The production of the Volkswagen Kombi will stop at the end of next year because of new safety legislation being introduced in Brazil, the only country in which it is still produced.
Volkswagen-trained mechanic Ken Berry, from Mornington, said the new legislation would require the installation of anti-lock brakes and front airbags.
The safety features would require major structural changes so keeping the design of the original Kombi would not be possible, he said.
Kombis were built in Germany from 1949 to 1979, but production had since continued in Brazil, he said.
He had owned six Kombi vans, he said.
The versatile space in the back made the van the choice of hippies, campers and tradesmen, he said.
The two rows of seats in the back could be taken out for a work vehicle, or it could become a camper with a pop-top roof, cooker and beds, he said.
"It's all a bit cramped, of course. You've got to know the people you're camping with."
The Kombi transported many New Zealanders living in London around Europe, he said.
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