2000-model VW CC syncro 2.5TDi
-My turn ?
Okay. Got my third Type 4 now after having both a '91-model 2.4d Caravelle CL ("Eurovan") 8-seater (had 10 when new, not during my time of ownership) and a 2003 2.5TDi Multivan INTRO (Norwegian converted weekendcamper, Westie roof and two Reimo cabinets in the middle, 5 seater).
So I got the California Coach about 13 months ago. Me and the missus discussed the Multivan with its 5 seats vs the California Coach with 4 seats but ended up with the Multivan, so partly because the marriage now is over (hey, I put on Iron Maiden's classic "Running Free" the other day when I got a letter from the Govt claiming I'm a free man again) and partly because I do not need 5 seats, I got the fourseater with a syncro and ESP + tracksion control.
First thing I did last year was fit a set of 5 ATs and they look nice. Note the posh wheelbolts - I got 23 black bolts now, looks way better.
Only drawback is now the spare wheel cover won't fit anymore :coffeedrink:
Like all Californias it has a to burner stove (propanefuelled, mine is leaking near the bottle so I will get a new hose), and an Electrolux frigde (top lid).Like the previous Westfaliaconverted campers it has plenty of space in cabinets and all I miss from the Westfalia Multivan I sold to my ex.father-in, is the safety net in the loft - keeped my daughter from falling down. So I ought to get another net and mount it before she discovers gravity (she's 4 yrs old, bound to happen).
I dream of the day when I have fitted a difflock on the rear axle, but for now it is sufficient as a softroader with its electronic difflock on the front axle.
Also I await reply from a "local" converter company, Arctic Trucks (Norway) that might just raise my rig about four inches for me. Arctic Trucks advertize that they have been tought by Peter Seikel (Autoseikel.de), so I really want a positive reply anytime soon. Like now ? No.
They, or if they cannot do it - AutoSeikel themselves - will also mount skid plates under the engine, the drive chain and the fuel tank.
When done - all I got to do is put money aside and go somewhere when the time is right.
In the 13 months I have done about 20.000 km, wich is little for me - I have "normally" the last five years had an annual driving distance of about 50.000km.
Plans ? I got plans. I know the cost of driving from Durban, Zuid-Africa to the North Cape, and I have an idea of what it takes to do the Panamerican Highway from Ushuaia to Alaska. Currently I fiddle with routeplanners, my paper travel notebook and a calculus to get a better understanding of what it takes to drive the Silk Road (one of them).
Hope I'm able to start a once in a lifetime event for myself when I retire from work close to 30 years from now, driving around the world. Till then, I shall attend the German "Treffen" (mean - meatings, gatherings) like Bullidays 2013 (was there last year with von Boedefeld amongst others), Lohr Tuning-treffen at Wietzendorf and of course - our own little Buscamp at Tinn, Telemark.
Yours,
Yngve from Oslo