Volkswagen Kombi News

Volkswagen's iconic Kombi van turns 60 this year and the German carmaker is preparing a fitting celebration. A three-day event in Germany in October is expected to attract thousands of Kombi enthusiasts and their vehicles. The first Kombi was built by VW staff to transport heavy panels around the Hamburg factory, but became a full production model after it was seen by a Dutch dealer. In the 60 years since its introduction the Kombi, now in its fifth generation, has been the vehicle of choice for the flower-power generation and holiday campers, a people mover and a humble goods carrier. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is behind the international VW Camper event, from October 5-7 in Hanover. Thousands of unusual Kombis are expected to make the journey. “Scarcely any other vehicle evokes as many emotions as the VW Kombi,” Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand management spokesman Stephen Schaller says. “Back then it stood for new departures, economic success, independence, fun and travel. “It is pleasant, reliable and a real cult vehicle. We want to establish the unrivalled legacy of our brand with the international VW Camper event.” At the event, visitors will be able to see lovingly restored models such as the T1, T2, T3 and T4 and talk to their owners. They will also be able to see which model was on the road in which decade, and browse through the latest products.  

When we think of Volkswagen history two vehicles come to mind: the enduring Beetle and of course the ubiquitous Kombi.At the recent Klubfest held at Parklands on the the Gold Coast, it was fascinating to see how many incarnations VW has had over the years Beetles, Karman Ghias, Kombis as campers, utes, twin cab utes, people movers, vans, beach or dune buggies, sedans, three wheeled bikes.VW engines have been fitted to just about everything from two wheels to four.Tucked away on its own at the show organised by the VW Club and the Kombi Club, was one Australian-designed and built VW that was rare when it was produced, let alone more than 40 years on.It was the Australian Country Buggy, just 887 units were built and sold in Australia.Put politely, the buggy was not the most handsome car produced here, or anywhere else.It was designed and built at VW's Clayton plant in suburban Melbourne with the first prototype hitting the testing phase in 1965 ahead of a release in 1967.As its name indicates, the buggy was intended for rural use but not the extreme stuff where a 4WD would still be required.In that sense it was probably the equivalent of the current day `soft roader' style vehicles.But, anyone who has had anything to do with light-bodied VWs knows they are highly competent off-roaders, with all the engine weight over the rear wheels, good ground clearance and excellent entry and departure angles.It's worth mentioning that in the 1950s VW Beetles won the Redex Trial, three Mobilgas trials and and Ampol trial, and also took out most of the top places.That was in an era when Highway Number One was little more than a goat track with more than 100 river crossings.There's little doubt the Australian Country Buggy had its roots in this success, and also as a flow-on from the Volkswagen Kubelwagen, a military-style Beetle used by both the Wehrmacht and the SS.The Aussie buggy was a much smaller vehicle having just two doors while the above mentioned vehicles had four doors. It was powered by VW's proven 1285cc (1300) four-cylinder, air-cooled engine, although a 1192cc (1200) engine was also available.The car was, by any measure, spartan when it came to instruments or comfort.Options included the smaller engine, a soft top and side curtains and winter tread tyres. There was no standard or optional heater.The first commercial buggy made its public appearance at the 1967 Melbourne Motor Show.At the time the little buggy was described as a cross between a Jeep and a Moke the unkind described it as a Joke.The little vehicle was far from a joke, but its demise just eight months after release was cruel.VW sales were on the decline and in 1968 VW was in turmoil.The buggy's timing could not have been worse. As the company looked for answers, one easy target was the Country Buggy.Newspaper ads from that time provide an insight into VW's marketing: “If you think the Beetle is ugly ... take a look at this one. VW Country Buggy. The uglier Volkswagen built for rugged dirty work.”Couldn't have said it better myself. 

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.

