Giving new life to old classics
A visit to New South Wales’ Southern Highland region gives Alan Teh Leam Seng the opportunity to meet up with a vintage Volkswagen enthusiast and learn what makes the Kombi so alluring
“KOMBI Capers at your service,“announces Tim Pollard as he jumps out of his newly-restored red and white Volkswagen van. While managing to return his greetings with the weakest of smiles, I struggle to get over the initial surprise of having one of the most recognisable vintage vehicles in the world as my ride for the afternoon.
Since its introduction in the early 1950s, the iconic VW Kombi - otherwise known as the Bus, Transporter, Microbus or Camper - has stolen the hearts and minds of countless outdoor enthusiasts around the world, including myself.
Apart from growing up watching Scooby Doo and his human gang travel to various places to solve unexplained occurrences in their stunning green and yellow Mystery Machine, the well-kept Transporter right in front of me is the closest I‘ve ever been to an actual VW Kombi. I spend the next few minutes slowly walking around the Kombi, admiring every single part from the shiny badge emblem all the way to the original mud flaps while Pollard looks on with amusement in his eyes.
His demeanour reinforces the fact that his Kombi has never failed to attract admirers and curious onlookers everywhere it goes.
CULT STATUS
The popularity of the VW Kombi stems from the multitude of updates and revisions that it has enjoyed over the years.
Furthermore, its charming good looks and durability have helped it achieve an almost cult-like status. It’s little wonder that even Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys couldn’t resist featuring it on the cover of their albums.
Soon the moment arrives for me to step inside. The gaping door gives me a good view of the interior and, just like the external section, it’s very well maintained and spotless.
Getting inside is like taking a step back in time. After all, the Kombi and its numerous utilitarian features have become synonymous with the carefree decades of the 1960s and 1970s.
Enjoying the firm yet comfortable cushion seat, it’s not difficult for me to imagine hippies and surfers alike pursuing the endless summer by zipping down highways and coastal roads with surf boards, musical equipment and various other precious loads inside and fastened securely to the roof.
I guess it’s this sense of nostalgia that has fanned the desire of fans and hobbyists from all corners of the globe to dedicate their lives to keeping these classic vehicles roadworthy as well as customise them to the nines, turning them into the ultimate outdoor machines.
TOURING MITTAGONG
It‘s such a pleasure to hear the engine purr effortlessly when Pollard finally hits the road to start my tour of Mittagong, a strategically located town which acts as the gateway to New South Wales‘ Southern Highlands.
Nothing can be better than to peer through the numerous side windows and enjoy the scenic views from my vantage point.
During the journey, our conversation
inevitably drifts to Pollard’s fascination with the Kombi.
Pollard was born in 1974 at the small Papua New Guinean town of Madang. At that time, his father was working as an accountant for the Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac Banking Corporation) branch in the Southwestern Pacific island.
“Growing up in Papua New Guinea exposed me to the diverse Oceanic cultures and that significantly made an impact on me. Even until today, Papua New Guinea, which was Australian administered when my entire family was there, is considered one of the world‘s least explored, both culturally as well as geographically,” quips Pollard as he banks the Kombi left and into the road that leads straight into town.
A few minutes pass in silence as he negotiates a busy stretch. It’s nearly time for school dismissal and traffic slows down significantly to adhere to the stipulated speed limits. The backup is further exacerbated by roadworks near a junction.
CHANGING OCCUPATIONS
Pollard resumes his tale as soon as the traffic becomes significantly lighter.
“We left Papua New Guinea in 1995 after my father was posted back to Australia. At 21, I took up a teaching position at a primary school in New South Wales North. But that only lasted four years.”
In 1999, Pollard’s life took a different turn when he joined the New South Wales Police Force. A year later, he signed up for a part time helicopter pilot course while still maintaining his full-time job. After completing the required flight time during his days off, Pollard received his coveted aviation licence.
The story comes to an abrupt pause when we make a brief stop at Centennial Vineyards which is located at the end of the road that shares the same name.
While enjoying several special releases made with the year’s extraordinary grape harvest, I can’t help but marvel at Pollard’s achievements and cannot wait to learn how the untold portion of his story would eventually relate to his interest in the VW Kombi.
ANOTHER KOMBI
My eyes nearly pop out the moment I step out on the driveway. There, waiting for me is a beaming Pollard with a completely different Kombi.
