NO RESERVE 1974 Volkswagen Thing Type 181
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1974
- Make: Volkswagen
- Model: Thing
- VIN: 1842403038
- Mileage: 16,123mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Beige
- Seller: carparcusa
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Location: Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0018965
The Volkswagen Type 181 was originally developed as a utility vehicle for the West German Army and was instead marketed towards civilians, offered as the “Thing” in the United States. This 1974 example was purchased by the current owner in 1982 and subsequently received a nut and bolt restoration including a repaint in a Porsche-derived Almond Beige color, a rebuild of the 1600cc engine, new fenders, and a new retractable top. A lifelong Southern California car, this meticulously maintained VW Thing is now being offered for auction accompanied by well-documented service history and a collection of manuals.
This Type 181 has been refinished in a Porsche-derived Almond Beige color, fitted with a new black convertible top, and equipped with replacement fenders sourced from The Thing Shop in Arizona. Other features include removable side windows, a folding windshield, black-painted bumpers, a tow ball, black headlight rings, black VW badging, dual mirrors, and black-painted 14” aftermarket 5-spoke wheels mounted with newer General Grabber all-terrain tires.
The interior has been restored with new black vinyl upholstery for the low-back front bucket seats and rear bench. The floors are lined with perforated rubber mats over a painted pan with drain holes. Features include seatback storage pockets, a red floor-mounted shift lever with a color-coordinated shift pattern on the knob, and a VDO speedometer.
The air-cooled 1600cc flat-four engine was rebuilt using original German parts and is said to produce up to 46 HP and 72 lb.-ft of torque. The rear wheels are driven through a 4-speed manual transmission. The seller reports that this Thing has been serviced meticulously under the care of its longtime owner with a collection of documented maintenance history accompanying the sale.
This sale will include owner’s books, repair manuals, a binder of service records, and a clean title.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $18,250
- Auction End: May 19, 2022 08:07:51PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 22
Comments (50)
Wow stolen ! Did they wear a mask?
Sold for $18,250
Thanks! This will fit right in!! Check us out at CentralClassicCars.com
congrats CCCltd.
Looks like a great deal for the buyer. Congratulations
Thank you I'm driving, but if the winner's deal falls through. Please let me know and I'll buy at my bid price.
Congrats to CCCLtd, great buy!
@Porsche415 Well, you can still bid!
oh,....I thought I got it.; GLWA
wow, this is the daily commuter I need.
Bid in the amount of $18,250
Bid in the amount of $18,000
Bid in the amount of $17,750
Bid in the amount of $17,500
Bid in the amount of $17,250
Bid in the amount of $17,000
Bid in the amount of $16,750
Bid in the amount of $16,500
Bid in the amount of $16,000
Bid in the amount of $15,500
Bid in the amount of $15,250
@leigh Yes, the car has a clean CA Title with tags valid till September 2022.
Does the car have a current California title, with current tags and plates?
Bid in the amount of $15,000
Bid in the amount of $10,000
Bid in the amount of $9,000
Bid in the amount of $8,500
Bid in the amount of $7,500
Driving and shifting videos have been added, as well as pictures of the softtop with side screens and also the underside of the vehicle.
Let me know if there are questions!! Happy to reply.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Bid in the amount of $7,000
This was done perfectly
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Hi,
Could you please add a couple of photos of the roof up and the side curtain windows in. Also a photo of each side curtain windows.
Thank you
Is the mileage shown the mileage since the rebuild of motor? How long ago was the engine rebuilt? Thanks
Bid in the amount of $5,750
Bid in the amount of $5,500
@carparcusa, thanks for the response to My Engine question and your 2 different accounts clarification!
If you don't mind, I'll continue using you original "carpacusa" for our future communications.
Best,
Efariab
@Efariab To avoid confusion, please note that I have two accounts with Pcarmarket, a business and a personal (P1800) account, the business is selling the Thing but I can place comments from either account.
@Efariab Yes, the engine is the original one as far as we've been told.
@carparcusa lol I’m getting old thanks for the reminder on the year for the smog. GLWTA I have a 1976 Thing. I’m curious to see how yours does then I’ll make my decision.
Bid in the amount of $5,000
@carparcusa,
Is rebuilt Engine the original one that came in the car from 1974 ??
Bid in the amount of $3,250
@Coachmule Year 1974 is exempt for CA Smog, so no worries.
@carparcusa,
Thanks ???
Do you have a California smog for this car ?
Bid in the amount of $1,420
More underside pictures and driving video in the making.
Thanks.
Hi there SELLER,
I love the car would and I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the VW Thing !
Would you PLEASE post a driving video ( going through the gears, etc.) and some picture of the under carriage, suspension and drive train !
Also a question here, is there any rust anywhere in the car ??
Thanks in advance .