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VW Kombi loved by folk everywhere


There are the surfies, the hippies, the nostalgic and the families who have all fallen in love with the many sides of the Kombi.

Appealing aspects include the size and space they offer, the old-school look and, most importantly, the character.

Kombi expert Steve Muller says the beauty of the design is that it's very versatile.

“They were always used by government departments, the army, navy and air force,” he says. “They were used as school buses; bakers, builders, and plumbers used them, and they were used for leisure and pleasure as well.”

Muller is a man who knows his Kombi history. His father began selling and working on the VW vans in the 1950s. Muller then took over the business in the '70s and continues his Kombi passion with the business Kombi Rescue. He says he's now the point of contact for Volkswagen when history is needed.

“They represent some sort of romance, freedom,” he says. Muller says the Kombis were affordable in the early days, selling for around pound stg. 899. Volkswagen sold 299 Kombis in their first year in Australia, he says.

Restored models now sell for as much as $20,000. Scott France is one of the many big fans of the Volkswagen van.

The 39-year-old has owned two Kombis, both slipping into the role of the family car.

“I've been interested in the Kombi since we started to have a family,” he says.

France previously owned a 1976 Kombi camper. And as the France family grew, they decided the family car had to grow with it.

“We had the other one for about three years, but we ran out of room when we had our third child, we needed room for five,” he says.

They now own a 1970 Kombi Microbus, which has eight seats and does the job well.

France lists the positives as the space for the children and “being able to load lots of gear to take away on holidays”. And it was a success on a long road trip.

“My most memorable moment with the Kombi was probably when I first bought this one up in Queensland,” France says. “I took my oldest daughter, she would have been about five at the time.” The pair drove it back together, all the way from Queensland to Blacktown, without a problem. And it was given the thumbs up from his daughter.

But the Kombi isn't your usual car when it comes to getting behind the wheel.

“At first you don't think you'll be able to drive one, but you quickly get used to it,” France says. “It's like nothing else you've driven.” He compares it to a bus, especially with the big steering wheel.

And as far as problems go, France's VW has only needed general maintenance — which is not bad for a 37-year-old car.

France uses the Kombi as his daily drive, and says he wouldn't even consider upgrading to a newer car.

While his wife owns a more modern Kia, he says the family would much prefer to travel and go on holidays in the Kombi.

That is despite the lack of airconditioning, although France has compensated for that somewhat by installing sliding windows and rear opening windows. The France family often return the Kombi to its earlier roots with their beach trips up the coast. And they especially enjoy trips with other Kombi fans.

“The most we have had at any one place was 160 (Kombis) over a long weekend ... often groups of a dozen or so,” France says.

Muller and France say they enjoy the culture and community that has developed around the Kombi since its introduction to Australia in 1954.

“Every time you drive past another Kombi, more than likely they'll wave to you ... it's an unwritten rule,” France says.

“You do get a lot of people (who used to own one) coming up and talking to you. They tell you about the adventures they used to have.”

And Muller says he's noticed a recent trend among older people, especially baby boomers, who owned a Kombi when they were in their 20s, and are now trying to reclaim their youth by once more jumping into a Kombi.


Fast facts

1970 Kombi Microbus

Value when new: about $1800

Value four years ago: $8000

Value now: Insured for $16,000

Verdict: Attracting a whole range of followers. The Kombi is still a practical, desirable and trendy car today and has developed a legion of new fans.

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