Back in the day — at the end of their overseas experience — boomers generally ended up in London where they sold their van to someone from the next wave of Kiwis.
If they got a few hundred quid back that was a good result.
But imagine, if they had hung on to their Kombi for half a century or so.
What would it have been worth?
Paul Wood, of Queenstown, believes he has the answer.
And, he seems to be right.
Other Kombis listed for sale include: a 1964 model for $140,000, and a 1973 model for $99,000.
Admittedly, there is a rough-looking 1956 Kombi with "999,999km" on the clock available for a mere $45,000.
An Australian collector once paid a record $202,000 for a 1960 model Kombi.
Asked why old Kombis were valued so highly, Mr Wood said they were very rare.
"The price of them is crazy, but they don’t make them," he said.
"If you want a good one, you’ve got to pay the price."
Mr Wood bought his in England and travelled in it with wife Rachel for six months around the United Kingdom before bringing it to New Zealand at the end of 2022. It had been renovated inside and drove well, although he admitted it was no speed merchant.
He did not take it to Europe as it was too slow on the motorways there.
It had been fully restored by the previous owner in the United Kingdown, who even added disc brakes.
"It actually drives very nice for an old car but it’s not my Audi that I drive on a daily basis."
In 1966, a new VW Kombi could be bought for about $3000 ($72,000 in today’s money).
