The Volkswagen Thing has roots going back to the West German Army before it became available for civilian purchase back in 1968, and it’s truly one of those vehicles that sort of defies description, in written words anyway. But the fun factor is high, even in pure stock form with features like removable doors, a fold-down windshield, and a convertible top that doesn’t only drop but is completely removable for an even more enjoyable experience. The seller of this 1978 model here on eBay says his VW is not only very reliable but it’s as comfortable on the roads as off, so if you’ve been searching for something useful on different types of terrain it’s probably worth checking out. The Thing is in Peyton, Colorado, with the no-reserve auction only up to $1,580 so far.
This one’s got extra Baja equipment and boasts some pretty cool additions, such as rocker rail bars and tubular bumpers, with the front unit stated to have sub-standard welding for the mounts that hold it in place. The seller seems to be transparent in telling us his Thing isn’t perfect and has a few blemishes here and there, in particular lots of scratches and some rust developing in the folding windshield frame, but fun is the theme here and overall the exterior still looks decent, so unless you’re planning on turning this VW into a show machine I’m not spotting a whole lot on the outside I couldn’t live with.
The 1600cc engine is stated to still be running great, and while all the fluids have recently been changed there’s no word on whether or not the motor has ever had a complete overhaul. After seeing the recent locations where many auto manufacturers are choosing to hide oil filters, it’s refreshing to see where the Fram component is residing here for easy access, and there’s an oil cooler in place as well. The owner also mentions an aftermarket exhaust, a new battery, 4 fresh KYB shocks, plus a new set of Folceum tires mounted on those aluminum rims.
There’s some wear inside in a few areas and a steering wheel that looks the part of an off road driver, but the front seats appear to have received attention and Mastercraft racing seat belts have been added for some additional safety. This VW Thing seems like it would be a blast to own and operate in the fair weather months, especially if you live near a beach or other sandy location, and I’d probably leave the imperfections and just enjoy driving this one like it is, at least for a while. What are your thoughts here?
They didn’t sell the Thing in the US in 1978 so this was imported into the country most likely from Mexico. Wonder if it came in before the 25 year rule was enacted? Rust on the car would be easily fixed. The seller mentioned a single port 1600 engine however it’s a dual port with missing cooling tin the wrong distributor, and the wrong air cleaner and exhaust. Car also looks to be dark brown from original with a metallic brown repaint. Still would make a good project for someone to sort and have a rare to the states late model Thing.
My ’73 Thing came from the VW dealer in Oklahoma City and I bought it from the owner in 1974. Don’t know about the distributor but the air cleaner isn’t something you need on a dune buggy in the mud and sand. The factory side vents weren’t anything to get excited about either but the flat screens aren’t doing anything for the cause. They changed those for the ’74 model. That exhaust system is twice as efficient as the factory unit. Either way, they are fun.
Correction: Thing was bought new from the dealer in ’73 and we bought it from the owner in ’84. BTW, ’74 was the last year they were sold in the states but Mexico kept building them into the ’80s.
I’ve always loved VW (real VW’s). Thought the ‘Thing’ was/is neat. A descendant of WWII German combat personnel transport.
But why ‘pretty’ it up? Nice job, but could have accomplished much with just painting, original wheels….even a beachy look..
But we all have different opinion. Find a new home Thing…the beach is calling you. 👍
The Type 181 “Thing” isn’t really a “descendant of WWII German combat personnel transport” (i.e., the Type 82 “Kubelwagen”).
There’s some superficial similarity in the corrugated-slab body panels and general configuration of having 4 removable doors, portal axles to raise ground clearance, and running gear otherwise derived from the Type 1 “Beetle” of their respective eras, but if you compare photos it’s obvious their bodies aren’t actually the same or even derivatively-related at all — nor is there any reason they would be, with a gap of over 20 years between production of the last Type 82 and the first Type 181.
Yavol, das Kubelsitzwagen( or bucket seat car) The Germans, I swear, such a speckled past, and such a great nation. So unfair. I think this is the coolest rendition of that vehicle I’ve seen. Up to almost $2grand, that’s PEANUTS for something like this. I complain about the back trails of Colorado being so rough, I think this would do great. It could easily be the “anti-ATV”, with class. Shows how one dimensional people can be. I’ve found, it’s not really necessary to have an AWD vehicle back in the hills, ground clearance and the rear engine here, will do just fine. If you can’t have fun with this, I suggest maybe a new recliner.
I suspect bids will skyrocket after this post!
“Gimme that Thing, gimme that Thing, gimme gimme that, gimme that Thing, gimme gimme that Thing!”
Anyone else remember that commercial?
No, until just now,,,for those that don’t remember, a silly takeoff on the song “Gimme dat ding” by the Pipkins in 1970. I doubt they got any royalties from VW.
Unfortunately, yes.
Yes, I DO!! I also remember VW painted some Things in crazy colors in some of those ads and once had one painted like a Jersey cow and had it in a field of those black n white Milkers!! I bought my first in AL in ’93 and have owned many since! I still have a ’73 w a front clip of a ’74 as a trailer. I mentioned them in my
other post! GREAT FUN!! I never forgot those awesome VDub commercials. I learned to drive Standard Trans in a ’69 Beetle when I was 14 in SC. I’ve owned other Beetles besides my Things too. Gotta LOVE the simplicity of those Air-cooled VWs!
