Vehicle Description
One owner nearly all its life! This 1974 Volkswagen Thing purchased
almost new in March 1976 while in Omaha, Nebraska, then traveled to
Aspen, Colorado for his retirement years! Always garaged, and
driven an average of only 240 miles per year. Today, it shows only
11,144 actual miles! One exterior repaint with original interior
upholstery! Complete with beautiful top and side curtains, wood
floor panels, factory radio, and records back to 1976! Super solid
and quickly becoming a nice futureinvestment! Built for the United
States buyers from 1973-1974 as the Type 181, it was known as The
Thing. As published in the Volkswagen literature Good for fun and
good for work. Good for the city and good for the country. Good
off-the-road and good on-the-road. At last a car that can be
anything- The Thing! It was designed to be topless, door-less, and
with an optional folding windscreen & fold down rear seats, it
could be transformed into just about any configuration, and
virtually ready for any weather condition even if you leave the
convertible top at home with a rain ready interior! For this
reason, finding a reasonable solid and well cared for unit today
can be a bit tough. We think you will find this example quite the
exception! Offered here is a 1974 Volkswagen Thing finished in
factory correct Canary Yellow with Black Vinyl interior, along with
white top and side curtains! Power comes from its original 1600cc
Horizontal 4 cylinder engine (#AM017532) & Solex 34 PICT-3
carburetor (Tag #181129027L) and 4-speed manual transmission.
Options are abundant and include locking glove box door, locking
gas cap, wood-slatted floor covering front & rear, heater, dual
outside chrome mirrors, chrome wheel covers, radial tires measuring
185/75R14, full roll bar, and sun visors! This example was last
owned for 42 years by the same owner! William S. Latta purchased it
March 18th, 1976 out of Omaha, Nebraska at Dillion-Anderson Motors
Inc. with only limited mileage on the odometer. He retired soon
afterward, and moved to Aspen, Colorado where this Thing would be
preserved and garage kept until we came to own it in 2018! Adding
approximately 240 miles during the Colorado driving season, he also
made sure it was serviced regularly. Provided with the car will be
his early sales documentation, service records, original Colorado
title copy, emissions receipts, 2 sets of keys, and more! Today,
the odometer shows just 11,144 actual miles! The car has been
repainted professionally years ago with show worthy results still
today, while the interior upholstery remains original. Seatbelts
have been added for safety, along with a Blaupunkt Laguna AM/FM/CD
radio. Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, this 1974
Volkswagen Thing was serviced to include new front brake hoses, all
new brake fluid, new spark plugs, ceramic-coated exhaust system
from CarCraft of Riverside, CA, exhaust manifold gasket, chrome
exhaust tips, new engine oil/filter, and test driven for
approximately 10 miles. It is a remarkable example throughout, with
one of the most solid chassis we have seen in quite some time! It
is ready to pass on to the next lucky owner, and we invite
interested parties to call to schedule a chance to review it in
person! Act quickly! This one has all the right investment
criteria!