul's G60-powered '92 Passat GL Syncro is one of those things that grabbed our attention when we saw it floating around in the pool. For one, the grille-free B3 Passats are still cool-looking today. Add the fact that the all-wheel drive Syncro variant was not offered in the United States and things get even more interesting. A few did find their way to Canada, however, and that's where today's ride resides.
Once a daily driver, the Syncro has been relegated to "winter beater" duty -- a task it's up to considering the full winter package the loaded sedan is equipped with. That means that the requisite heated seats are joined by niceties like heated headlamp washers and a double-capacity washer fluid reservoir. The car's 1.8L supercharged four is not what it once was, sadly. The G-Lader crapped out on Raoul about a year ago and he removed the blower instead of taking the financial hit associated with the unit's repair or replacement. Other than that modification, the car's original.
Sizeable 'Syncro" decals on the rear quarter panels announce that the car is equipped with awd, and the metallic-finish wheels look pretty spiffy. The red G60 badge on the trunklid remains as a reminder of what once lurked underhood. Raoul says that while the removal of the supercharger really impacted performance (the Passat's a bit hefty for the now-unassisted 1.8), he still gets around 23 mpg and notes that it's still a blast to toss around snow-covered parking lots in the wintertime. The odo shows over 297,000 km (185,000 miles) -- a distance covered under four different owners, the most recent of whom now has himself today's Autoblog Reader Ride of the Day. Congrats, and thanks for sharing it with us!
Check out Raoul's summer machine, too, if you have a chance. When the white stuff melts, he climbs behind the wheel of a Subaru-powered VW Vanagon Westfalia.
How to submit to RR of the Day:
Create a Flickr account if you don't already have one. Join the group called 'Autoblog RR of the Day'. Upload up to three photos of your ride to your own account at a size no larger than 450 pixels wide if possible and include as much information about it and yourself as you can. Click on each photo and just above the picture it will say "Send to group". Click that and select the Autoblog group. You're done!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Senam Ahiable 4:48PM (7/11/2008)
I recently bought a 1994 passat b4 estate/wagon 1.8L. I need parts to put it in shape. the lights are very bad and so are the brakes, shocks and A/C.
Can someone link me to a dealer any where i can contact for parts? I really intend to put it in shape.
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Sam 9:25AM (2/22/2007)
Nice Syncro, but think about putting another blower on it someday!
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Oliver 10:31AM (2/22/2007)
Awesome Ride
A 1990 metallic red passat was my first car. Amazing inside and out. They were a rare sight on the road at the time. I loved that car. I then totalled it when I hit a deer while driving 90MPH in 1994. I have owned a 2001.5 passat and now a 2006. Nothing comes close to the style of the B3. Timeless, truly. I miss it...but I'll try to go on with my life.
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DriftPunch 10:48AM (2/22/2007)
As a windsurfer myself, I believe I see a a Star Board product on the roof!
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Rob 11:31AM (2/22/2007)
Many an evening was spent under the old 92 syncro wagon I once owned. I loved it for the room + awd, but hated it for the repairs!
With only~250 ever imported into Canada, parts for the AWD system became harder+harder to find.
Anyone interested in these cars should visit Yahoo groups, there is a group dedicated to the syncro with excellent resources (including the dreaded rear driveshaft rebuild).
Engine was nice, even nicer if you swap in a VR6 using the special bellhousing!
Kind of miss mine, but the 93 S4 I now own is much more tunable.
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Mtl_Raoul 12:33PM (2/22/2007)
Thanks for the selection and all the nice comments.
Yes I know of the yahoo syncrog60 group. I luckily live not too far from the passat syncro guru. My car is actually there for an ABS line job (rusted out). I almost decided to go for a Subaru beater when the car let me down this week, fully packed on a Friday night en route for the cottage up north when my brakes just disappeared in the middle of traffic....
Yes, it's a Starboard Go on the roof. I just hope I did not mislead some kids who though it was it the ultimate wind deflector/ground effect wing, and installed one as well.
PS: if you submit pictures to the RR pool, and have a recent account, it takes several pictures sent and a couple of weeks of delay before the pictures become public.
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Mtl_Raoul 12:54PM (2/22/2007)
Updated Subaru Westfalia page!
With many details. I don't have photos of the engine bay, but follow the Vanaru link, there are several on their website.
There is also a yahoo subaruvanagon group about the conversion. Many tech talk and help. The best ressource.
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aSHIRTandTIEguy 5:30PM (2/22/2007)
Hey,
THAT IS A RARE FIND? That car is worst then any "Bad car" you/I can think of! My parents drive a 1991 VW Passat GL. The car is horrendous! It sounds like a farm-tractor! IT'S A DAMM GASOLINE MODEL!!! The dealers don't even want to repair it, constant minor dumb problems, won't start in the morning. That VW model has caused my entire family to purchase NON-VW products cause it is/was so terrible! It is slow, heavy and guzzles! 22 MPG (13 L/100km) for 133 HP is Good? Are you serious? The car is also white, and has a front spoiler, and is the most unsatisfying vehicle to drive, ever manufactured!!!
Here is the kicker, that car has a Quebec license plate! I also live in Quebec! IF anyone would like please take it away, that car is horrendous! Make me an offer I can't refuse.
What is the next Rare Find of the Day? a Hyundai Pony? A Cadillac Cimarron? AMC Pacer? AMC Gremlin? Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare? A Daewoo? An Asüna? A Suzuki?
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RareSyncro 6:01PM (5/29/2007)
I have a '92 Passat Syncro for sale... only 201k, well maintained, mod chip + supercharger pulley 210hp, new tires, brakes, driveshafts... a lot of new parts! Asking $3000. Email me for more info!
christian Rodriguez 11:12PM (11/02/2009)
Hello I'm interested on the passat syncro.. Can i bring the to florida? write me back or call me . Thank you (954)295-2027
aSHIRTandTIEguy 7:12PM (5/29/2007)
Hello. What is your e-mail address.
I will "reply" to you there...
RareSyncro 7:20PM (5/29/2007)
email me @ montana.turf@gmail.com
Zeseft 4:41PM (7/03/2007)
My 1991 VW Passat GL has 217,000 miles on it and still gets 30 MPG at 85 MPH.. 35+ if I drive 60-65. Maybe there's something wrong with their car?
(Mine DID sound like a lawn mower before I had the downpipe fixed.. That was god awful.)
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Wojtek P 12:34PM (7/04/2007)
I'm looking to sell my car. Specs are:
92 Passat Syncro Wagon
280K KM
G60 Charger rebuilt ~50K KM ago
Mod chip
Supercharger pulley
200+ hp
Moon roof
4 new winter tires with wheels
Has been registered in the US, and can be taken there again (I will help with the process)
Currently located in Vancouver, BC
I don't expect to give this car away, so make me a reasonable offer if you're interested - wojtek_p(at)hotmail(dot)com
Some photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/94756509@N00/sets/72157594363829968/
I have a few spare parts kicking around as well, if you're interested in just those, make me an offer.
- 4 new winter tires with wheels
- Original sunroof with motor
- Rear wiper motor
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vwjedi 2:46PM (8/29/2007)
I am interested in buying a Passat Syncro variant, if you still have it let me know. Thanks
vwjedi 3:09PM (8/29/2007)
BTW my e-mail address is vwjedi@hotmail.com, :)
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