A Kombi-nation for love
How one man’s labour of love blossomed into a thriving boutique firm
Two Kombis are proving a hit among Far North lovebirds as an audacious business motors from strength to strength. Clifton Beach man Jason Wynberg first saw a 1962 Kombi sitting idle in a neighbour’s garage, he knew it was a worthwhile restoration project. He later purchased another Kombi, which he drove from Sydney to Cairns. Now both vehicles operate as part of Mr Wynberg’s Kombis of Cairns, which he runs with his wife Rachael.
TWO charming Kombis are proving a hit among Far North lovebirds as an audacious business motors from strength to strength.
When Clifton Beach man Jason Wynberg first clapped eyes on a 1962 green and white Kombi sitting idle in a neighbour’s garage, he knew it was a worthwhile DIY restoration project in the making.
He bought the van and spent about 12 months bringing it up to scratch.
Then a few years later he purchased another Kombi, an immaculate red 1960 model, which he drove from Sydney to Cairns.
Now both vehicles operate alongside each other as part of Mr Wynberg’s boutique business, Kombis of Cairns, which he runs with his wife Rachael.
“We never intended to make it a business … but a lot of people were showing interest in using them for weddings and school formals,” he said.
“We set it up as a way of helping people celebrate, while also enjoying the cars.”
Mr Wynberg sold his advertising agency to focus on Kombis of Cairns, which services the region from Port Douglas to Mission Beach.
The 44-year-old said the green and red Kombis – named “Beautiful” and “The Charmer” – were worth from $75,000$100,000 each.
“It can be very hard to find ones that are of really good quality,” he said.
While weddings and school formals were the business’ mainstays – it worked about 60 weddings last year – Mr Wynberg said stylish trips to and from Cairns Airport and leisurely jaunts around the city were also well received.
“We had one customer recently who wanted to be taken out to dinner in the Kombi, so we cruised around and had a few laughs,” he said.
“For me, it’s not about the money – the business is as big as we’d like it to be – I just like seeing people have fun.”
He said the famous drive between Cairns and Port Douglas was his favourite Far North journey.
Over the next few weeks Mr Wynberg also hopes to mark the opening of a new “mobile bar”, a vintage Bondwood caravan that is being given a new lease on life.
The father-of-four said he was not an all-round car buff, but found something “attractive” about the retro-style Kombis.
WE SET IT UP AS A WAY OF HELPING PEOPLE CELEBRATE, WHILE ALSO ENJOYING THE CARS JASON WYNBERG