So says Kombi Club founding president Roy Hodkinson, who owned a VW Beetle in 1974 and a Kombi in 1977 and a few years ago bought a 1959 Kombi Microbus Splitscreen shell for $1000. The 47-year-old Gold Coast carpenter owns four Kombis in various states of repair, but only the Microbus is roadworthy. "People no longer are using them to drive them into the ground," he said. "They are spending a lot of money on them. Their other car might be a Merc, Ferrari or Jag, but they prefer to drive the Kombi. I think everybody has that bit of eccentricity in them and wants to relive their youth a bit, whether they were a hippie or not. "It's a release from everyday life and it's certainly something a bit different." Three years ago, Hodkinson opened the Bus Stop, in Burleigh Heads, to import VW parts and, about 18 months ago, he established the Kombi Club. "Kombis are getting so popular you can actually build a brand new one out of new panels and parts," he said. He spent $35,000 on his Microbus which is now like new. "I just find them the most reliable cars on the road. "They are also very versatile. You can go camping, or carry nine people or take rubbish to the dump in them." The Kombi Club, which is free to join, now has about 1050 on-line members from New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany with about 900 from Australia, plus 200 members who do not have computer access. The club organises camping events and cruises around Australia, with the first National Kombi Club Bus Stop Run in Canberra at Easter. "We have a technical section where someone in Adelaide can help someone with a technical problem in Cairns," Hodkinson said. Fellow club founder Bert Wright, 54, of Bracken Ridge, bought his fully restored 1973 Microbus Deluxe in 2004. He has loved them since he learnt to drive in a crew cab Kombi in 1969. "It's a funny thing with VWs like Beetles and Kombis; they get in your blood and never get out," Wright said. "I've thought about getting another but I've been told I can only have one." He bought the fully restored Kombi from world drag champion Peter Keegan of New South Wales for $15,000. The value to rebuild it would be about $35,000 to $40,000. "It has been lowered with wider wheels and the two-litre air-cooled engine has Watson 275 racing cams and twin 40mm Dellorto carbs to help it breathe and ride a little better. "Keegan wanted it to keep it largely in original condition and not go too overboard, although some people put Subaru engines in them and do a lot of modifications," Wright said. Visit: www.kombiclub.com Return of a hippy icon The iconic German bus is cool all over again KOMBI, the iconic hippie bus, is making a comeback. The Volkswagen bus is featuring in TV advertisements, movies and there is even a museum in Nimbin to the hallowed transporter. VW Magazine Australia editor Craig Hughes says the Kombi has never been as popular, particularly in the advertising industry. "There is big-time retro happening in advertising and the Kombi is at the pointy end," he said. Hughes drives a rare Kombi dual cab as his "daily driver". "Well, it used to be rare . . . seems like everyone wants one now." Kombis have been a pop-culture vehicle for many years, becoming synonymous in the US in the 1960 and '70s with counter-culture and a popular form of transport for Aussie surfies. In 1981, Australian band Men at Work mentioned "travelling in a fried-out Kombi" in their hit record Down Under and The Who's Magic Bus is said to be about a Kombi. Kombi history dates back to 1950 when the classic Type 1 van first broke cover in Wolfsburg, Germany, powered by the 19kW 1.3-litre air-cooled engine from the Beetle and later increased to 25kW in the Type 2 in 1959. The name is the shortened version of the German Kombinationskraftwagen, which means combined-use vehicle. In some markets it is spelt Combi. In 1968 the split window gave way to a single window and a 1.6-litre 35kW engine. By 1976, the Kombi came with a two-litre engine with a "massive" 52kW. From 1979, it became the Type 3 (T3) and the Kombi name was dropped in Australia. The modern Kombi Beach, introduced here earlier this year, is a far cry from the spartan old Kombis. It features 180-degree swivelling seats, height and reach adjustable leather steering wheel, airconditioning, heating, central locking, power windows and power mirrors. It also has a table with legs for indoor or outdoor use, outdoor chairs and a roll-away cloth bed for two. There are even curtains for privacy and shade. It is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine developing 96kW of power at 3500rpm and 340Nm of torque at 2000-2300rpm. It comes in six-speed manual or automatic with Porsche-style Tiptronic selectors and there is even a four-wheel-drive version. Top speed is in excess of the old 100mph (160km/h) mark. The Kombi Beach is priced from $54,990 for the TDI manual, $57,990 for the TDI automatic. Media mania * The split-window Kombi used in the Telstra Bigpond "I've Been Everywhere" ad has also been used by Yokohama; * A bay window Kombi is featured in a Hungry Jacks ad; * The Tasmanian Government has just finished a tourism campaign using an early split-window Kombi as its main focus; * TV show Blue Water High uses a red bay window Microbus; * A 1960s Kombi features heavily in the Toni Collette movie Little Miss Sunshine and there is a Kombi called Fillmore in the animated film Cars; * Oporto has completed a $100,000 Bay Window restoration for their giveaway promotion; and * Even new V8 Supercar champion Rick Kelly and his racing driver brother Todd are restoring a Kombi for their personal use.

