Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 1842543056 E
With an outsized cultural reputation, you might be surprised to
learn that Volkswagen's "The Thing" was only sold in the United
States for just two years. Between 1973 and 1974 the utilitarian
vehicle with West-German military roots, a highly un-Germanic name,
and unorthodox style was a perfect fit among Volkswagen's lineup of
classic Beetles and distinctive buses that captured the
counter-culture spirit of the 1960s and 1970s. Like many vehicles
of the era like the Beetle-based Meyers Manx, the Mini Moke, and
the Citroen Mehari, The Thing was meant to be a rugged, versatile,
and fun vehicle. The Thing boasted a selection of vibrant 1970s
color schemes, a removable soft top, removable doors, a foldable
windshield, and a spartan interior ideal for easy cleanup after
spirited adventures. Many of these iconic vehicles did not escape
the 1980s, yet for those very few that did, the luckiest examples
were treated to a high-level restoration such as this example.
According to the vehicle data plate affixed to this "The Thing" was
built as a 1974 model for export in left-hand drive Typ 181
configuration. As evidenced by its current condition, The Thing has
seen substantial restorative efforts to not only return it to
excellent condition but perhaps even better than when it was
delivered new in 1974! To start the corrugated steel body has been
refinished inside and out in a deep blue paint. The interior,
designed to be spartan, has been reupholstered in black vinyl and
features a black folding convertible top. All four wheels have been
upgraded from steel to aluminum, refinished to match the vibrant
body color, and feature BF Goodrich Baja Champion All-Terrain
tires. Mechanically, the shockingly sanitary engine compartment
features VW's disarmingly simple air-cooled flat-four engine that
looks appropriately at home under the rear engine lid. Offered in
such fine fettle, it's not surprising that the odometer shows just
eight miles, likely the total since restoration.
