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Elise was dreaming of experiencing ‘van life’ the day she googled ‘Volkswagen Kombi’ in 2015. 

Elise Cook, 26, owes one special widower for her ‘van life’ purchase back in 2015

‘Scout’, the name of the couples peach-coloured van, has taken them right across Australia running their winery business

But it wasn’t always looking like a sure thing: ‘Most of the vintage VW vans for sale in South Australia read along the lines of “great family van, starts sometimes…” or “moves when in neutral”

Her husband

‘Occasionally I would scroll through sale ads online much in the same way one dreams about winning the lottery,’ Ms Cook told Daily Mail Australia.

‘Most of the vintage VW vans for sale in South Australia read along the lines of “great family van, starts sometimes…” or “moves when in neutral”. 

‘While these vans sounded like a great time as soon as I saw the ad for “‘Scout” I had to calm my racing heart.

‘A Westfalia campervan in beautiful condition, no rust, a V6 Holden engine that has her running like a dream and strong enough to tow a caravan, a completely original interior, and one owner since the year she was made in 1972.’

The pair have added quirky interior decorations but haven’t altered the overall design of the Kombi

‘I somehow convinced Dom to come and look with me – just to look. He repeated about twenty five times on the way there that I should by no means get my hopes up, as this van was way out of our budget,’ said Ms Cook

When they met the Kombi Servisi

A widower has given his $39,500 Kombi van away for half price to a young couple after they agreed to his one condition. 

, 26, and her husband

Elise was dreaming of experiencing ‘van life’ the day she googled ‘Volkswagen Kombi’ in 2015. 

Her husband

‘Occasionally I would scroll through sale ads online much in the same way one dreams about winning the lottery,’ Ms Cook told Daily Mail Australia.

‘Most of the vintage VW vans for sale in South Australia read along the lines of “great family van, starts sometimes…” or “moves when in neutral”. 

‘While these vans sounded like a great time as soon as I saw the ad for “‘Scout” I had to calm my racing heart.

‘A Westfalia campervan in beautiful condition, no rust, a V6 Holden engine that has her running like a dream and strong enough to tow a caravan, a completely original interior, and one owner since the year she was made in 1972.’

The only problem was the price. It was on sale for $39,500 and too expensive for the young couple to afford.

‘I somehow convinced Dom to come and look with me – just to look. He repeated about twenty five times on the way there that I should by no means get my hopes up, as this van was way out of our budget, completely impossible and off the cards,’ she said.

When they met Mr Von Maltzahn the three swapped stories about their adventures and how incredible a van is for getting around.

The Dutch-South African owner bought the Kombi in 1972 after marrying his wife in Germany. They travelled right across Europe in the van before bringing it to South Africa where they lived for many years. 

Twenty five years ago the pair moved to Australia and started a family, bringing their beloved Kombi with them. 

Ms Cook said: ‘He told us it had been places and seen things that would make the most seasoned traveller envious.

‘We left, grateful to have met Peter and kombi servisi his beautiful van, but unable to put an offer in.’

Just over a week later Mr Von Maltzahn called the couple and asked them to come and take another look.

‘We drove there, with Dom again tenderly telling me not to get my hopes up, we couldn’t afford it right now, and please not to start crying again.

Peter told the pair he had received two offers for his original asking price. 

‘My heart sank. Why were we here?’ thought Ms Cook.

‘He told us that both the offers where from men who were collectors. His van would sit in a shed, collecting dust, or on display, or perhaps even have some work done to spruce her up. 

‘He asked us, in all seriousness, what we could afford. While I sat at the table silently, my heart racing, Dom said to Peter that he meant no offence, but the most we could spend was around half of what he was asking.’

That’s when Mr Von Maltzahn revealed the true reason for the sale.

‘His wife, with whom he’d shared every van experience, had recently passed away.

‘Peter’s daughters, now adults, had finally agreed and understood why he couldn’t bear to keep the van. Too many memories held within it, and the time had come.

‘He told us that the idea of the Kombi going to a young married couple, beginning their lives together, just like he and his wife when they bought it together back in ’72, meant so much more to him. 

‘With tears in his eyes he told us he would accept our offer, but only on one condition.

‘I told him we would do anything. He said, “You have to promise me you’ll have adventures and when you have your own children you have to take them on many, many adventures”,’ Ms Cook said.

The couple, who paid just $19,500 for the peach-coloured vehicle, instantly agreed.

Elise and Domenic plan to travel around Australia in the van this year while running their winery, . 

‘I can’t say I’ve ever sat behind the wheel of our Kombi without feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness. Hand to heart it happens every time.

‘It’s not just that people stop and smile at me as we drive leisurely by, or that she brings a sense of freedom reminiscent of a Bob Marley number, or that every time I pass a fellow Kombi owner there are friendly waves exchanged, or that she’s made life a constant holiday… it’s not even the fact that the big bay window provides a fantastic view of whatever we’re passing.

‘It’s because the day we drove her home, she became part of our little family,’ said Ms Cook.

It hasn’t always been easy living in the van but it has certainly brought the pair closer.

‘One night we camped in a very remote location with nothing and no one for miles. We woke to discover a little black car parked right next to us. I thought it was super odd and started to imagine scenes out of a horror movie. 

‘We fell back asleep and then both woke when we heard something on the front door. Dom has previously put me to sleep by telling me it was okay, he was there to protect me. 

‘Well he was straight under the covers while I climbed into the front with our kitchen knife and torch. My legs felt like they were going to give way but I kept telling myself, “I am not going down without a fight.” I was totally convinced we were living out my worst nightmare.

‘When I lifted the curtain and flicked on the torch, I was met with two huge eyes staring straight me. I screamed. It was the biggest possum I had ever seen! Turns out the other car just thought we looked friendly in our Kombi and would make a good sleeping buddy. 

‘So yes. Many adventures,’ she said.  

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