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Date:         Sun, 13 Sep 1998 12:27:19 -0700
Reply-To:     Malcolm Holser <mholser@ADOBE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Malcolm Holser <mholser@ADOBE.COM>
Subject:      Re: FS: 81L and 85 Kombi(s)
Comments: To: Tyrone Greene <macpine@EARTHLINK.NET>, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
In-Reply-To:  <35FBF6D2.7E6A@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>81L Kombi - Pail or cream yellow outside w/brown interior; Body: only >has a few dings and minimal seam rust; Engine and Trans: runs well and >shifts smoothly [though engine can use a tune-up]; Tires: Cooper >Discoverer 27x8.50x14LT and are in great shape; Milage: 161,939; VIN: >WV2YA0257BH115855. NOTE: This was a Califonia model. Extras: Some. >Price: $1500. OBO

There were no Kombis ever sold in California (actually none sold in the US) and the VIN shows this is the passenger model. Kombis will have an "X" where the "Y" is here. I'm not certain, but I think that "U" is a singlecab, "V" is a doublecab, "W" is a panel, "X" is a Kombi, "Y" is a passenger van and "Z" is the camper version. I have only an "X", "Y" and "V", as my camper is an '80 before this convention started. Yes, I have a Kombi, and no it is *not* a passenger van (nor a US model).

> > >85 Kombi - Dark brown with matching interior; Body: no dings but has >seam rust; Engine and Trans: runs well and shifts smoothly [though >engine can use bottom-end work]; Battery: New; Tires: Yokahama Super Van >356 185R14 6PRLT and are in great shape; Milage: 141,493; VIN: >WV2YB0253FH088348. Price: $2000. OBO

Same thing, Kombi's were not imported to the US. In Oz, they generically call all VW buses "kombis", but VW will tell you that there is a specific model called this -- one of the commercial Transporter line -- basically a panel van with windows. On mine, all the side glass is fixed -- no sliding windows. There is headliner only over the two front seats. There are no rear seats. The engine lid is steel, unlike the passenger vans that have an insulated plastic lid (my is an '86 Syncro). There are masonite panels on the interior walls. Mine has only two options -- Syncro and opening vent windows up front. These things go from *very* basic to almost-up-to-passenger specs. Mine is the former. There is no provision for a rear heater, either (no seat to put it under) so the heater looks like the early diesel ones -- a raised duct between the front seats sends some trivial warmth to the rear cargo area.

In the past, Kombis were the base unit that was converted to a camper, but by the time of the T3/Vanagon, a special "camper base" was offered, and the Kombi model became increasingly rare. Like all commercial Transporters, Kombis were dropped from the US line up fairly early, as they got hit by import duties. For the "split window" (T1) era, Kombis are pretty common, although most have been modified by now. You can tell a kombi because it has only three windows behind the fron doors.

Kombis are "combination" cargo and passenger vehicles. I gather that many places do not allow passengers in enclosed vans, so Kombis have windows in case you want to add seats and carry some.

Malcolm 1980 Westy 1986 Vanagon GL 1986 Transporter Kombi Syncro 1986 Transporter Doublecab Syncro

also: 1982 Vanagon L 1983? Diesel Westy 1978 Bus

>Any questions?, drop me a line or call. > >Tyrone >Big Pine Key, FL >macpine@earthlink.net or 305-872-1588 > >87 GL Syncro >85 Kombi - 4 SALE >81 L Kombi - 4 SALE >85 Westy - waiting to be bought! >


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