Volkswagen is expanding its "niche" garage with the arrival of a lifestyle duo in the shape of the Kombi Beach and the Caddy Life. While both cars come off platforms from VW's commercial line – the T5 Multivan and the Golf-based Caddy – there is more than a touch of irony that the much larger Beach is a four-seater while the compact Caddy Life will take seven. "Caddy Life is a very practical car that we believe will appeal to quite a wide selection of buyers while the Kombi Beach is more about emotion," Volkswagen Group Australia managing director Jutta Dierks says. "I have quite high expectations for the Caddy Life as it is so practical and will suit a wide variety of functions. Kombi Beach is a little more specific in its appeal." In the case of the Kombi, the emotional twinges go back to the original microbus models of the late 1950s and '60s – cheap transport of choice for the waxheads and hippies of the freedom culture. With the stylish Microbus Concept, first unveiled at Detroit almost five years ago, so far to the back-burner that the gas has been turned off, Kombi Beach is about as near as any of the '60s free-stylers who have made good are going to get to a modern version of the car of their youth. As VW discovered with the New Beetle, the search for lost youth can stir up serious emotions and provide a reasonable profit stream, at least in the short term. What those in search of the good times of their youth discovered was that memories came at a price and Kombi Beach is no different. Starting at $54,990 for the six-speed manual and topping out at $58,990 for the manual 4Motion (AWD) model, the Beach is no bargain-basement buy. Most owners will likely add at least the 16-inch alloys ($1650) in place of the standard steel wheels and the side and curtain airbag package ($595) to supplement the standard twin airbags. Given that rear vision from the Kombi is severely restricted, the optional reverse parking sensors ($475) should be compulsory. The sole engine choice is a 96kW 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder diesel coupled to either the six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Anti-skid braking, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist and traction control are all standard. Stability control will be available as an option from next year. While the Kombi has plenty of clever touches throughout – heaps of rear space, full-sized double sleeping capability, a free-standing table tucked into the door, which also doubles as an in-car dining table, swivel front seats to utilise that dining table and storage solutions galore – there is also plenty of evidence of the fight to contain costs. Once you lose your place at the front, the experience is decidedly one of being in the cheap seats. The rear bench-seat (for two) is flat foam – like the bed it becomes – with no lateral support. Maintaining balance and poise is a full-time job on anything but flat, straight roads. Hard surfaces predominate. Both test cars sampled on the launch had rattles, which tracked back to fixing points on interior panels. Trim in general is fairly basic. There are mounting points on the roof for additional storage racks (up to 100kg) for a range of luggage or leisure items such as bikes, boards or canoes. However, take note that you had best have a step ladder or two in the car because those racks are a long way up. From the driver's seat, the Kombi Beach is competent and reasonably comfortable but doesn't set benchmarks. NVH isolation of the engine is not that good and every straining of the 2.5-litre diesel is transmitted to the cabin. Yet once up and running, the inline diesel is quite a companionable highway cruiser. Airconditioning is standard, as is a four-speaker sound system, a second maintenance-free battery and a pair of folding chairs for kicking back to watch the sunset. And if the Kombi Beach is a costly bid to recapture youth, the Caddy Life offers a bargain entree into the future. Small "people movers" have not traditionally set the world on fire. The very thought of cramming seven people into something acknowledged as small was never attractive. Add compromised drive dynamics and there wasn't a lot to like. Caddy Life has the potential to change that thinking. The car is not perfect, some way from it, in fact, with a third row of seats that cannot be folded out of the way but must be removed (ask a friend to help as the unit weighs in at over 50kg) if any pretence of luggage space is required. That same third