Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present this very rare and unique
highly collectible 1974 Volkswagen 'Acapulco Edition' Thing in
virtually completely unrestored and all original condition from new
and showing only 41,650 original miles.1 of 400 Acapulco Type 181
built in Mexico in 1974 onlyAll original survivor!Striped Surrey
TopFold Down WindshieldCorrect Original Running Boards bolted to
threaded inserts within the sills14" Steel Wheels with chrome
coversAir cooled 1.6L 4 cyl engine4 spd manual transaxlePushbutton
AM radioSplit front seatsFolding rear seatsTool kitFender mounted
turn signalsDual side mirrorsRemovable doorsOriginal correct
exhaust and bumper guardsThe original and authentic 'Acapulco
Thing' was only built from May to July 1974 with a mere 400
produced in total. All were White with Blue accents on the front
hood, the rocker panels, the bumpers and the dashboard. The seats
were upholstered in a blue-and-white striped fabric, and the same
fabric was used for the standard surrey top that was stretched over
a metal tube frame. This car is a very rare true time capsule with
its original paint (with the exception of drivers front fender due
to a minor scratch years ago) which still presents very well albeit
with a little fade from age and only some very minor scratches,
chips, and imperfection from use over the years only noticeable
upon close inspection.This is an extremely solid and rust free,
with the exception of one very small bubble in front of the right
rear fender and behind the drivers front fender (close up pictures
in gallery) Original interior in great shape for its age, although
the Blue is now showing some fading in front. The original floor
mats are intact except for the passenger rear which has gone
missing. All gauges, wipers, lights, and the radio work great! Runs
very well and drives out nice. Shifts easily and the brakes feel
great. Look close at all the pictures, there are so many little
tags, stamps and details that this Acapulco Thing retains because
it IS original with low miles.Restored examples lose all of those
original and essential details for the VW enthusiast and
collector.Many people restore their regular Things to look like the
legendary 'Acapulco Thing' but will inevitably miss the essential
original 'Acapulco' details, so dont get fooled by the fakes! This
is the real deal and they are only original once! The Volkswagen
Type 181 "Kurierwagen", popularly known in the United Kingdom as
the Trekker, in the United States as the Thing and in Mexico as the
Safari, was a small military vehicle produced by Volkswagen from
1969 to 1983, although civilian sales stopped in 1980. It was based
in part on Volkswagen's Type 1 (Beetle), and was a continuation and
improvement over the Kbelwagen, which had been used by the German
military during World War II. The name Kbelwagen is an abbreviation
of Kbelsitzwagen, meaning "bucket-seat car". Mexico began producing
them after 1972. Civilian sales began in Europe and Mexico during
1971 and 1973 was the first year sold in the US Market and the
model was dropped from the American lineup in 1975. The 181 has
become something of a cult classic, due in no small measure to its
angular styling, which leaves no question as to its strictly
utilitarian purpose. The doors are removable without tools, and the
windshield folds down, similar to a Jeep. The interior is a perfect
illustration of form following function, and its painted steel door
panels and split, flat bench seats look appropriately post-modern,
industrial chic today. Highest prices are paid for unrestored low
miles examples of course. This rare 'Acapulco' example has
absolutely no history of any rust and obviously was always well
maintained and looked after! This car must be seen and driven to be
fully appreciated - the engine is extremely strong and responsive
with excellent oil pressure and no noticeable oil leaks and which
sounds absolutely magnificent, the 4 speed manual transmission
shifts smoothly through all the gears, including reverse, the car
brakes and steers great and the engine temperature always remains
cool. This must be one of the finest daily driving example's
available of this collectible and highly desirable 1974 VW
'Acapulco' Thing - a beautifully unrestored and rust free example
in rare turn-key ready daily appreciating, daily driving and daily
head-turning condition of an all time legendary cult classic!