This apple green and white variant comes complete with a retractable roof, stove, washing machine and two adultsized beds and a cot.
“Considering your interest in these classics, I made a quick detour home to get this newly refurbished one which my family will be using when we head off to the Gold Coast next week. You’re very fortunate to get a sneak preview,” adds the father of two before proceeding to usher me inside so that we can continue the journey.
Along the way, Pollard confides of his deep interest in conservation and nature which started while he was growing up in Papua New Guinea.
“I participated in numerous school excursions and was impressed by the wide diversity of the tropical flora and fauna there. Some parts of the island are so remote that, until today, scientists believe there are still many rare and unknown species waiting to be discovered.”
The opportunity to work with animals presented itself to Pollard when he came across an ABC News report in December 2006 concerning a forest temple in Thailand that served as a sanctuary for wild animals.
The report, which contained interviews of both Thai and Western employees who claimed that the animals were well-treated, fuelled his interest further.
With his mind fixed on going abroad, Pollard eventually resigned from the police force in 1999 and made his way to Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Yanasampanno in Thailand‘s Kanchanaburi province.
“Despite being the only Australian at the sanctuary, I made many friends with the volunteers who came from different parts of the world. Unfortunately though, the secretive atmosphere around the place soon made me feel unsettled. I knew something was wrong but just couldn’t put my finger on it. So I decided to leave in 2012,” he recalls.
Before pulling up into the Gumnut Patisserie parking space, Pollard explains: “I feel vindicated today as the authorities closed the temple four years after I left. Despite that, I still have fond memories of the temple as that was where I met my Finnish wife-to-be. Just before leaving the Southeast Asian country, we visited several night markets and the Kombi was used as food trucks. That was the moment we fell in love with its shape, versatility and everything else!”
While tucking into Gumnut’s delicious spread of award-winning baked treats, I discover that Pollard got his first Kombi just after returning from Thailand.
“As vintage vehicles of this type are very difficult to find in Australia, I passed the word around to my friends abroad about my intention to acquire one. In less than a month, an acquaintance in Mexico informed me that there one was up for auction by the government after it was confiscated during a drug raid,” says Pollard before admitting that he bought the 1961 split screen for an equivalent of A$10,000 (RM30,050).
GOOD INVESTMENTS
Over the past five years, Pollard has increased his collection and is now a proud owner of a sizeable fleet. Regarding valuations, he admits that prices have increased considerably as the Kombi is now consideredtheunofficialmascotandcatalyst for the popular #vanlife movement on Instagram.
“Prices for well-kept and customised Kombis now range between A$30,000 and A$130,000 with a fully-restored model even selling for an alleged record-breaking A$202,000 in Melbourne some three years ago,” adds Pollard.
To support his family and finance his ever-growing passion, Pollard did farm work in Mittagong for an Australian businessman and philanthropist upon his return from Thailand in 2012.
Despite the fact that his employer passed away suddenly in 2014, Pollard continues to manage the estate and is still employed by the foundation set up by the philanthropist’s beneficiaries.
In an unprecedented move, Pollard decides to extend my tour and drives me to his workshop and private garage located on the opposite side of town. My heart skips a beat the moment he flips open the gate to reveal a bevy of gleaming vintage VWs.
During our walkabout, Pollard says that those Volkswagens which have been equipped with modern coffee-making machines and stoves are available for hire on a weekly basis while the rest are still work in progress.
Despite already having quite a large number in his collection, Pollard admits that he’s still on the look-out for more and will not hesitate to consider offers of sale even if the vehicles are abroad.
“I’m not really particular about the condition. As long as the price is right, I’ll make the necessary arrangements to bring them back to Australia and restore these beautiful machines back to their former glory,” he shares.
Just before leaving, our conversation skews towards the future. Pollard informs me that the VW company recently announced their intention to produce an all-new, all-electric remake of the Kombi camper van. Called the Volkswagen ID Buzz, this technologically-advanced version is set to take to the road by 2022.
“The future certainly does look groovy but the new introduction can never replace the feeling one gets at the steering wheel of a classic Kombi. That, my friend, is totally irreplaceable,” concludes Pollard with finality as he drops me off at my hotel and bids me farewell.
For details, contact Kombi Capers at +61 4171 31502.