row of seats would also be an uncomfortable squeeze – legroom only as head and shoulder space is adequate – for adult passengers. Those two gripes aside – and both could be tolerated for the benefits the car offers – the Caddy Life is one of the surprises of the year to date. With engine, gearbox and up to 40 per cent of the remainder of the car sourced from the Golf V, it is no surprise the Caddy Life is a lively character. Even sharing its leaf-spring rear end (albeit with one less leaf) with the light-commercial Caddy doesn't significantly diminish the drive enjoyment. What should really bring a smile to the face of anyone shopping for the Caddy Life is the pricing. The entry-level 75kW four-cylinder petrol with five-speed manual is $27,990. The far more desirable 77kW four-cylinder 1.9-litre TDI coupled to the same gearbox is $31,990 while that engine with a six-speed DSG gearbox is $34,990. Behind the wheel the Caddy Life gives a great impersonation of a Golf. It's not the same but a fairly good approximation. The instrument panel and comfort controls echo the Golf and the general feel of the tactile surfaces is quality. There are some cost cuts, including the fixed height on the B-Pillar seatbelt anchor points, no front mats and the use of a single CD sound system. On the plus side is an Aladdin's cave of storage bins, some obvious in doors and centre consoles, others hidden away beneath seats, floors or overhead in the front cabin. The special edition Caddy Life Camper ($39,990 for the 1.9-litre TDI manual) can even be converted into a comfortable sleep-in getaway van with tent annexe. VGA says "a couple of hundred" Caddy Life are on order to test the car's appeal in the Australian market. Based on just a few hours spent with the car, that seems very pessimistic.

Sales soared and Toyota went all the way with a chisel-nosed Tarago that was the class act of the field.Every big brand had some sort of people mover for drivers with more than four in the family. Some called them, unkindly, Catholic vans.But they were mostly just converted delivery vans with three rows of seats, built to a price and with little concern for safety, comfort or equipment. A head-on crash meant the driver's legs would be first on the scene.People movers have never really recovered from the backlash against those evil originals, and the rise and rise of four-wheel-drives has also made life tough.Some people just don't want to be seen in a boring, boxy people mover, even if the newest of the breed are morphing into crossover cars that do more with less.The latest Mitsubishi Grandis and the Honda Odyssey point to the future. They're shorter and smoother but still pack lots of positions and choices into the cabin.They could spark a revival, particularly if petrol prices put real pressure on hulking seven-seat four-wheel-drives, but the current sales figures don't suggest that will happen soon.Kia sold 461 of its class-leading Carnivals in July to take its year-to-date total to 3199, but that was nearly half the total number of people movers, only 8579 going on to Australian roads in the first seven months. In contrast, big sixes totalled 103,677.People movers still fill a role, particularly if you really need to carry a lot of people for more than a sprint to the shops.Most carry seven in reasonable comfort. Among the official people movers, only the Volkswagen Kombi is rated as a nine-seater. The pricey Toyota Tarago and VW Caravelle seat eight.Still, people movers have come a long way on safety, comfort, refinement and equipment, and the benchmark Honda Odyssey is set for a huge sales rise very soon.A PEOPLE mover is no longer a box on wheels, nor is it an embarrassment to its occupants.The new Ford Territory is hot, and happily carries seven people if fitted with the rear seat. A Holden Crewman combines work-and-play duties, and the Toyota Kluger is a seven-seat family van disguised as an all-wheel-drive.Families want a vehicle that sits between traditional passenger car and hulking bush basher, and carmakers are rushing to fill the void.In coming years we can expect a rush of crossover vehicles that will blur the lines between traditional market segments.The Territory is already doing the job of an old-fashioned Falcon, albeit one dressed up in a macho body with a high-rider seating position, a classy finish and plenty of equipment and versatility. Luggage space is tight with the third row of seats up, and access to those seats could be easier, but it is a winner with