1972 VW Kombi Single-cab Lowlight – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 21.01.2019

Rare Kombi Lowlight ute, showing its age but a great restoration candidate

1972 VW Kombi Single-cab Lowlight – Today’s Tempter

The Kombi ‘lowlight’ was a production variation that first arrived in Australia for the 1968 model year.

In its domestic market in Germany, production for this model year actually began in August 1967 and continued until 1972.

The ‘lowlight’ moniker refers to the indicators mounted low down near the bumper bar, and is largely highly regarded by Kombi nuts for their aesthetics, many of which prefer them over later ‘bay windows’.

The lowlight series underwent a number of updates through the years, which saw later year vehicles lose some of the visual charm but offer some tangible benefits under the skin.

1971 Lowlights are popular as they bear a lot of the original styling of early lowlight Kombis, however they were the first model year to gain disc brakes and a brake booster.

Visually, the 1972 model year differs from the first lowlight Kombis with a later and larger engine bay (which proved a popular candidate for engine swaps), square tail lights, flared front wheel arches and larger rear arches, as well as 5x112 stud pattern.

This 1972 lowlight Kombi is a rare single cab ute, with a twin-carb 2.0lt engine and fitted with an eight-pass oil cooler.

It has full service records –predominantly with Dandy Volks in Dandenong and Volks Affair in South Melbourne - with the odometer reading 62,093 miles (the seller states this is likely the second time around however).

The lowlight ute has undergone sheet steel rust repairs by VW Performance centre in Croydon back in 2015, on the pillar seems, dash support panel, lower windscreen aperture and rear gate.

The ‘lowie’ also received new door cards and roof lining by ‘Bus and Bug’ in 2012.

It’s clearly been loved and had a life well-lived, however it is beginning to show its age.

The seller states that the Single-cab ute has been a daily driver since 2011, and runs reliably and well. However, its new custodian will be in for some pretty serious work regarding the side and rear drop gates, with rust showing on the cabin divider, as well as the lower edges of both doors.

It’s a rare model, that will come with personalised KMB172 plates, as well as extra badges, adornments and a box of spares (door step pads, lenses etc).

The car bears no RWC or rego, but for $17,999 or best offer, it looks like a great candidate for someone willing to restore and save it.

The car is based in Victoria, and you can check out the full listing here!

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