Lately, I’ve seen an uptick in interest in the weird and wonderful VW Thing. This is purely subjective, but I’ve spotted more in the flesh in the past two years than I can recall any time prior. In fact, I run a car show in Florida called the VW Beach Bash – happening this weekend – and a healthy amount of our attendees are rolling up in Volkswagen’s version of a four-seater Jeep. This particular Thing wears some of the best colors you can hope for on a fun-loving Volkswagen like this, and the seller of this example here on craigslist notes it has low mileage and has been cherished since new by its three owners before him. It’s listed for $24,600 in Oak Hill, Florida.
The Thing is clearly a vehicle that serves a specific purpose, and more than likely, it doesn’t include commuting. Living in a beach community or small village is somewhat essential to owning a Thing; if you need to rely on the interstate to get where you need to go, I can’t see it making much sense. I’m sure some Thing and Bus owners will tell me otherwise, but as someone who owned a 70 horsepower diesel Toyota, I can tell you I don’t relish the adventure of driving such a vehicle on the local highway system. Plus, a vehicle like the Thing just seems happiest when the roof is off and it’s parked near the ocean somewhere that the temperature doesn’t go below 70 degrees.
Now, a lot of Things tend to emerge with some battle scars when they come up for sale (and haven’t been completely restored). It’s rare to find one that has actually survived in decent condition. The seller’s Thing has a well-documented ownership history between Florida and South Carolina, clearly benefitting from the hospitable southern climates. The Thing was seemingly examined closely when it returned to Florida, and the seller noted lots of original details that you just don’t see on most examples. This includes the “Spare Tire Operate” pneumatic windshield washer that still works! Some oil seepage was noted when he got the car home, so the engine was removed and every seal was replaced. The valves were also adjusted at this time.
The Thing benefits from other recent mechanical attention, including the wheel cylinders being replaced; new tires, including the spare; shift rod bushings replaced; new Gabriel shocks all around; upgraded header and muffler; brand new top; replacement battery; and more. The Thing will also come with documentation that helps connect the dots between the various owners. With the original paint still showing, this Thing really does check a lot of boxes as it relates to being a nicely preserved example that doesn’t need full restoration to be enjoyed. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find.
If the seller wants 24K for his Thing then it should be 100% original down to its special oil bath air cleaner which fortunately he still has and the stock exhaust that exits through the rear bumper. I’m personally not at all attracted to these Things. I would rather have a Beetle or a notchback.
I agree with Al. It looks to be in good condition but for $24 G’s it should be complete stock. I’ve had many VW’s and 1 Thing. Depending on other pending details/issues might be a bit high.
Had a ’73 for several years. Orange with black top and gas heater. Trimmed the knee bangers off the bumper ends, repainted the fenders, installed a roll bar and eventually rebuilt the engine with a little more power while at it. Put 40,000 miles on it and had a ball with it. Car collector in the area walked up and bought it right out from under me. I used to say I couldn’t be bought but it didn’t work that time.
I had one of these it came from scituate mass was painted red with Dr Seuss character on the sides drive it home to Taunton mass in a snow storm no top. And sold it on eBay for a nice profit I traded a dirt bike that dindt run for it. This was in 01 I think. Was a cool car. Gas heater not a lot of rust and dindt own it very long .
didn’t ?
I had a friend who had one of these. The battery was under the rear seat, it caught fire…instant car-b-q.
The surprisingly high ask shouldn’t be surprising, vintage “beach” cars in Very Good to Excellent condition will always bring top dollar in the upscale beach communities. Look at the prices on Jolly’s and Mokes. Wealthy folks enjoy a fun car at their vacation homes. Being as close to original as it is, should allow this one to bring good money, if he markets it in the right places. Having it show up on BarnFinds can’t hurt.
Very nice, just not worth that much, $24k can get you so much more.
A quick check on NADA has a ~$10k price for this car … Unless it is something called the Acapulco Edition, in which case it is ~$30k.
You’re not buying good ones for 10k.
Years of buying and selling collectible cars and trucks has taught me that in this arena NADA is not particularly accurate. There are better sources for putting a figure on a 48 year old special interest VW.
“.. better sources..”
like to see a list of those, see if they run in ‘categories’, rated by urban/rural price, etc.
My thought is also *geography, *where listed (some1 said BaT?), *attention to detail of specific rig, *the nat / internat climate (ie this would have sold for the 24 large if marketed at the time the TV show w/1 in it was on – the 2 sisters raised seperatly till teens)[ imcdb.org/vehicles] and much, much more…
Good Lord man, why don´t you write in intelligible English? Your gibberish is quasi incomprehensible.
Hey Gerald! “. Judge not, lest ye be judged”.
Used to be able to get a good one for $1000! I had a shot at a pink one.
“You know, the thing”. One of these must be what Bidet was talking about.
I had a friend in Waveland Miss whose Thing, ( I know what you ‘re thinking ), ended up on a chain link fence as the waters from Hurricane Katrina receded. Granted that was , hard to believe, 17 years ago, but he gave it away! After all no one in his right mind ever paid more than a grand for one…….if it was running.
This one for sale sounds like it has been gone through by someone who measure point gaps with a micrometer. That’s the good news! I hope someone buys it after all the work he has done. I wish I were that detail oriented. Ergo, I’d be looking for a less expensive one. :)