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Automotive

Kombi's DeLorean makeover takes Volkswagen back to the future

By Rich Haridy
November 06, 2017
Kombi's DeLorean makeover takes Volkswagen back to the future
The Volkswagen Kombi complete with DeLorean-like gull-wing doors
The Volkswagen Kombi complete with DeLorean-like gull-wing doors
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The back is fitted with a in-built TV so passengers can watch the Back to the Future movies
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The back is fitted with a in-built TV so passengers can watch the Back to the Future movies
The Volkswagen Kombi complete with DeLorean-like gull-wing doors
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The Volkswagen Kombi complete with DeLorean-like gull-wing doors
Some older features are maintained, like the classic speedometer
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Some older features are maintained, like the classic speedometer
Everything is styled up, including the engine in the back
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Everything is styled up, including the engine in the back
A bold yellow and orange interior color plan is pure 1967
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A bold yellow and orange interior color plan is pure 1967
TV and sunroof
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TV and sunroof
Trunk space
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Trunk space
That classic Kombi nose
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That classic Kombi nose
Every aspect of the van has been either restored or upgraded
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Every aspect of the van has been either restored or upgraded
The new dashboard
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The new dashboard
Classic 1960s upholstery coloring
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Classic 1960s upholstery coloring
A closer look at the engine
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A closer look at the engine
The biggest change has to be those gull-wing doors
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The biggest change has to be those gull-wing doors
There is no mistaking one of the more iconic vehicles of the 20th century
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There is no mistaking one of the more iconic vehicles of the 20th century
The interior color scheme is certainly bright
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The interior color scheme is certainly bright
It's an expensive buy but there is grand attention to detail
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It's an expensive buy but there is grand attention to detail
The classic time-travel destination dash perfectly replicated
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The classic time-travel destination dash perfectly replicated
The interior fit out
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The interior fit out
That classic Kombi rear end
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That classic Kombi rear end
The restoration includes a full sound system
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The restoration includes a full sound system
No matter how fancy the trimmings this is still a classic Kombi
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No matter how fancy the trimmings this is still a classic Kombi
Closer look at the wheels
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Closer look at the wheels
That orange still gets to us
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That orange still gets to us
The sleek grey outer finish is a nice 1980s DeLorean reference
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The sleek grey outer finish is a nice 1980s DeLorean reference
Yep, it includes a flux capacitor
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Yep, it includes a flux capacitor
The grey outer finish contrasts the gaudy 1960s color scheme inside
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The grey outer finish contrasts the gaudy 1960s color scheme inside
Every element is finished with a nice attention to detail
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Every element is finished with a nice attention to detail
1960s meets the 1980s in 2017
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1960s meets the 1980s in 2017
It's a sleek restoration but still at 1967 Kombi at heart
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It's a sleek restoration but still at 1967 Kombi at heart
Fitted with a JL Audio sound system
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Fitted with a JL Audio sound system
It's a Kombi!
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It's a Kombi!
Depending on your fondness for Kombis this image will either fill you with horror or wonder
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Depending on your fondness for Kombis this image will either fill you with horror or wonder
Selling for $90,000
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Selling for $90,000
The front seats in a van worth nearly one hundred thousand dollars
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The front seats in a van worth nearly one hundred thousand dollars
Another VW wheel
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Another VW wheel
What happens when the van hits 88 miles per hour?
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What happens when the van hits 88 miles per hour?
Doc Brown can store his gear on the roof
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Doc Brown can store his gear on the roof
We're sure there is someone out there who wants to buy this – and then give us a ride
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We're sure there is someone out there who wants to buy this  – and then give us a ride
The classic old fitting
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The classic old fitting
Another look at the undeniably weird dashboard
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Another look at the undeniably weird dashboard
Good old Kombi front end
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Good old Kombi front end
Kombi eyes
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Kombi eyes
Close the roof when traveling through time
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Close the roof when traveling through time
We don't think this van runs on plutonium
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We don't think this van runs on plutonium
Under the seats
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Under the seats
The roof
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The roof
The Volkswagen Kombi complete with DeLorean-like gull-wing doors
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The Volkswagen Kombi complete with DeLorean-like gull-wing doors
A reminder of how spacious these old Kombis can be
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A reminder of how spacious these old Kombis can be
View gallery - 48 images

There's no doubt that nostalgia sells, and both the iconic Volkswagen Kombi and timeless Back to the Future movies have it in spades. So maybe targeting a highly specific group of wealthy automotive aficionados that like both retro-Volkswagens and the Back To The Future movies isn't as crazy as it sounds – or maybe it is. Either way, this restored van gives us an idea of what might have been if Doc Brown's taste in vehicles had been different.

Restored by Nashville-based luxury outfit Velocity Motorcars, the restoration starts with a 1967 Kombi, rejuvenated both inside and out. Perhaps the most dramatic changes are the custom-built gull-wing doors, which mirror those of a classic DeLorean, and a gray paint job to reflect the DeLorean's unpainted stainless steel body panels.

The classic time-travel destination dash perfectly replicated
The classic time-travel destination dash perfectly replicated

On the dashboard things get a little on the nose (or awesome, depending on your tolerance for full-on movie prop theming) with a complete, and accurate, replica of the time-machine controller from Back To The Future. The pictures don't show the displays illuminated, but we would hope it lights up and allows you to punch in your ideal time zone destination.

Behind the front seats is a perfect flux capacitor replica, which we assume kicks on when you hit 88 mph – and which undoubtedly takes a little longer in this than a DeLorean. The van is also fitted out with the various mod-cons, including a TV in the back for passengers to watch Michael J. Fox movies, and a JL Audio sound system to enjoy a bit of Johnny B. Goode.

A reminder of how spacious these old Kombis can be
A reminder of how spacious these old Kombis can be

The one-off vehicle is selling for a tidy US$89,995, so you may want to take a Grays Sports Almanac along on a test drive to place a few bets.

Take a look through the gallery for a closer look at the Back To The Future Kombi.

Source: Velocity Motorcars

View gallery - 48 images

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AutomotiveVolkswagenVan
9 comments
Rich Haridy
Rich Haridy
Rich has written for a number of online and print publications over the last decade while also acting as film critic for several radio broadcasters and podcasts. His interests focus on psychedelic science, new media, and science oddities. Rich completed his Masters degree in the Arts back in 2013 before joining New Atlas in 2016.

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9 comments
ljaques
I'm gonna throw up...
Griffin
As I remember, it was the terrorists in the first film that were driving a V-Dub bus-
Maybe you'd rather just give them the Flux Capacitor instead?
This reminds me of all those General Lee wannabes... people even made them out of Yugos...
Stupid....
jayedwin98020
Couldn't any one have tried making a little effort in the co-ordination of the exterior, and interior color choices?
That interior looks terrible! Blacks, reds, and greys would have look great.
Nik
Try opening the gull-wing doors in a car park with vehicles parked both sides, or for that matter inside the average garage. Climbing over the seats to get in and out of the drivers seat and out of the rear side doors, on a daily basis, when parked in a garage, could become more than tedious. Oh, but you cant, the TV is in the way, that means climbing through the windscreen, what fun! All that for just $90 K. What a bargain.
Jerry
90 K of nope!
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really cool. I want that.
Spod
Regardless of whether you like the colour scheme or the mods, you are still dead if you hit anything at any reasonable speed. These things are a deathtrap...
Tom Lee Mullins
I think it would have been a way more comfortable and cooler time machine than the Delorean.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is way cool. I think it is better than the Delorean.