The VW Thing (technically the Type 181) was a military-style vehicle that most closely resembled the Jeep. But it was a rear-wheel drive “fun-mobile” that used the same rear-mounted engine as the VW Beetle. They were only sold in the U.S. in 1973 and 1974, though the run was longer aboard. The seller offers a rare Acapulco Thing which saw a production of maybe 400 units. It’s a multi-colored marvel that will require restoration after sitting for years in Grass Valley, California. This interesting oddity is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $25,000.
Volkswagen sold about 25,000 Things in the U.S. in a two-year period. Something of a beach cruiser, the Thing had a removable top and doors along with a folding windshield to provide a complete sweeping view of the environment around its occupants. In 1974, a limited edition emerged called the Acapulco Thing which was designed for use by high-end resorts in Mexico. This was a natural connection as the Thing was built in Puebla. A common application was to tote high rollers around the oceanfront community of Acapulco. We understand that just a few hundred were assembled in the Spring of 1974.
Most of the Acapulco Things were painted white with blue accents all over the place. Removable side curtains on the doors were also in play. But some were finished in the full array of colors that you see on the seller’s Thing, making it perhaps even more rare than the others. The seller admits that this ’74 special edition Thing is in poor condition, having spent many moons under his/her deck. We’re told it was last running about three years ago and a new wiring harness was installed around that time.
We’re not sure what a restoration may entail with this one, and you’d probably drive your body shop crazy with all the different paint colors to be applied. The seller says the floorboards are okay, so perhaps any rust is sheet metal related. The mileage of 20,000 is just an estimate and the clutch and horn will need to work, too. But since this is a Beetle under the skin, parts for much of the vehicle may not be hard to find. The sales listing has been up for several works, so perhaps the asking price is too rich for most buyers. Therefore, we’re told offers will be considered. Does this “wild thing” grab you?
A plastic copy of the German army’s Kübbelwagen during WW2, their answer to the Jeep. They were noticed in Europe in seaside towns, they had the reputation of being neither waterproof nor reliable due to their bodywork made up of plastic parts. In France they were compared to the Citroën Mehari and the Renault ACL manufactured on the basis of the Renault 4 by an independent bodybuilder.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_K%C3%BCbelwagen
They were never plastic unless of course in a model kit form.
After owning one I love the Things but wouldn’t pay even half the asking price for this one. Moonwalker.
Officer: “What color was the getaway car?”
Witness: “Yellow.”
Officer: “Okay, so we’re looking for a yellow car.”
Witness: “Well, it might have had some red on it, possibly some blue. I think that I saw some green also…”.
Officer: “Are you feeling okay?”
I dont believe VW ( Mexico) ever turned out a Thing (Safari) looking like this! I have only ever heard of the Acapulco editions being painted white and blue.This looks like a home made mashup and might be worth way less than half what he is asking.I owned my Thing for 30 years and loved it and they nave shot up in value..but one like this needs lots of love..I would grab it but not anywhere near what he/she is asking..
I was thinking the same. Someone painted this combo. Acapulco models were only in the blue/white theme.
A Harlequin Thing!
Maybe get Cheech Marin to sing “I built it one piece at a time” But seriously: If you could verify that is a factory color scheme it may have some value to a serious VW collector. Otherwise, it put the ug in ugly.
Buy this and you’d be very unique at your local Cars and Coffee!!
Look inside the engine lid and you can see it was white.This may be a real Acapulco that has been ruined and it could be brought back..all parts are available thro The Thing Shop. If you could get it for $5000 it would be worth it to put at least $10,000 back into it..
$25,000? They must be joking!
One zero too many.
Things by any name were never plastic..all steel not matter whether made in Mexico or Germany or whatever name they went by…
These were all steel cars. I owned one down in Ecuador. The only time it was fun to drive was with the doors off and windshield down. The sad ‘thing’ is it wouldn’t get up my dirt driveway as only one wheel spun. All parts are available for these as I took many parts back to Ecuador. In the end I gave it away to a friend of mine down there that didn’t even know how to shift it. I look at these as more of a novelty now and I grew up with Vdubs and loved them, this just not worth the asking price.
Buyer beware:
The Acapulco edition was white with blue stripes from the factory with a bikini top. It did not have a yellow dashboard, and it did not have all these crazy colors. I think someone found a bikini top and put it on a regular thing and had fun with the paint
When I was a kid my uncle sold his 66 bug to buy a Thing. I loved it. Tons of fun. His was orange. 25,000 is insane and the paint is unfortunate to be as kind as I can. I did dislike it in winter. When the gas heater went whoosh I was certain we were all going to die.