I like my modern automotive amenities. Humanity has developed the motor car over the past 100 years, perfecting the formula for what makes a car properly daily-able.
Which is why classic cars have never really made sense to me. They are slow, unrefined and you’d have to put up with a lot of compromises. And for what? Just because they look slightly prettier (again, debatable) than their modern counterparts?
I want screens in my car, and I want it to be kitted out with all the gizmos, gadgets and possibly even the odd gimmick or two that automakers like to bundle their modern offerings with now. Ice cold air-conditioning, reliability and modern creature comforts are all things I’d rather not live without.
But is there an appeal to a throwback approach to motoring that I’m missing out on?Afterall, it’s clear I don’t own a pair of rose-tinted glasses. Can a non-sucker for nostalgia really enjoy his day out with a classic Volkswagen Kombi?
A Surprisingly Revelation
This experience has given me a better understanding of the classic car enthusiast. In the pursuit of modern day power and refinement, many sensations that you’d experience in older cars have been lost.
What’s more, modern cars tend to not age as well as these classics, a result of designers caving in to the fussy styling that many car buyers seem to like these days. Designs such as the Kombi have withstood the test of time simply because the overall styling has been kept simple.
And it is actually practical, even for today too. On the inside, space overall is excellent. No wonder this vehicle was popular with the surfer types in California back in its heyday. Shockingly, there’s also enough pep in the Kombi. I would hesitate to say it is comfortable keeping up with modern traffic, but it really isn’t too far off.
Rather shockingly for me, was how it dealt with undulations in the road. I expected the archaic suspension, itself being a massive upgrade from the swing axle setup in the original Kombi, to rear its ugly head. However, it manages to soak up most of the imperfections on our drive. It didn’t feel all that stable, but I wasn’t unnecessarily jolted about in the cabin.
More About This Kombi
This example was an original Singapore-delivered Kombi, and still retains a black plate from the late 1970s. The owner has gone to great lengths in ensuring the car remains as original as possible, utilising only OEM parts to refurbish it where necessary. Non-original parts are only swapped in for reliability’s sake (the car has a modern, Mitsubishi-derived alternator).
Hardcore VW purists would not even sully the car with air-conditioning, choosing to tough it out in Singapore’s harsh climate. But this owner wanted to maximise this Kombi’s day-to-day usability, so an aftermarket air-conditioning system has been fitted to this vehicle.
Otherwise, the vehicle is generally in original condition, and has been properly cared for over the past half a century’s worth of commuting.
Still Not a Convert
It’s surprising what an open-mind can expose you to. But alas, I’m still no classic car convert. In the case of this Kombi, the commute is the real highlight. You aren’t compelled to unnecessarily push the car by driving it on the fast(er) lanes.
You sit back, cruise, and bask in the simplicity offered by the 70s.
Without massive distracting screens, you are not compelled to constantly check your mobile phone. And you are also unable to toggle through various complex sub-menus that you’d find in a modern day vehicle.
A classic car allows you to temporarily disconnect from the fast-paced hustle culture that we find ourselves in, reminding you about the little things in life that matter. I understand why classic car fans enjoy the motoring experience of yesteryear now.
But I’m not a convert. I want my big screens, my creature comforts and the ridiculously overpowered modern-day cars. I want vicious acceleration, ventilated seats and handling that’d properly wake you up should you decide to drive like a hoon.
And these are just some of the things a classic car can never do.
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