Found this great article on the web... Can't think of anything better that sums up the joys of owning a Kombi 🙂
http://neovox.cortland.edu/vox/vox_132/vox_132.html
Kombi Culture Lives On
Author: Kara Harris, Arts, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
The Kombi culture in Australia is still alive after 40 years because of the fun, freedom and new horizons the iconic vehicle has to offer.
The Kombi culture lives on through the camaraderie between drivers, who give a compulsory wave or peace sign when passing each other. For many owning a Kombi provides them with freedom; a symbol of the 1960s and 70s.
There are Volkswagen (VW) clubs throughout Australia which hold cruises, car shows and camping events. These events bring together Kombi enthusiasts to talk about the adventures they experience owning a Kombi.
There are many subcultures within the Kombi cult, including the surf set, hippies, backpackers, restorers, enthusiasts and regular mum and dad drivers. One thing remains the same, they all passionate about the vehicles they drive.
Gemma Colvin is a Kombi driver from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. She recently got her father reinvolved with Kombis.
“I love the warm feeling you get when you pass another Kombi and get a wave or a peace sign, you know the culture is still alive,” Ms Colvin said.
The ABC of Southern Queensland website reports that the Kombi was made popular in the 1960s by hippies, and today most of Australia's Kombis can be found in North Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
Backpackers form a big part of the Kombi culture. They find the Kombi has more character and appeal than a regular campervan – with the extra bonus of making instant friends when they meet other Kombi drivers along the way.
The Kombi culture not only exists in Australia, but extends all around the world to America, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Stephen Muller, Volkswagen Classic Club president and owner of 10 Kombis told The Age newspaper in Melbourne, Australia that he “has been asked to tart up several (Kombis) for the youth market, where their retro styling fetches up to $25,000”.
He says British and Japanese car enthusiasts are coming to Australia to buy the vans.
Most Kombis have been given personal touches with paint, curtains, accessories and interior decoration. Some owners will tell you the name of their Kombi and even their personality.
The Kombi was first introduced in 1950 and was designed by Ben Pon, a Dutch distributor for Volkswagen.
By 1961 the one millionth Kombi was produced, demonstrating its popularity.
Links and sources:
Popular vans not rusting in peace,The Age 2002.
A classic kombi,Herald Sun 2001.
DESIGNER: Kara Harris, Arts, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
fekkinell Wolfsburg Wizard
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