1973 Model Year Volkswagen Thing 181
The Volkswagen Beetle was not just the “people's car” but was a symbol of peace, love, and good times, The Beetle’s platform was used to launch many exciting cars but very few matched up to the Volkswagen 181 Thing. The Volkswagen 181 or better known as the “thing” over in the US was Volkswagen’s attempt to recreate the legendary dune bug of the 60s. With an open-top design driving, one meant total freedom and standing out from the crowd in the quirkiest way possible. Looking to spice up your weekend drive and experience open-top driving like never before? This 1973 Volkswagen 181 Thing is what you are looking for. With a reported 73,000 miles on the clock, this classic Volkswagen is reportedly up for sale by its third owner.
The Volkswagen Thing was a mishmash of multiple cars from the Volkswagen lineup. While the design was unique, the floor pans were borrowed from the legendary Karman Ghia; the design allowed for all four doors to be removable, the windshield to fold flat and the convertible roof to be removed so that you and your passengers could experience a unique driving experience. This 1973 Volkswagen Thing is finished off with a yellow exterior and sports a black “the thing” sticker running on the side of the car. The body and paint are in great condition with the Seller reporting the car have been repainted at some point. The convertible roof is finished off in black and in terms of shoes, this classic Volkswagen sports its factory wheels and hubcaps. The barebone interior on this 1973 Volkswagen Thing sports a black and yellow theme and shares features like the Wolfsburg steering wheel and meter cluster from the Volkswagen Beetle. The interior is all factory with the exception of an aftermarket JVC sound system providing tunes.
Scoot over to the back and pop the hood and you will find the legendary Volkswagen air-cooled engine in this 1973 Volkswagen Thing. The 4-cylinder air-cooled powertrain on this car sports a twin carburetor set up for added power. The rear-engined setup sends power to the car's rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission.
Officially called the Volkswagen Type 181, the Thing as it became known in the United States is a two-wheel drive, four-door convertible curio that Volkswagen made between 1968 and 1983, for civilian, as well as military use. Sharing many components with the Beetle, Microbus and Karmann Ghia, the Thing was also called the Trekker in the United Kingdom and the Safari in Mexico and South America. Over 90,000 were made, and we’ve got a 1974 Volkswagen Thing for sale today from Shandaken, New York. With under 46,000 miles on the clock, this Thing has been repainted and has a reupholstered interior as well. It’s the perfect fun vehicle to drive around on the weekends!
The Volkswagen we know today follows the same recipe of solid, workmanlike performance and reliability, and sometimes a bit too ordinary. Turn back the clock 40 odd years, however; this couldn't be farther from the truth of today; creations like the dune buggy and the "thing" gave car buyers quirky and colorful choices of motoring that would never see the light of day in modern times. The vehicle we have today is a mix of the custom restomod and features a blend of Volkswagen's quirky dune buggy and unique 181 and comes in the form of this 1973 Volkswagen Thing Restomod. With a reported 20,000 miles, this unique creation was completed last month and is reported to be a Californian street-legal car, albeit modified for off-road driving.
The Volkswagen Beetle was not just the “people's car” but was a symbol of peace, love, and good times, The Beetle’s platform was used to launch many exciting cars but very few matched up to the Volkswagen 181 Thing. The Volkswagen 181 or better known as the “thing” over in the US was Volkswagen’s attempt to recreate the legendary dune bug of the 60s. With an open-top design driving, one meant total freedom and standing out from the crowd in the quirkiest way possible. Looking to spice up your weekend drive and experience open-top driving like never before? This 1973 Volkswagen 181 Thing is what you are looking for. With a reported 73,000 miles on the clock, this classic Volkswagen is reportedly up for sale by its third owner.
This 1975 Volkswagen Type II Transporter represents a Brazilian-built example that has been comprehensively restored and converted into a Samba-style deluxe configuration. Retaining the iconic split-window-inspired aesthetic through a 23-window layout and sliding ragtop, this bus blends classic Volkswagen charm with tasteful modern upgrades. As a Volkswagen do Brasil production model, it benefits from extended Type II manufacturing beyond the German era, making it a unique and desirable interpretation of the classic Microbus platform rather than a factory Samba.
Hang on…wasn’t the Volkswagen Type 2 or Kombi a Sixties and Seventies symbol? Of course it was, and in Germany at least, it was made from 1967 to 1979. But in Brazil, production kept going until as late as 2013! That’s what this 2013 Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi Bus Last Edition is, a celebration or a last hurrah to a vehicle that shaped countless lives across the world. This bus has traveled a light 20,117 miles and currently resides in Orlando, Florida. Oh, and if you can’t tell by the photos, it’s got a Martini Racing-style livery, too! We’re told that it totes a reupholstered leather and alcantara interior, an aftermarket sound system, and more.
One of the most iconic and influential vehicles of all time, the Volkswagen Type 2 microbus is an icon of love and freedom. Popularly used as camper conversions, the Type 2 was made from 1967, all the way up to 2013 in Brazil! Yes, you could get a Type 2 well into the 2010s, despite German production ceasing in 1979 to make way for the new Transporter range. Today’s 2011 Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi Camper Bus is likely one of those Brazil-made machines, with its custom plaid camper interior, full wood camper cabinet system and built-in compact refrigerator. It’s traveled just over 110,000 miles and is up for grabs in Orlando. So if you’re the type who likes to go touring, but stay in your vehicle, this is the perfect candidate.
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