I like this one too!
Ebay listing says has reserve, so be prepared to raise your hand early and often.
I have that same engine in my 74 Super and it goes freeway speed no problem.
Its roots are NOT the West German army. It was designed by Ferdinand Porsche himself for the Nazis and was originally called the Kubelwagen.
Incorrect. I’ll grant there is some superficial similarity between the Type 82 “Kubelwagen” and the the Type 181 “Thing”, in their general use of corrugated-slab body panels with 4 removable doors, reduction-gear portal axles (for the 181 only on military versions) to raise ground clearance and improve low-speed traction over rough terrain, and running gear otherwise derived from the Type 1 “Beetle” of their respective eras.
However, if you compare photos it’s obvious their bodies aren’t actually the same or even derivatively-related at all — nor is there any reason they would be, with a gap of over 20 years between production of the last Type 82 and the first Type 181.
The West German military commissioned development of the Type 181 in the late ’60s as a temporary stop-gap while they awaited completion of the “Europa Jeep” project for NATO and allies, which eventually failed to come to fruition after over a decade in development hell, so the Type 181 wound up remaining in production for about 15 years and was ultimately succeeded for military use by the Type 183 “Iltis”.
came to our shores as an offering in the new suv market (bronk, K-5, scout, etc) so was an attempted throw back to the german orig it looks like.
I disagree w/above comments abt it being an off-rd rig. I’d call it a dune buggy/street rig and as such has it over the early import suv.
Toy FJ 40/60, Land Rover, etc could not B real multi-purpose as their On Road performance could not match the mericans (or this ve dub). They were monsters off rd. but not much ‘on’.
Auto engineers R good @ application (end use). Some are truly multi purpose (I’d call on the mericans 4 that). I cant C this in the gradients or real mud, & rock trail. This is for the beach and college commute or as the girl (sis that was the artist) in the tv show that met as teens (same mom or wuz it dads) one darker (Italian?, drove this) and one blondish…any1 remember the show’s name?
These cars are a BLAST to drive! They sit on Karman Ghia pans and handle like one too.😎 I’ve owned many over the years and still have a ’73 with a ’74 nose I have turned into a trailer…The car was totaled from the rear in San Antonio, TX. I found it in a junkyard there and they cut the nose off for me👍 This is NOT a Thing. These were called Safari’s in Mexico. We only got Things 2 years in the two I just mentioned. They built them in Puebla, MX until around ’81. Then an entrepreneur in Arizona purchased all the remaining parts from VW and brought them back here to build and rebuild cars and continues to sell Restoration parts for the 20 thousand or so still on the road?? These cars rusted horribly in salty areas if they weren’t taken care of, so they continue to be dismantled for the good parts left on them. I get a lot of my parts from Thingparts.com in upstate New York. Mike, The Owner, also imports old Military parts from a connection he has in Europe too, bc of all the Surplus Military cars there. I am using some of the parts he finds to Militarize/Personalize mine.
Some imported M63s show up on the SAMBA periodically bc another Entrepreneur in Houston, TX imported some and sold them in the 80s. I started a Club in SA in the 90s and one of our regulars purchased one. This particular Mexican Import car shows how some people have personalized their cars over the years. They are easy to maintain and as I’ve said, A BLAST TO DRIVE…Fortunately we have lots of parts suppliers to keep the rest of the Survivors going down whatever road you choose to drive them down! They were originally Military Vehicles and are the Modern Kubelwagen! Gotta love the Germans for bringing back this very enjoyable Vehicle!! Hope this car finds a good home. I really dig this one…✌
Wish I had the room and money for a new toy. This would make a dandy addition to my family.
please list the items/components making these different from The Thing (WB, motor, body panels, etc). It looks like 1 to this ignorant observer & he wants to learn…
Some 1 said “not Bug pan”. I know that’s Type 1. Type 2 also as I hada ‘squarback’. The kubel was an “82”, thing (20 yrs later): rear WD/rear engine…
Also huntin for the TV show name of those sisters only meeting in teens (1 drove the thing).
This is basically the same as a “Thing”, but that name was only used for US versions that were only sold here for ’73-74, so this ’78 model must have been sold elsewhere originally, most likely in Mexico where it was called the “Safari”. Regardless of such regional marketing names, Type 181 was the factory official designation (the initial digit 1 indicating a derivative of the Type 1 “Beetle”).
For when you want to pretend you’re recon for the Desert Fox as you thunder across the deserts of Northern Africa.
Thank you
only 2 yrs, wow. Wonder how often that happens domestic or foreign – a Model/Make/Year so short. Corp.s dont usually do something like that. All the ‘gearing -up’ one must do to put out a car or truck. Even the names are recycled for decades (if winner sales – the F series p/u, carolla, edsel, etc).
Like my TV show name above Any One know of other short runs like one or 2 yrs. (truly short not cont sales elsewhere). All ways done due to failure / low sales? Wuz it just for their mrkt in usa? Tucker wuz too small a run to be of note with this lill poll. I mean main 5 or 10 big co.s: Japan, Germany, USA, Italy, France, CZ, Oz.