1974 Type 181 Thing  |
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1973 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 | May 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 | May 2005
 |  |  | SUV Chassis Num: 183015428 Engine Num: AM009473 |
| Sold for $17,050 at 2006 Worldwide Auctioneers. | |||
The example shown carries chassis number 183015428 and engine number AM009473. It is finished in white with the interior finished in black vinyl with bucket front seats and bench rear seats. It was expected to fetch between $12,000-$18,000. That estimation proved to be accurate, as it was sold at $17,050.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2006
 |  | SUV Chassis Num: 1833027705E |
| Sold for $9,900 at 2007 Worldwide Auctioneers. | ||
This vehicle has been treated to a restoration since new. It is powered by a 1679cc four-cylinder air-cooled engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. It has removable doors and body panels adding to the allure and versatility of the vehicle. This car has a unique custom top and tonneau cover which helps transforms this 'Thing' from car into a pick-up style truck.
At auction the car was sold for under the estimated value, netting $9,900 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2007
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 1973
Volkswagen
models |
| Volkswagen Beetle |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Honda | Jaguar |
| Nissan | Saab |
| Subaru | Toyota |
| Volvo | |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1973 |
| Dodge Challenger ($3,010-$3,010) |
| Volvo 142 ($3,000-$3,000) |
| Triumph Spitfire ($3,000-$3,000) |
| Saab 96 ($3,000-$3,000) |
| Pontiac LeMans ($2,920-$3,430) |
Average Auction Sale: $14,265 |
| Volkswagen: 1971-1980 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Volkswagen |
| Manufacturer Website |
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| Beetle CC | Corrado EOS | Golf Jetta | Karmann-Ghia Passat | Routan Scirocco | Thing Tiguan | Touareg Type 4 | Van/Camper |
| 1974 Type 181 Thing |
