VW Kombi's epic journey reaches end after 63 years Brazil is the last country still producing the iconic vehicle after it was introduced in Germany 63 years ago It will cease production due to new safety rules mandating every vehicle must have air bags and anti-lock braking As a farewell gesture, Volkswagen is offering a limited final edition to buyers - priced at an estimated £26,000 Yesterday, exhibition was held in Sao Bernardo, Brazil, to honour the last of the Volkswagen Kombi vans By Sophie Jane Evans and Matt Blake For 63 years, it has carried families of hippies, hauled surfers in search of killer waves and served as a workhorse across many developing countries. But now, the Volkswagen Kombi's epic journey has finally reached the end of the road. The iconic vehicle has succumbed to environmental legislation - meaning it will no longer be produced in Brazil, or anywhere else in the world. Iconic: The Volkswagen Kombi's epic journey has finally reached the end of the road after 63 years of production. Above, a multi-coloured fleet of the beloved vehicles Farewell gesture: The Kombi has succumbed to environmental legislation. However, Volkswagen is now offering a limited final version (pictured) to buyers and collectors Final edition: About 1,200 'last edition' models are expected to be produced by the German manufacturer - each priced at an estimated $43,000 (£26,000) Brazil is the only country still producing the beloved model, which was introduced in Germany in 1950. However, it will cease production on December 20 due to new safety regulations coming into force next year - mandating that every vehicle in the country must have air bags and anti-lock braking. Now, as a farewell gesture, Volkswagen is offering a limited final version of the Kombi to buyers and collectors. About 1,200 'last edition' models are expected to be produced by the German manufacturer - each priced at an estimated $43,000 (£26,000). Factory: Workers produce limited final editions of the Kombi in Volkwagen Brazil's factory in Sao Bernardo do Campo today Production: Brazil is the only country still producing the beloved Kombi, which was introduced in Germany in 1950 End of an era: However, the country will cease production on December 20 due to new safety regulations coming into force next year - mandating that every vehicle in the country must have air bags and anti-lock braking. Above, workers test various elements of the final edition Kombi People across the world are mourning the end of the Kombi - with some van lovers holding an exhibition in Sao Bernado do Campo, Brazil, yesterday to honour their beloved minubuses. In total, more than 10million of the iconic vehicles have been produced throughout the world - with 1.5million having been made in Brazil since 1957. The vans were called the Type 2, because they were the second type to be offered by car maker Volkswagen - the first being the Beetle. Over the years, they have been dubbed a variety of things, including the minivan, microvan, hippie van, campervan and the 'bus'. Hippie hooray: For 63 years, the iconic vehicle it has carried hippies, hauled surfers in search of killer waves and served as a workhorse in many developing countries Popular: In total, more than 10million Kombis have been produced throughout the world - with 1.5million having been made in Brazil since 1957 Out with a bang: People across the world are mourning the end of the Kombi - with some van lovers holding an exhibition in Sao Bernado do Campo, Brazil, yesterday to honour their beloved minubuses In Britain and the US during the 60s and 70s, partly because it was cheap, the Type 2 became linked with youth culture - with its advertising slogan 'not just a vehicle ... more a way of life'. It became popular that British enthusiasts still gather every year for the annual Volkswagen Festival near Leeds. Celebrity fans of the iconic vehicle include actor Martin Clunes, who owns two campers - a rare black one with a bay windscreen, and a navy and white split-screen model dating from 1977. Hippier times: The show was held in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, tocelebrate the last of the iconic Volkswagen Kombi minibuses to come off the assembly line Nicknames: Over the years, the Kombi has been dubbed a variety of things, including the minivan, microvan, hippie van, campervan and 'bus' There's something so self-contained about a camper,' he said. Formula 1 racing driver Jenson Button has also owned two - a red and white model from 1956 and a gold-coloured 1970 Volkswagen Kombi. 'To be honest, it was a complete pain,' he said. 'It was towing a heavy trailer, so perhaps it's not surprising that it broke down several times. Multi-purpose: In Brazil, the Kombi is used by the postal service to haul mail, by the army to transport soldiers, and by funeral directors to carry corpses Famous fans: Celebrity fans of the iconic vehicle include actor Martin Clunes, Formula 1 racing driver Jenson Button and chef Jamie Oliver Numerous attempts: Volkswagen unveiled a new version of the camper van at the 2011 Geneva Motor show, but it never went into production Production in Germany was halted in 1979 because the Kombi no longer met European safety requirements. Volkswagen unveiled a new version of the camper van at the 2011 Geneva Motor show, but it never went into production. Taking a break: Visitors rest at yesterday's exhibition which showcased hundreds of the iconic minibuses Long heritage: The first ever Volkswagen campervans were made in 1950