 1973 Type 181 Thing |
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1974 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing news, pictures, and information | ||
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The Volkswagen Type 181 was designed as a forestry/military vehicle to be used in Europe, mainly the German Army. It was built in Europe from 1969 through 1971 after which, Mexico began producing the vehicle. In Mexico it was called 'Safari'. Pontiac had a station-wagon in the mid 1950's named 'Safari', so Volkswagen was unable to use that name in the US market. So the decision was made to label the vehicle, 'The Thing'.
The Thing was a front engine, rear-wheel drive vehicle based loosly on the platform of the Beetle. With its four doors it appeared to be much larger than a Volkswagen Beetle, however, it was only a few inches wider and weighed about the same.
A Volkswagen air-cooled, 1.6 liter flat-four provided 46 horsepower and 70 foot-pounds of torque. It was capable of achieving a top speed of around 70 miles per hour.
In 1974, Volkswagen introduced the 'Acapulco' Thing. It was basically stock, had blue and white paint, running boards, a few trim changes, a Surry top and either a soft top or a hard top.
The doors were able to be removed; no tools were necessary. The top was convertible with a fiberglass hard top available as optional equipment. With a price tag of around $3,000, it was close to one-thousand dollars more than a Volkswagen Beetle; a high price to pay for a SUV with modest horsepower and no four-wheel drive. Its ultimate demise was its inability to meet U.S. governmnet crash test standards for 'passenger cars' in 1975. It was able to avoid those requirements by being classified as a 'Multi-Purpose Vehicle' in 1973 and 1974.
In 1975 production ceased after about 25,000 examples were produced.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2005
The Thing was a front engine, rear-wheel drive vehicle based loosly on the platform of the Beetle. With its four doors it appeared to be much larger than a Volkswagen Beetle, however, it was only a few inches wider and weighed about the same.
A Volkswagen air-cooled, 1.6 liter flat-four provided 46 horsepower and 70 foot-pounds of torque. It was capable of achieving a top speed of around 70 miles per hour.
In 1974, Volkswagen introduced the 'Acapulco' Thing. It was basically stock, had blue and white paint, running boards, a few trim changes, a Surry top and either a soft top or a hard top.
The doors were able to be removed; no tools were necessary. The top was convertible with a fiberglass hard top available as optional equipment. With a price tag of around $3,000, it was close to one-thousand dollars more than a Volkswagen Beetle; a high price to pay for a SUV with modest horsepower and no four-wheel drive. Its ultimate demise was its inability to meet U.S. governmnet crash test standards for 'passenger cars' in 1975. It was able to avoid those requirements by being classified as a 'Multi-Purpose Vehicle' in 1973 and 1974.
In 1975 production ceased after about 25,000 examples were produced.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2005
 | Cabriolet Chassis Num: 1842403106 | |
| Sold for $12,100 at 2012 Russo & Steele. | ||
This example is fitted with a 1915cc four-cylinder engine delivering 120 horsepower. It has dual Dellorto 52 carburetors and new C/V axles and new headers by Kymco.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2012
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 1974
Volkswagen
models |
| Volkswagen Beetle |
| Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Honda | Jaguar |
| Nissan | Saab |
| Subaru | Toyota |
| Volvo | |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1974 |
| Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider Veloce |
| Alfa Romeo 33 TT 12 |
| BMW 2002 |
| Datsun 240Z |
| Datsun 260Z |
| Fiat 124 |
| Fiat 128 |
| Fiat 131 |
| Ford Capri RS3100 |
| Lotus Europa JPS |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1974 |
| AMC Javelin ($3,000-$3,300) |
| Triumph Spitfire 1500 ($3,000-$3,000) |
| MG Midget III ($2,999-$2,999) |
Average Auction Sale: $13,901 |
| Volkswagen: 1971-1980 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Volkswagen |
| Manufacturer Website |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Russo and Steele - Scottsdale |
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| 2005 Hilton Head Island Concours Car Club Display |
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| Beetle CC | Corrado EOS | Golf Jetta | Karmann-Ghia Passat | Routan Scirocco | Thing Tiguan | Touareg Type 4 | Van/Camper |
| 1973 Type 181 Thing |
