Matt Gardner

I have always loved Beetles. It all started with Mum and Dad showing me a little film called the Love Bug when I was 18 months old.

As I grew older the love never died. It just developed to a love of beetles and eventually all air cooled VWs. I even used to follow one of my high school teachers around the halls just to talk about his Kombi and beetle.

I left school early to became a mechanic and joined the Volkswagen club of Victoria (Australia’s oldest VW club) as soon as I could. I was so obsessed with VWs I even talked a club member into giving me a job at his VW workshop.

I was given my first beetle at about 12-13 years of age. A family friend knew of my obsession and gave me a beetle. It was a 58 model that he had purchased as parts car for his 59, more on his car later.

My first driving car was a 64 Aussie built beetle that I purchased off that school teacher that I used to follow between classes.

One night after a club meeting a club member tried to sell me on the virtues of Kombis. In particular split screen Kombis. I wasn’t convinced until he handed me the keys to the newly restored 65 Bus .(that same bus was used to get my groomsmen and I to my wedding). 2 minutes driving and I was hooked. I’m sure I’ve got an addictive personality when it comes to air cooled Vee Dubs!

Unfortunately for me early kombis decided to jump in price right when I decided to enter the market. I just couldn’t find the right Kombi, at the right price.

Working at Volkscare in the early 2000’s however, did mean I got lots of experience and exposure to the later, post ‘68 “Baywindow” buses. This together with my bosses enthusiasm for Bays meant I developed a real soft spot for these later buses.

Life, a lack of funds and a career change (to my other great love, the railways) ment the search for a Kombi was placed on hold. But not for long. I needed a Kombi in my life.

I had all but given up on my search for an early Split screen Kombi. I just couldn’t afford one. Not sure I ever will. I could however afford a good bay-window.

After over six months of searching I found a very original microbus. On first inspection I was utterly amazed at the condition of the bus. Particularly the interior.

Further discussion revealed the bus was owned by the original owners daughter. It had been Purchased by its original owner on the 15th of March 1976 from Leo motors in Ferntree Gully.

I had to make an offer then and there. The owner then went on to ask me what my plans were IF I bought the bus.

After reassuring the daughter that the bus would be preserved, driven and loved the bus was mine.

About a year after the microbus I was offered a family friends 59. Yep you guessed it. The car my first ever beetle supplied parts too. There is a long story about this car too. It’s involves the purchase, subsequent restoration, swapping a second bay for a respray and a massive road trip to Fraser Island. A round trip of some 2,400 miles.

Whilst I made the decision to give up most VW people’s dream job, I’ve never once lost my love of everything air cooled. I’ve even dabbled in Mk1 Golf’s. (Rabbit) Including racing in an all VW drag racing event in a mk1 golf that I converted from manual to auto.

I have three boys who all love riding in our classic cars. (My wife owns an old Holden Commodore, an Aussie icon) I hope that they will continue too as they grow so I can enjoy this great hobby with them.

Cheers

Matt