It’s been a hotter-than-average summer in my neck of the woods in North Carolina. Mercy! Fortunately, this bright orange Thing reminds me of a big pumpkin and cooler fall weather that can’t get here fast enough. And speaking of fast enough (or the lack thereof), here’s a well-preserved 1974 Volkswagen Thing, one of the quirkiest vehicles to ever cross the ocean. Based on the photographs and description, it’s a stock, unmolested VW Thing that’s in great shape. It’s located in Long Beach, California, and its condition makes you think it’s been a California Thing for the past 52 years. It is listed for sale here on eBay and as I’m writing this, the bid is up to $8,800 which doesn’t meet the seller’s reserve.
A few readers may not be familiar with the Thing’s story and its two-year run in the U.S., so here goes. Known as the Type 181, it was a utilitarian Jeep knockoff based on VW’s Type 182 Kubelwagen that was used during World War II. It used a Beetle Chassis and driveline from a Transporter Type 2. It had a flat, fold-down windshield, four removable doors, and a phaeton-style convertible top with removable clear plastic side curtains rather than roll-down window glass. Between poor sales and upcoming U.S. Government Safety Standards, the Thing was only sold in the U.S. for the 1973 and 1974 model years. It continued to be built and sold in various parts of the world under different names through 1983.
Given that these “breadboxes,” as they were nicknamed, were so prone to rust, this one is well preserved and has been kept indoors. The Pumpkin Orange paint, as it was called, looks very presentable; the flat windshield folds down as designed, and I’m not spotting any rust in the photos. The underside and floor pans of this Thing look solid as well.
VW Things had an unpretentious, utilitarian interior, to say the least. Not many creature comforts or luxury items can be found in this cabin. Then again, it could be hosed down if needed. The original-style black vinyl bucket seats and matching 3-passenger rear bench seat look very good, as do the factory four-spoke steering wheel, instrument panel, and dash grab bar. The rubber floor mats also appear to be in great shape.
I can just hear this original air-cooled four-banger running, can’t you? Built on the same chassis as the pre-1968 VW Microbus, the Thing used VW’s reliable 46-horsepower, 1600cc flat-floor engine. A four-speed manual transmission was the only tranny available, and as you can imagine, Things were slowwww, with a top speed of about 68 mph. The seller lists 50,000 miles on the odometer, but there’s no mention of whether they’re the original miles or not. The VW Thing was a curiosity 50+ years ago and remains so today. Only about 25,000 were sold in the U.S. over a two-year period, and who knows how many have survived the elements. Overall, this looks like a nice one. To quote the seller, “Whether you are looking for a turn-key classic for summer drives, VW show events, or a solid addition to an air-cooled collection, this 1974 Thing is ready to enjoy!
I owned one of these VWs when I was a young man going out on the town.
Jokingly, I’d ask a pretty girl if she’d like to come outside to the parking lot and see my Thing. As you can imagine, things didn’t always go so well.
Early it states, they were on a Beetle chassis, later it sats the Thing was put on a minibus frame.
Can someone explain ?
An underside shot on Barrett Jackson showed something different from a Bug.
I recall, decades ago, Popular Mechanics, half jokingly say, if you got into an accident, a carpenter could repair it out of exterior plywood.
All that aside, this seems like a good deal at 8 K.
I always thought they sat on top of a Karmann Ghia pan, it’s been a number of years.
This is what I learned to drive in when I was 16 in Ocean Springs, MS back in the early 90’s. Dad and I would romp around the woods, came around a corner and whoops, floated the front end. Back end was still planted, reversed out no issue.
This is a great OG condition Thing. Floor mats looks correct, still has the oil bath air intake filter system, just needs original exhaust going through bumper. The Thing Shop in Chandler AZ might have parts for it.
Would love to have another Thing one of these days. So much fun to drive.
Great writeup! Pumpkin spice anyone? It appears to actually be rust free in the pictures, even the underside. It would indeed be a fantastic deal at 8 K but sadly, as Ron noted, 8 K does not meet reserve and neither does the current bid of 9.3 K. It’s odd, because eBay shows it sold on August 3rd for $15,601.00. Perhaps that deal fell through. 15K would be a great price as well. https://www.ebay.com/itm/198552116491?_
Owned one like this most of the ’80s. Sold it when we made our move from Oklahoma to Florida and have regretted it ever since. With a little “Hessizing” it was fun and useful. It didn’t take a lot to upgrade the engine 20 hp so it was good on the many miles of interstate in the OKC area. Nice one here.
We also have a orange thing all orginial. That’s the best kind.
What is this Thing? It’s called the VW Thing. In some countries it may have other names, but here in the USA and possibly Canada, it’s the Thing. It’s a damn shame it wasn’t in the USA for very long. I understand the need for safe driving and occupant protection in case of a crash, and unless the 181 (Thing) has a roll bar to reduce the chances of injury, you’re going to have a problem. I’d buy one if it was available in Tacoma Washington or Bremerton Washington.
I like it.
Find a better one.
My friend has a 74 he built a 2×4 tube chassis and it’s got all jeep 258 ,6cylinder running gear and a full external roll cage he built it to rock crawl totally street legal registration is for a 74 be thing got “35s on aluminum slots! very cool
Boy, I wish I had the money. I had one that looked like this for years. Had to get rid of it after my TBI (not in the car at the time).
It was fun, great in all weather, and ran like a champ.
Very cool in its utilitarian simplicity. Would be ideal for sunny days around lower Michigan. IIRC one of these was car Moesha drove in the TV show. Don’t ask how I know this. Must have looked at what my daughter had on the tube once.
Looks like rust through in the floor pan
Thanks for the history Ron. I’m an old VW Bug fan and I didn’t know anything about these but I always thought Things were cool, and this one is a really nice example, and from what bobhess said it sounds like they’re also reliable vehicles with a few tweaks. I’ve seen one in my area and the owners drive around with clown wigs and makeup on, for what reason I don’t know other than to bring even more attention to an already rare vehicle, but it’s always fun to see them. Bidding has reached $10,200 with Reserve not met btw but it still has another day and a half to go give or take.
Memory lane for me we owned 2 VW stores in Midwest & I drove many of these – out to Sand Dunes in Winter for Sledding with my Family & Friends.
Ended at 12K.
Reserve Not Met.
26 bids.
Relisted, and ended a $7900, Reserve Not Met, 38 bids.