families.The Crewman, the Cross8 in particular, is aimed at part-time parents who want family wheels with a bit of excitement. The upright back seat isn't all that comfortable, but the person making the buying decision – and using a Crewman for work – will be sitting up front.1. Honda OdysseyLowdown: Attractive body and Honda quality boosted by a top-value price.Verdict: The smooth new Honda shows how people movers should be done.Plus: Refined, classy, good looking.Minus: Not a huge amount of space.Rating: 18/20THE newest member of the Honda family is more quality stuff from the company that gave us the pace-setting Accord Euro. It comes with only seven seats, but that's no real handicap because the 2.4-litre engine has 118kW of power and impressive response. Letdowns are suspension that thumps over bumps, child-seat anchor points in the ceiling block the rear view, and loss of the V6. But to cap the action and really rattle its rivals, prices open at $38,790 and the fully loaded luxury model is $45,290.2. Chrysler VoyagerLowdown: The incredible hulk of the people-mover class is the one to buy if you have a big family and equally large budget.Verdict: An American "minivan" that's great for heavyweight hauling.Plus: Roomy and versatile, with V6 power.Minus: Costly, and not the best right-hand-drive conversion.Rating: 17/20THE American carmaker says this is the Rolls-Royce of people movers. There's space for seven with innovative roll-out rear seats and armrests in the front. The 3.3-litre V6 is punchy, if a little thirsty. Also available in a long-wheelbase model and all-wheel-drive. Prices start at $53,490 (SE model), step up to $59,090 for the long-wheelbase machine and go all the way to $78,590 for the fully loaded four-wheel-drive.3. Holden ZafiraLowdown: The innovative Holden was developed in Europe for three-row family work and Opel's original has been smartly tweaked for Australian sales.Verdict: Not the biggest of the bunch, but a good drive for smaller families.Plus: A good drive with impressive quality.Minus: Poor space in the tail, second-row bench has to slide forward for access to back seats.Rating: 16/20THE Zafira is close in concept to the now-dead Mitsubishi Nimbus, with a compact body that has Tardis-style third-row seating. It has excellent suspension tuning and good punch from its 2.2-litre four. The price is pretty nice, too, at $32,890, and the TV commercial with a youngster sketching on a baby is one of our favourites.MITSUBISHI GRANDISRating: 16/20Price: $43,990Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinderSMOOTH lines, nicely built and well equipped, but hit hard when the Odyssey arrived. Definitely worth a look for those dollars.MAZDA MPVRating: 15/20Price: $50,665Engine: 3.0-litre V6THE multi-purpose vehicle has been left behind by the zoom-zoom models in the Mazda family. Quality is impressive and it drives nicely, but few people seem to want a Mazda people mover.TOYOTA AVENSISRating: 15/20Price: $43,100Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinderNICE to drive with good access for kids in back, but minimal luggage space with third row up. Too costly for what it is, and shows Toyota doesn't really care about people movers in 2004.TOYOTA TARAGORating: 15/20Price: from $52,460Engine: 2.4-litre fourTHE faded former champion. Still has a great name. Desperately needs a V6 engine to justify prices that go up to $72,620.VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLERating: 15/20Price: From $59,990Engine: 2.8-litre V6BOTH Volkswagens are in a run-out situation, with no turbodiesels left. The new turbodiesel T5 could be the pick for long-distance families.HYUNDAI TRAJETRating: 15/20Price: From $32,990Engine: 2.7-litre V6ONE of the newer models in the Hyundai family, and punchy with its V6 motivation. The price is good but it shapes as a big-box deal for people who are more worried about practicality than quality.VOLKSWAGEN KOMBIRating: 14/20Price: $39,990Engine: 2.5-litre four cylinderTHE Kombi has a great name and drives better than you'd expect, with austere but quality finishing. Not as flashy as some.KIA CARNIVALRating: 14/20Price: $29,990Engine: 2.5-litre V6THE easy sales leader but doing it on value. Is much like its Hyundai twin but with a little more equipment and a price that makes it a real winner.MERCEDES-BENZ VITOArriving early next yearPrice: TBAEngines: TBATHE Vito people mover will be available in two models, with the upmarket version getting leather seats and all the fruit. Worth a look.