Volkswagen Kombi's epic journey reaches end after 63 years

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Volkswagen Kombi's epic journey reaches end after 63 years... but buyers can snap up limited final edition of iconic van for £26,000

• Brazil is the last country still producing the iconic vehicle after it was introduced in Germany 63 years ago
• It will cease production due to new safety rules mandating every vehicle must have air bags and anti-lock braking

For 63 years, it has carried families of hippies, hauled surfers in search of killer waves and served as a workhorse across many developing countries.

But now, the Volkswagen Kombi's epic journey has finally reached the end of the road.

The iconic vehicle has succumbed to environmental legislation - meaning it will no longer be produced in Brazil, or anywhere else in the world.

 

Iconic: The Volkswagen Kombi's epic journey has finally reached the end of the road after 63 years of production. Above, a multi-coloured fleet of the beloved vehicles

Farewell gesture: The Kombi has succumbed to environmental legislation. However, Volkswagen is now offering a limited final version (pictured) to buyers and collectors

 

Final edition: About 1,200 'last edition' models are expected to be produced by the German manufacturer - each priced at an estimated $43,000 (£26,000)

 

Brazil is the only country still producing the beloved model, which was introduced in Germany in 1950.

However, it will cease production on December 20 due to new safety regulations coming into force next year - mandating that every vehicle in the country must have air bags and anti-lock braking.

Factory: Workers produce limited final editions of the Kombi in Volkwagen Brazil's factory in Sao Bernardo do Campo today

 

Production: Brazil is the only country still producing the beloved Kombi, which was introduced in Germany in 1950

 

End of an era: However, the country will cease production on December 20 due to new safety regulations coming into force next year - mandating that every vehicle in the country must have air bags and anti-lock braking. Above, workers test various elements of the final edition Kombi

 

People across the world are mourning the end of the Kombi - with some van lovers holding an exhibition in Sao Bernado do Campo, Brazil, yesterday to honour their beloved minubuses.

In total, more than 10million of the iconic vehicles have been produced throughout the world - with 1.5million having been made in Brazil since 1957.

The vans were called the Type 2, because they were the second type to be offered by car maker Volkswagen - the first being the Beetle.

Over the years, they have been dubbed a variety of things, including the minivan, microvan, hippie van, campervan and the 'bus'.

Hippie hooray: For 63 years, the iconic vehicle it has carried hippies, hauled surfers in search of killer waves and served as a workhorse in many developing countries

 

Popular: In total, more than 10million Kombis have been produced throughout the world - with 1.5million having been made in Brazil since 1957

 

Out with a bang: People across the world are mourning the end of the Kombi - with some van lovers holding an exhibition in Sao Bernado do Campo, Brazil, yesterday to honour their beloved minubuses

In Britain and the US during the 60s and 70s, partly because it was cheap, the Type 2 became linked with youth culture - with its advertising slogan 'not just a vehicle ... more a way of life'.

Fans of the machine said its mechanical failures only reinforced its charm and, because its engine was so simple, it was easy to fix, imparting a deeper sense of ownership.

 

It became popular that British enthusiasts still gather every year for the annual Volkswagen Festival near Leeds.

Celebrity fans of the iconic vehicle include actor Martin Clunes, who owns two campers – a rare black one with a bay windscreen, and a navy and white split-screen model dating from 1977.

Hippier times: The show was held in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, tocelebrate the last of the iconic Volkswagen Kombi minibuses to come off the assembly line

 

Early model: The vans were called the Type 2, because they were the second type to be offered by car maker Volkswagen, the first being the Beetle

 

Still young: In Britain and the US during the 60s and 70s, partly because it was cheap, the Type 2 became linked with youth culture

 

Nicknames: Over the years, the Kombi has been dubbed a variety of things, including the minivan, microvan, hippie van, campervan and 'bus'

 

Die hards: Die-hard British enthusiasts still gather every year for the annual VW Festival near Leeds

‘There’s something so self-contained about a camper,' he said. 'Driving one is like putting on a comfortable pair of old slippers.'

Formula 1 racing driver Jenson Button has also owned two – a red and white model from 1956 and a gold-coloured 1970 Volkswagen Kombi.

 

Jamie Oliver was less impressed. In 2005, he drove around Europe in a 1959 Samba version of the machine for the Channel 4 television series Jamie’s Great Escape.

'To be honest, it was a complete pain,' he said. 'It was towing a heavy trailer, so perhaps it’s not surprising that it broke down several times.’

Beyond useful: In poorer regions like Latin American and Africa, the vehicle has continued to be made long after production ended in the UK in 1967

 

Multi-purpose: In Brazil, the Kombi is used by the postal service to haul mail, by the army to transport soldiers, and by funeral directors to carry corpses

 

Lunch van: Brazilians also convert their vans into rolling food carts, setting up on street corners for working-class lunchtime crowds

 

Unsafe: Production in Germany was halted in 1979 because the van no longer met European safety requirements

In poorer regions like Latin American and Africa, the vehicle has continued to be made long after production ended in the UK in 1967.

 

In Brazil its uses are perhaps not as romantic– it is used by the postal service to haul mail, by the army to transport soldiers, and by funeral directors to carry corpses.

Brazilians also convert their vans into rolling food carts, setting up on street corners for working-class lunchtime crowds.

Famous fans: Celebrity fans of the iconic vehicle include actor Martin Clunes, Formula 1 racing driver Jenson Button and chef Jamie Oliver

 

Numerous attempts: Volkswagen unveiled a new version of the camper van at the 2011 Geneva Motor show, but it never went into production

 

Sink and mirrors: A man takes a photograph of the inside of a van Volkswagen Kombi minibus fitted with sink and mirror

 

Fans' favourite: Collector Marcos da Silva carries a miniature Volkswagen Kombi

Production in Germany was halted in 1979 because the Kombi no longer met European safety requirements.

Volkswagen unveiled a new version of the camper van at the 2011 Geneva Motor show, but it never went into production.

Damon Ristau, director of the documentary film ‘The Bus’ about van fanatics, said: ‘The van represents freedom. It has a magic and charm lacking in other vehicles. It’s about the open road, about bringing smiles to peoples’ faces when they see an old VW van rolling along.'

Lap of luxury: A boy plays with a tablet inside a Kombi which has been fitted with leather seats and a widescreen television

 

Taking a break: Visitors rest at yesterday's exhibition which showcased hundreds of the iconic minibuses

 

 

 

Long heritage: The first ever Volkswagen campervans were made in 1950

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2520659/VW-Kombis-epic-journey-reaches-end-63-years.html#ixzz2nDssL6LA

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[Karu]

Wonder if VW will come out with a modern version a la Beetle... Will be interesting.