The Kombi caught eyes with its livery featuring blue background and words 'Wodonga Poultry Suppliers', 'delivery van' and '260 Athol St Wodonga'.

It was the first time the van had been displayed after a $75,000 makeover that saw it transformed from a shell plagued with rust, missing headlights and no engine.

"It was bad, very bad, it sat in the backyard of a house for many years," Greg Hardy said.

The Yackandandah man found it three years ago and its Melbourne owner Phil Munday then took it from a wreck to a wow in two years.

The van is a 1955 model and would have been one of the earliest of its type in Australia.

Mr Hardy has been liaising with Wodonga and District Historical Society to discover more information about the vehicle.

"It definitely was a local icon when it was going around," he said.

"We've been trying to find an original photo so we can find the original number plates to put on it."

The van was part of VITS - Volkswagens in the Square - which was held at Hovell Tree Park yesterday.

Founder and chief organiser Reece White said 154 vehicles were showcased, a figure significantly higher than the previous record of 120.

He attributed the record to the 50^th anniversary of the Volkswagen Bug-In occurring at the same time on the Border.

Any brands under the Volkswagen Group banner, which includes Audi and Porsche, can appear at VITS.

A candy-painted 1961 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback was the car of the show.

"It was immaculate," Mr White said.

Wodonga carpet store owner Peter Middleton claimed the trophy for oldest car on show with his 1954 Beetle which still has its original motor.

Mr White himself scored the hard luck award after his Volkswagen Squareback set itself alight when he went to start it on Saturday night in preparation for Sunday's show.

"It caught fire under the backseat," he said.

"Something that shouldn't have got hot, got hot."

Fortunately the fire was isolated and Mr White has been told it will be repairable and he expects to be soon back on the road.