Well, whaddaya know. That's a video I shot at Old Bar, Milo. I remember that day well. Lots of great old Kombis. Some of the owners I spoke to told me parts are no problem. Old style Kombis were still being manufactured in Mexico and Brazil until recently (not sure if they still are), and there are companies that actually make many parts including rubber mouldings. I had a '73 with the one-piece screen, pop top for 8 years and had a ball in it (metaphorically speaking). It was a 1600 and underpowered, but it was fun. I remember driving into a headwind downhill and flat out at 40kph hehe. But the dam thing flew on the way back with the wind behind me. On another trip, I was climbing Mt Ousley and my mate woke from a snooze, looked out the window and said, "I've never been at flower-picking speed before." You can't drive past another Kombi without the other driver waving. No probs with reliability.
I presume the later 1800 twin carbs and 2 liter engines run on unleaded. You'd need to check. Yep, some are available in auto but I'd suggest they'd be pretty slow. Most I've seen are manual. Only the later water-cooled models are 5-speed. But like all collectables, the older Kombis all done up to the nines are worth a fortune. You'd need to be a serious fan to pay that kinda dough... either that or willing to do one up yourself. One bloke I spoke to at the meet taught himself welding to do his up... a lovely old '60s split screen. It was gorgeous. Did I mention I have one? Yep... blue bottom, white top, windows along the side. It's sitting on my mantle shelf.
hi Milo, I drive a 1976 Kombi every day, very reliable (once we got over the initial hicups when we first got it 8 years ago) it is serviced regularly and its got aircon, from new!!! And it automatic! I don't use the aircon very much as I find with the shape of the vehicle it stays quite cool just with the window down. Wouldn't sell it ever!!!