modulus wrote:1. Some tyre manufacturers, especially in the US, used to manufacture tyres with whitewalls. The whitewalls were not always particularly white, some times almost gum-rubber colour. I doubt that any tyre manufacturer is still doing this, especially as the manufacturing technique is unsuited to radial-ply tyres, which have been in use since computers were converted from steam power.
Whitewall tyres are definitely still available new, although they are now only produced as 'vintage' tyres for special collector vehicles. You can get whitewalls in radial as well as crossply, in addition to a whole range of other old tyre patterns which have now been discontinued from regular production, such as red-wall Dunlop Aquajets, the classic Michelin XZXs and so forth, all made in limited-run batches for enthusiasts to complete the look of their classic car restoration down to the last detail. As you might have already guessed, this means quite a large price premium over regular tyres.
An example of a whitewall tyre that might suit a Kombi would be the Coker Classic Radial in 165R15" with a 2 1/4" whitewall, seen here:
http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/node/305
Be aware that whitewall tyres may cost in excess of double the price of regular tyres. The whitewall "flappers" are a much more affordable option, as a full set of them costs less than one whitewall tyre, and they can be re-used when you need to get new tyres.