1973 VW Thing For Sale
This Oregon based 1973 Type 181 VW "Thing" is a very clean and very fun
adventure vehicle. Be it a trip to the mountains, a cruise of the beach
or even your normal errands, when you are in a VW Thing...its an adventure.
The VW Thing started out with utilitarian use in mind.
Used by the military and such, the goal was a strong and simple people mover
that could handle all terrain and be configurable in many ways.
Top up, top down, doors on, doors off, windshield up or folded flat, the Type 181
is the Swiss Army Knife of the Volkswagen scene for sure.
In 1973 and 1974 the "Thing" was marketed in the US and was offered
in bright colors and fun options hoping to attract fun loving drivers.
They certainly found some buyers of course, but the model was discontinued in America
after than with just 28,930 examples sold. They have been a bit of a cult classic
ever since and have been highly coveted and enjoyed by the off roaders and beach goers.
This example has a lot of great options such as the gas heater under the hood
and the minimalistic "brush bar" on the front bumper.
The uncommon fiberglass hardtop is here as well as slip in side curtains.
With top and curtains in place, the car has a whole different attitude and usefulness.
Weather is not an issue when she is buttoned up tight.
Or strip the doors and top off, fold that windshield down and let mother nature have her way with you!
The current owner bought this from a neighbor who was just the second owner since new.
The car was in need of some paint work but was extremely solid and complete.
A fresh respray in the original Orange was applied.
New window seals and body rubber installed.
The rare Fiberjet hardtop was refinished and new pinch weld rubber trim fitted to the body along
the top edge. Bumpers and interior floors were cleaned and treated and finished in
super strong Por 15 gloss black to keep things solid and sound for years to come.
The wide 5 white steel wheels have a cool look and work well with the top color.
Some may prefer the original wheels with hubcaps, but that is a simple swap.
More importantly the fenders and body remain unmodified , which is a very positive thing.
So many of these have been cut and clearanced for off road use
and many of them have been badly battered through their adventures.
This one is super straight and stock. Most of its life and miles
has been spent being towed behind a motorhome...an easy life for sure.
The rubber pinch weld across the top finishes things off nicely.
Being a hardtop car, there is no soft top frame or hardware.
These are available out there, but the mounting spots would need
to be put back in place in order to fit it all.
There is a stone chip in the windshield as you can see in this pic...but it remains stable.
Stock 1600cc dual port engine is a very strong runner and mechanically
the car is turn key and ready to fly. New carburetor, electronic ignition, coil and more.
Nice clean engine room as well.
The floors are the originals and are solid and clean.
A Por 15 coating on the top side has finished them off nicely.
Such a fun ride!
The nice four point roll bar fits perfectly under the hardtop
and provides a little protection and something for the passengers to grab.
Bugs in your teeth and wind in your hair with that windshield down.
I have seen quite a few folks fashion a simple vinyl top from the windshield back to the roll bar
to give a bit of shade from the sun. Heck...even lash up some natural grass thatch for the full beach effect.
Interior has been redone and new fiber seat pads as original, not foam.
Firm and comfortable and they look great too.
Rear seat back folds forward for cargo duties...just another feature of this rolling
Swiss Army Knife of a car.
The owner made some amazing wood duckboards for the floors and rear deck.
These are beautifully finished hard maple wood .
Ready for anything!
Lights and wipers work, good tires and a clear title.
The roll bar is a bolt in affair, so you could remove it if desired.
New taillight lenses installed.
It has the big rubber baby buggy bumpers on the back.
Single "quiet pack" exhaust underneath.
Nice looking car!
And oh the places it will take you!
Wow...look at that scenery!
The car is located about an hour away from Portland Oregon.
Fly in and drive it home and have a truly memorable adventure.
Shipping of course is available for the less adventurous.
Beautiful!
The chassis underneath is original an untouched.
Looks very solid and straight with the original undercoating present.
A few spots where that undercoat has chipped away and speckling of surface rust
but no signs of any "cancer" from what I see here.
The owner stated that the only real rust he found was a spot in the glove box
that at one point had a bit of carpet slipped in to keep the contents quiet.
That held in a little moisture and caused a small area of rust. This has now of course been
treated and stabilized. Underneath here though, nothing to hide, this is all original metal
and its looking pretty nice to me!
Definitely a fun car for its owner and its had a good life.
Local shows and mountain drives. Well kept and cared for.
We all need some fun things in our lives...and there is not much more fun than
a bright orange "Thing" to put a smile on your face!
Asking
$25,000
For More Info...CALL
951 795-1175
Or Email oldbug@earthlink.net