Volkswagen’s humble Kombi is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
The concept for the Type 2, the model that followed Beetle, is credited to Dutch importer Ben Pon.
Intending to purchase Beetles for import to the Netherlands, on a visit to Wolfsburg in 1946, Pon spotted an improvised parts-mover and realised the the Type 1 floor pan could be used for other purposes.
He first sketched the van in a doodle dated April 23, 1947, proposing a payload of 690kg and placing the driver at the very front.
The Volkswagen Type 2 was introduced in 1949 and rapidly established itself as one of the most versatile and popular commercial vehicles ever made.
The first examples were seen in Australia in 1953 and were assembled at VW’s Clayton plant in Melbourne from 1954.
Once the preserve of hippies looking for cheap, live-in transport, early Kombis have attracted a cult following around the world, with top examples routinely fetching six figure sums overseas in recent years.
To celebrate 70 years since its conception, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has put together a contemporary take on the wagon.
The Multivan ‘Kombi 70’ is based on the Multivan TDI340 Comfortline DSG.
It features two-tone paint and the following bespoke touches:
- 18″ retro-style ‘Disc’ alloy wheels
- Wood-effect flooring
- Good Night package (featuring fabric blinds, Multiflex board bed extension, washable bed cover, rechargeable mini flashlight and three drawers underneath the 3-seater bench seat
- Alcantara upholstery trim
- LED headlights with LED DRLs
- Electric power sliding doors with power latching.
The Multivan ‘Kombi 70’ goes on sale next month.
Only 120 examples will be available priced from $64,990 drive away.