Has the magic Kombi bus lost its sparkle?

The beloved Kombi has many names…The T2, Transporter, Hippie Bus, Bongo bus, Beach bus, Minibus, Magic Bus—the list goes on!

Whatever you like to call it, the iconic van commonly known as the ‘Kombi’ has stood the test of time. And now it’s being embraced by a new wave of drivers.

Initially sketched out on a napkin in 1949 and designed as a utility vehicle by Dutchman Ben Pon, the Kombi was introduced by Volkswagen a year later as a new type of cargo and passenger van.

Volkswagen had no idea that this humble vehicle would go on to become a highly-sought after campervan of the flower children, let alone the ubiquitous bus to transport hippies to the beach and music festivals.

Even the likes of Jim Morrison and Bob Marley took a liking to the Kombi and could be seen hanging out the windows singing its praises.

The romance of the Kombi went unsurpassed and the passion spread across the globe like a wave of unconditional love. Fuel consumption was modest and the ecological benefits were advanced. The Kombi oozed character and seemed like a magic bus that let all your troubles dissipate.

Fast forward to today, where we have seen a bohemian revival of the legendary Kombi.  #Vanlife is rife and Millennials have been swept off their feet by these vintage vehicles. They’ve even leveraged Instagram to showcase their carefree #VanLife by posing next to their vehicles like proud parents of a lovechild.

Kombis have also been transformed into flourishing food trucks and businesses have made a mint hiring out vintage Kombis to give drivers a taste of  the hippy era.

To capitalise on this new interest in the Kombi, Volkswagen launched the seven-seat Multivan in 2017 as a tribute to the iconic van. This modern take on a classic has been designed to rekindle nostalgia with a new generation of drivers. Priced at $64,990 drive away, the Multivan includes a two-tone paint scheme with retro 18-inch alloys wheels and is available in a variety of colours ranging from ‘Deep Black’ to ‘Curcuma Yellow’.

Volkswagen Multivan

And then there’s the concept I.D. Buzz- a roomy electric minivan that echoes the design and ideology of the Kombi with futuristic technology and speed to boot. It’s got 150kW of charging power and an impressive augmented reality display on the steering wheel. It also happens to be Drive’s 2017 Concept Car of the Year and is due to arrive in Australia by 2022.

Volkswagen I.D. Buzz

Do these new model vehicles carry the same sense of freedom and bohemian charm as the original Kombi? We ask some life-long  Kombi fans.

Christopher Lee, Sydney

Chris thinks his passion for the Kombi most likely began in childhood with his Matchbox toy Kombi. The search to fulfil that childhood dream began 18 months ago.

“We purchased our first Kombi in mid-2018 and it arrived on Christmas Eve. I could not have wished for a better Christmas present- a 1961 VW T2 Split Window Kombi!” Christopher says.

Chris owns three other Kombi vehicles including a 1961 Kombi Split Window Camper that is almost finished being fully restored, and another two 23 Window Samba Deluxe vans-a 1963 & 1967 model.

He believes the new Multivan can’t reproduce the character and essence of the original model.

Chris went to the Wolfsburg and the VW factory—home of the original Kombi bus—noting how well-advanced Volkswagen is in their understanding and planning for the future of the automobile by tapping into the passion and the nostalgia surrounding the original.

“But in my view, the Kombi Multivan won’t have the worldwide appeal and passion that surrounds the original or the sales volumes that occurred during its production.”

As for the I.D. Buzz?  Chris thinks even though it is functional and price effective, it doesn’t pull on the heart strings.

“I’m sure it will serve its purpose as a transporter in the market. It certainly has the ‘green’ and technology credibility, but to be honest, it looks like a toy car out of a cartoon,” he bluntly says. “For me it’s all a bit ‘meh’.

Chris Lee’s 1961 Kombi

Brad Delahay, Sydney

Brad’s passion for Kombis started when he was 13 and spotted a senior student pull up in a brown Kombi van as he was lining up to go to class. He instantly fell in love and was inspired to look for his own model a few years later.

“I bought my very first Kombi when I was 16 years old. It was an orange 1977 camper. It was sitting in a paddock for sale for $3k and I just had to have it. I loved that van,” he says.

Brad now owns a 1978 white Kombi which he has kept in pristine shape.  He appreciates how the new Kombi Multivan and I.D. Buzz are trying to recreate the look of the Kombi.

“I think the Multivan is a great van and it’s big enough for camping or to use as a work van. The I.D. buzz looks pretty awesome, however I don’t think anything will ever be the same as the original.”

Brad Delahay’s 1978 Kombi

Joel Neff, Melbourne

Joel’s love of the Kombi stems from his childhood obsession with the Herbie movies.

He also came across a VW service manual in a second-hand bookstore that actually belonged to his Grandfather.

His ideal cars include a pre-70 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia or Type 34, but his height limited his options. So, a Kombi seemed the right fit!

“I purchased my Kombi in 2014 and she’d been named “Pearl” by her previous owner. She’s a 1970 lowlight Microbus with a tin top and home-made camper fit out,” he says.

Joel quite likes the I.D. Buzz for its modern technology but thinks it’s too contrived. And like the new Beetle, it wants to hit you in the nostalgia feels.

“I like the Multivan more than the I.D. Buzz. You can see the natural evolution over the generations. I wouldn’t say no to one. It would be nice to have some air conditioning and heating!”

Joel’s 1970 “Pearl”

Although the Volkswagen Multivan and I.D. Buzz aim to stir nostalgia and appeal to new markets, it seems nothing compares to the romance the original Kombi evokes in people.

The love of the vintage vehicle is simply enduring.