Vehicle Description
1974 Volkswagen Thing - Acapulco Edition
VIN 1842544XXXX
One of only 400 Acapulco Edition built
Rarest of the VW Type 181
Original Paint
Sold new on February 26, 1976, to Kenneth N Laidlaw from Silver
City, Nevada by Johnnie Lee Imported Cars, Inc Volkswagen in
Berkeley, California. Paperwork and service history from 1976 to
1999, one owner for 23 years. Original owner's manual, emission
control and factory Thing brochure. Excellent original turnkey
driver with a powerful flat-four engine with a 4-speed manual
transmission. $2,300 has been recently spent as of May 2020, for a
full service including; new distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs,
spark plug wires, condenser, fan belt, oil & filter change, new
muffler, installed a new carburetor, replace wheel cylinders, brake
hoses, adjust brakes, and the fuel tank was replaced.
A true survivor, original paint with patina but an amazing straight
body for being 46 years old. Finished in off-white with a blue
hood, bumpers, and rocker panels, a color scheme unique to the
approximately 400 examples in the Acapulco Edition produced for the
US market. The Acapulco Edition featured black running boards and
striped Surrey tops in addition to the blue accents, though this
example is instead equipped with a white factory hardtop, which is
quite rare. The interior includes the blue-and-white striped vinyl
rear seats distinctive to the Acapulco Edition, the front seats
have been upholstered in black vinyl. The cabin also retains a
body-colored steel dash and doorless glovebox. Painted 14" steel
wheels with hubcaps and Nexen 195/75 R14 tires. This is an
excellent driver with solid floor pans and is ready to enjoy. The
perfect beach cruiser or second car.
Acapulco- USA/Mexico history
In 1974 the Thing "Acapulco" model was available, a stock Thing
with a few minor trim changes. They had blue and white gloss paint
and interior, running boards, usually a surrey top and either a
hardtop or a soft top. There were some Acapulco's built-in Mexico
in 1973 for the resort trade, including a few with a pink and white
color scheme. Most all the Acapulco Things were exported to the US
market in 1974 and only 400 were made. This is the rarest of all
the Type 181's built.
