Old Bar Festival Kombi/Transporter World Record Attempt

[silvershadow]

Each NSW October long weekend, there is an attempt by the organisers of the Old Bar Beach Festival to set a world record for the largest gathering of VW Kombi/Transporters and derivatives. Old Bar is on the Mid-North Coast of NSW on the delta of the Manning River east of Taree. The genesis of this event is the long-standing relationship between itinerant surfers visiting Old Bar Beach and the use of Kombi vans as their transport and accommodation.

The largest number achieved so far is 207 with the greatest distance travelled held by a participant from Western Australia. More details are on the following links:

Festival Home Page: http://www.oldbarbeachfestival.com.au/index.html

Kombi Information: http://www.oldbarbeachfestival.com.au/kombi_index.html

I must make the following vested interest declaration - I am a resident of Old Bar. I hope you can come and participate in the Festival.

[rob64981]

there is an attempt by the organisers of the Old Bar Beach Festival to set a world record for the largest gathering of VW Kombi/Transporters and derivatives.
The largest number achieved so far is 207

I wish you all the best and hope we can make it one day.

To smash the world record you have to go some!

Have you ever heard of Van fest in the UK?

Here is a link http://www.vanfest.org/

Over 8000 vans last year!!

I have been a few times but its now getting too big.
You find it hard to find your mates.

Rob

[Tombi]

Would be lots of fun going to this event.
Unfortunately I cant make it this year, but is definetly on my "to do" list.


Tombi

[silvershadow]

I wish you all the best and hope we can make it one day.

To smash the world record you have to go some!

Have you ever heard of Van fest in the UK?

Here is a link http://www.vanfest.org/

Over 8000 vans last year!!

I have been a few times but its now getting too big.
You find it hard to find your mates.

Rob

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the link and will pass it on to the festival organisers for their interest.

Realistically, we do not have a chance of breaking the world record for absolute numbers given the small size of the Australian market compared to the UK and Europe before we even consider the "tyranny of distance" factor in getting the survivors in one place at one time. HOWEVER, if the record can be judged on greatest % of survivors against the number of vehicles originally delivered and registered in a single country, we might have a chance of gaining some recognition.

The main point is that the gathering each year of Kombi/Transporter enthusiasts is a great social occasion to get to know other owners and share information/experiences/availability of parts and technical know-how. The main part of the group stay in the local caravan park and have a get-together on the Saturday night - the Kombi/Transporter display area on Sunday is just across the airfield from the caravan park [a useful piece of trivia, the caravan park has gated access across a public road which allows aircraft owners to fly into Old Bar and taxi their aircraft into the caravan park for overnight stays].

Will post some photos later this week from past years for your interest.

[Transporter]

Go Kombi's!

[melissa]

I have been to this event the last 3 years - last year I was only able to take 2 vehicles as my hubby had to work. I won a trophy for the best T3
The year before we took our 3 up and if my hubby is not working this year we will have 3 there again.








Last year...

[silvershadow]

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for the photos - great to know you have won a prize as well.

Have a safe trip here and enjoy your stay.

I seek the indulgence of members for the following images of air rather than water-cooled Kombis.

What I can afford



What I would like to own



A classic split-screen Kombi



A Surfie's dream in progress!!!

[Deeceer]

I have been to this event the last 3 years - last year I was only able to take 2 vehicles as my hubby had to work. I won a trophy for the best T3
The year before we took our 3 up and if my hubby is not working this year we will have 3 there again.

Are there many T4s there? What state of customisation/campers (among the T4s)?

[melissa]

Yeah there are always T4's there and some T5's. As for the state of customisation - who knows as you never know who will turn up

[Special Air Service]

I must make the following vested interest declaration - I am a resident of Old Bar. I hope you can come and participate in the Festival.

Hey we will have to catch up, I too am a resident of Old Bar. I have a white T3 transporter & a 72 beetle.

I will have my beetle on display on the Saturday & the T3 on the Sunday.

When this all started the "official" world record stood at 489 which was (might still be) held by the canadians. I know this pales into insignificance when it is put up alongside Vanfest in the UK, but I dont know if Vanfest has a certified record.

Anyway, lots of fun to be had by all, all weekend. Please come along.

Cheers
Brendan

[silvershadow]

Hey we will have to catch up, I too am a resident of Old Bar. I have a white T3 transporter & a 72 beetle.

I will have my beetle on display on the Saturday & the T3 on the Sunday.

When this all started the "official" world record stood at 489 which was (might still be) held by the canadians. I know this pales into insignificance when it is put up alongside Vanfest in the UK, but I dont know if Vanfest has a certified record.

Anyway, lots of fun to be had by all, all weekend. Please come along.

Cheers
Brendan

Hi Brendan,

We certainly will - will look for you on Saturday and Sunday. Also will be trying to catch up with Melissa as well if she attends on Sunday.

You may have seen my partner's white Eos around Old Bar? Unfortunately, I am between cars right now and have nothing to display.

David

[melissa]

Hi Brendan,

Also will be trying to catch up with Melissa as well if she attends on Sunday.


David

We are staying at Lani's. Arriving Saturday with the rest of the crowd convoying up from down south. Will meet up with you sometime over the weekend David - my red T4 is hard to miss

[silvershadow]

We are staying at Lani's. Arriving Saturday with the rest of the crowd convoying up from down south. Will meet up with you sometime over the weekend David - my red T4 is hard to miss

Hi Melissa,

I should have my partner's 4 year old grand-daughter with me as she loves to go to the festival and look at everything.

I am trying to get her to share our appreciation of old cars as she will probably inherit at least one from our future collection. She loves the Eos and this would be her choice right now .

Regards David

[Special Air Service]

Couple of days to go guys.

[silvershadow]

Today's the big day - weather overcast and cool but no rain on the weather radar.

About 10mm of rain overnight and no helicopters on the air field will keep the dust down so will be a very pleasant day for the participants.

Looking forward to finding Special Air Service and Melissa later this morning.