Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:48 pm Post subject: What Kombi do I buy?
My (Perth based)daughter nearly 11 has her heart set on a Kombi - we're setting out on the adventure today! The way I figure it, we have about 5 or 6 years to identify, buy and restore a Kombi. We'll start here, learn a bit and sometime soon, we'll buy a Kombi....any tips, or best places to search ? I know Kombis are highly sought after, so how do we make sure we achieve the dream? All advice welcomed!
Good luck and enjoy the journey, you should have found a good one by the time she gets her learners! _________________ Di
Kombi Karma - you know it makes sense
www.klaus1.bigblog.com.au
76 8 seater poptop, resto'd in a fashion
Welcome to KK- you will get plenty of advice and help on here- there are lots of photos in the gallery and elsewhere on forum to give you ideas.
Also the How I Did It forum has many good tips
Firstly, start saving your pennies..
If you are handy around a workshop a solid straight Kombi with minimal rust, check the windows around the rubbers and the bottom of doors (all of them). Parts and replacements bits are available locally, nationally and Internationally (although international takes some effort).
Get all the advice you can, kombi forums are really helpful.
Time is the one thing you will need lots of.
The big decision is what do you want.. split screen, bay, wedge all have there own appeal. Panel, Ute, Dual cab, Bus or Camper.
If you don't have time, you will need money to find one already done..
Most important.. don't drive it !!!!.. or your daughter will have to fight you for the keys when she gets her license.
It's not a car it's a lifestyle.
The country looks a lot better from the windows of a Kombi..
Big Bear _________________ The Dream is alive
1978 DC - all done -- by someone else
1976 Microbus - work to do
1967 Split Panel - New kid on the block
Along with all the advice above I would look for a Baywindow 68-71. These will gain in value more so then 72-79 which i think is important incase your daughter changes her mind and later wants a smaller car etc. Getting hard to find but you have plenty of time. Pop tops are good for young crew as they are great to camp in reducing the temptation to drive home after a party.
Note the position of the indicators to identify a 68-71, this hippy bus is a 71 (indicators either side of the teeth, lens missing). Low front and large back lights are a changeover model 1972, some parts are 72 only which will make them harder to find in the future.
But in the end a good bus is a good bus no matter what year, this is just my opinion. I have 77 and love it!!!!
Hi, this is a lil scary but my 12 and 10 yr old girls wants a kombi too! We have Bessie now and the kids love her to bits! I am at the moment looking for a couple more kombis myself to keep til they're ready to drive!
Finding a kombi is a mystery.. i read somewhere in forums that the Kombi will find you. As regards to what to get and what condition, that will depend on your budget!
My budget was about $5k and after looking thru about a dozen of them, you'll quickly realize what you can get for what $$! So, the key is call up ads and inspect the van 1st hand! Getting a prestine kombi at low budget is rarer than hen's teeth! So i think a van with minimal rust, straight body and good mechanical condition will set you off on your adventures!!
Hope you'll find something that will bring lots of joy!!
Cheers
rob
thanks guys for all the advice - we got very close to a purchase this weekend. Looked at a 73 that had isssues getting into second gear, very touchy brakes (they were either off or ON!!!!!!!), and an engine which sounds great but was covered in oil and a side door which only opens when kicked from the inside!!! Perhaps they're all this bad??
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