The internet can always be relied upon to bring us information at light speed. But it can also bring a spotlight on things we either didn’t know or forgot entirely about. One such thing is this, a 1989 VW T3 Doka Syncro.

Okay, that’s a lot of words, so let’s break it down. T3 refers to the third generation of Volkswagen’s iconic Type 2 “Bus” vans. These were produced from 1979 to 1990, with a special batch made exclusively for the South African market until 2002. By and large, these vehicles were two-wheel-drive when sold in the U.S., so finding a four-wheel-drive (as denoted by Syncro) model is pretty rare nowadays. As for Doka, that derives from the German word doppelkabine, or “double cabin;” effectively, a crew cab layout.

Now that we have a better idea of what we’re dealing with, let’s explore what sets this V-dub apart. First, we have the fact that it was given some choice upgrades from DunnTech Motorsports in San Bernardino, California. We spoke with the founder and owner, Sean Dunn, to learn more.

“We put a Chevy EcoTec motor in it, which we also run in our Pro Buggy, and it fit right in there,” said Sean. “It makes about 170 horsepower, which is enough. Suspension is made up of Fox coilovers with about 8 or 9 inches of travel; the CV axles prevent it from going any further.”

The Doka has an original VW paint called Sea Sand.

As for the look of the Doka, Sean’s aim was to keep it classic. “I wanted the outside to look fairly stock,” continued Sean. “The paint is called Sea Sand, an original VW color from the late ‘60s.”