Jim Smith's classic Kombi the Wright stuff
By David Ellery
When British expatriate Jim Smith moved to Australia 14 years ago he couldn't leave his 1967 VW Kombi camper behind; after 12 years in his custody it was already a member of the family.
That bond has grown stronger than ever over the years and the 64-year-old public servant from Wright has no plans to part with his 47-year-old long term companion any time soon.
When he eventually falls off the twig the vehicle will probably be shipped back to the UK where his two daughters, who prompted the initial decision to buy it for 800 pounds in 1988, still live.
“But I’m planning to enjoy it for a lot longer yet,” Mr Smith said.
The happy couple, accompanied by Mr Smith’s partner Kristine Riethmiller, spent last weekend away at Burrinjuck Waters and travelled 1600km to Coffs Harbour and back in autumn.
A true “world car”, this example was built in Germany, converted into a camper in Essex, and began it’s working life in the south of France. It had only had two owners when Mr Smith bought it in 1988.
It had belonged to a friend who had a growing family.
“I realised it was only a matter of time before his youngest daughter would become to big to sleep in the space allotted to her,” he told Fairfax.
He made a pre-emptive offer to buy the vehicle when its owner finally needed to upgrade.
That day came and the rest, as they say in the classics, is history.
Mr Smith’s Kombi, a Type 2 Volkswagen according to the purists, will make an interesting counterpoint to the megabuck Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes-Benz’s and Audis that will take pride of place at the German Auto Fest to be held on the Patrick White Lawns adjacent to the National Library from 9am on Sunday, September 21.
He said Kombis were great levellers and that almost every time he parked somewhere people would come up and talk about one they had owned or known about.
German cars are not the only vehicles having a big day out on Sunday.
The Fiat Club of the ACT is holding its annual “concorso” at Telopea Park just around the lake near Manuka from 11am to 2pm.
A highlight of that event will be a 1914 model Fiat owned by a Canberra enthusiast which is celebrating its 100th birthday.
While modern Fiats are usually associated with frugality and economy, the cars of a century ago were fast powerful machines that rivalled Rolls-Royce and Mercedes and could be had with engines of up to 8.5 litres in capacity.
Mr Smith’s Kombi, like many of its siblings scattered around the globe, has her name.
She was christened “Miss October” many decades ago after appearing as that month’s calendar girl in the 1996 “Splitscreen Van Club” calendar which featured cars from Europe, perfidious Albion and the United States.
Ms Riethmiller, who also has German ancestry, is Miss October’s second biggest fan.
She told Fairfax her friends were constantly amazed at just how much she enjoyed getting away in it.
“At the start of autumn we jumped into it and drove 10 minutes to Cotter where we camped,” she said.
"I will admit that the first time I went away in it I did have a plan B; there was a motel room pre-booked just in case.”
In addition to providing decades of family fun and enjoyment Miss October has also proved to be a shrewd investment; outperforming many more expensive and allegedly more distinguished vehicles in the appreciation stakes.
She is currently insured for more than $40,000.
When British expatriate Jim Smith moved to Australia 14 years ago he couldn't leave his 1967 VW Kombi camper behind; after 12 years in his custody it was already a member of the family.
That bond has grown stronger than ever over the years and the 64-year-old public servant from Wright has no plans to part with his 47-year-old long term companion any time soon.
When he eventually falls off the twig the vehicle will probably be shipped back to the UK where his two daughters, who prompted the initial decision to buy it for 800 pounds in 1988, still live.
“But I’m planning to enjoy it for a lot longer yet,” Mr Smith said.
The happy couple, accompanied by Mr Smith’s partner Kristine Riethmiller, spent last weekend away at Burrinjuck Waters and travelled 1600km to Coffs Harbour and back in autumn.
A true “world car”, this example was built in Germany, converted into a camper in Essex, and began it’s working life in the south of France. It had only had two owners when Mr Smith bought it in 1988.
It had belonged to a friend who had a growing family.
“I realised it was only a matter of time before his youngest daughter would become to big to sleep in the space allotted to her,” he told Fairfax.
He made a pre-emptive offer to buy the vehicle when its owner finally needed to upgrade.
That day came and the rest, as they say in the classics, is history.
Mr Smith’s Kombi, a Type 2 Volkswagen according to the purists, will make an interesting counterpoint to the megabuck Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes-Benz’s and Audis that will take pride of place at the German Auto Fest to be held on the Patrick White Lawns adjacent to the National Library from 9am on Sunday, September 21.
He said Kombis were great levellers and that almost every time he parked somewhere people would come up and talk about one they had owned or known about.
German cars are not the only vehicles having a big day out on Sunday.
The Fiat Club of the ACT is holding its annual “concorso” at Telopea Park just around the lake near Manuka from 11am to 2pm.
A highlight of that event will be a 1914 model Fiat owned by a Canberra enthusiast which is celebrating its 100th birthday.
While modern Fiats are usually associated with frugality and economy, the cars of a century ago were fast powerful machines that rivalled Rolls-Royce and Mercedes and could be had with engines of up to 8.5 litres in capacity.
Mr Smith’s Kombi, like many of its siblings scattered around the globe, has her name.
She was christened “Miss October” many decades ago after appearing as that month’s calendar girl in the 1996 “Splitscreen Van Club” calendar which featured cars from Europe, perfidious Albion and the United States.
Ms Riethmiller, who also has German ancestry, is Miss October’s second biggest fan.
She told Fairfax her friends were constantly amazed at just how much she enjoyed getting away in it.
“At the start of autumn we jumped into it and drove 10 minutes to Cotter where we camped,” she said.
"I will admit that the first time I went away in it I did have a plan B; there was a motel room pre-booked just in case.”
In addition to providing decades of family fun and enjoyment Miss October has also proved to be a shrewd investment; outperforming many more expensive and allegedly more distinguished vehicles in the appreciation stakes.
She is currently insured for more than $40,000.