VW's Hippie Van, the Kombi, Sends a Farewell Thank You to Dr. Bob Hieronimus All the Way from Brazil

Goodbye to the Hippie Van! The iconic VW bus, known as the Kombi, is sadly being discontinued, and as the last ones roll off the last remaining assembly lines in Brazil, both fans and the Volkswagen corporation are paying their last respects. Due to his fame with the Woodstock Bus, Dr. Bob was contacted by a Brazilian journalist who posted his story on VW’s Brazilian website of fan love (vw.com.br/kombi). Then the VW ad agency picked up on it, and selected Bob’s story about the Woodstock Bus for a special homage along with some of their other favorite stories. This whimsical print ad is now running in Veja, one of the most influential Brazilian weekly news magazines distributed throughout the country. It’s headlined “The last wishes of the Volkswagen Bus,” and is written from the perspective of the Kombi van itself. It says, “Well, my friends, this is it. I have nothing to complain about. I’ve seen quite a lot and I’ve worked really hard. I’ve been a school bus, an ambulance, a fruit stand, and even a police car. I know this country like the grooves on my tires. But to be honest, I didn’t know so many people loved me so dearly. Ever since my discontinuation was announced, I’ve received messages from all over the world. Messages from people who went to my website, and reminded me of beautiful, remarkable stories that filled my headlights with tears. So I thought I couldn’t leave without giving something back to these special people who were a part of my life. I came up with a list of last wishes I would like to fulfill before I go. With this list, I expect to pay homage to some of those who have warmed my heart – and my driver’s seat.” “To Bob Hieronimus, a visual artist who made me famous among hippies of the whole world, I leave a special sketchbook shaped like a Volkswagen Bus.” — a quote from the Last Volkswagen Kombi Bus

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