conceptcarz.com

1972 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing

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 rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle based loosely 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 hardtop.

The doors were able to be removed; no tools were necessary. The top was convertible with a fiberglass hardtop 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 an SUV with modest horsepower and no four-wheel drive. Its ultimate demise was its inability to meet U.S. government 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 | Oct 2015

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1972 Type 181 Thing
$3,000-$37,935
1972 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing Base Price : $3,000

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1972 Volkswagen Models
$1,845 - $2,400

Thing

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
94.49 in.
4 cyl., 1679.00 CID., 85.00hp
$3,000 - $3,000
94.49 in.
4 cyl., 96.72 CID., 46.00hp
4 cyl., 102.46 CID., 76.00hp
$3,000 - $3,000
94.49 in.
4 cyl., 96.72 CID., 46.00hp
$3,000 - $3,000

Related Automotive News

Most Powerful Acura Ever, All-Electric 2024 ZDX Qualifies for $7,500 U.S. EV Tax Credit; Now Available to Order

Most Powerful Acura Ever, All-Electric 2024 ZDX Qualifies for $7,500 U.S. EV Tax Credit; Now Available to Order

All-new, all-electric Acura ZDX Type S produces 544 lb.-ft. of max torque and up to 500 hp1 Every 2024 ZDX anticipated to qualify for the full federal %247,500 tax credit Clients can ord...
The Ultimate Beach Cruiser: The 1974 Volkswagen Acapulco Thing

The Ultimate Beach Cruiser: The 1974 Volkswagen Acapulco Thing

The Volkswagen Type 181 – commonly referred to as The Thing – has always been a fun summer classic for drivers who enjoy a cool and wildly original type of ride. The removable doors, retractable soft top and folding windshield provided a driving experience...
New Go-Anywhere Trail And Active Models Take Ford Transit Range Into New Territory

New Go-Anywhere Trail And Active Models Take Ford Transit Range Into New Territory

Ford announces new Trail and Active Transit variants that deliver distinctive design, surprising capability and legendary Transit toughness Intelligent All-Wheel Drive for bold, rugged, capable Transit Trail and mechanical limited-slip differential...

BMW ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR ALL-NEW X5 SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLE

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – June 24th, 2013 … It isnt often that an automobile manufacturer gets to launch an entirely new vehicle segment, but thats exactly what BMW did in 1999 when it introduced the worlds first Sports Activity Vehicle – the BMW X5. Two...
Edsel Ford's Speedster Stars at 'The Amelia'

Edsel Ford's Speedster Stars at 'The Amelia'

Edsel Fords continental car, a custom boattail speedster, will take its rightful place in the Sports Car Class of the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours dElegance. In the shape of Edsels seminal speedster is the genesis of Fords legendary design...