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The Volkswagen 'Thing', which has mechanicals based on the Type 1 Beetle, had its roots in a military project. Production began in 1969 in Germany, with early units delivered to the German Army, as well as Dutch and Belgian forces. Civilian sales began in 1971, by which time Mexican production had started. Marketing in the U.S. commenced in 1972
The 'Thing' used a Karmann Ghia floorpan and 1,500 and 1,600cc versions of the air-cooled flat four-cylinder engine. The transmissions were also VW-sourced four-speed manual.
Civilian production came to an end in 1980 although production continued through 1938 with production exceeding more than 909,000 examples. Difficulty in meeting safety requirements resulted in withdrawal from the United States market after 1974.
This Pumpkin Orange 'Thing' was acquired by its current owner in 2013. It has been given a recent cosmetic refresh that included replacing the lower rocker panels with new-old-stock, repainting the entire car, and fitting a new tassel ringed Bimini top. The engine is a 1,584cc air-cooled overhead valve flat four-cylinder engine fitted with a Single Solex 34 PICT 3 carburetor. There are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes and four-speed manual transmission.By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2017
The 'Thing' used a Karmann Ghia floorpan and 1,500 and 1,600cc versions of the air-cooled flat four-cylinder engine. The transmissions were also VW-sourced four-speed manual.
Civilian production came to an end in 1980 although production continued through 1938 with production exceeding more than 909,000 examples. Difficulty in meeting safety requirements resulted in withdrawal from the United States market after 1974.
This Pumpkin Orange 'Thing' was acquired by its current owner in 2013. It has been given a recent cosmetic refresh that included replacing the lower rocker panels with new-old-stock, repainting the entire car, and fitting a new tassel ringed Bimini top. The engine is a 1,584cc air-cooled overhead valve flat four-cylinder engine fitted with a Single Solex 34 PICT 3 carburetor. There are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes and four-speed manual transmission.By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2017
2017 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours
Sale Price :
USD $11,550
1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Volkswagen Type 181 Thing
(Data based on Model Year 1973 sales)
1973 Volkswagen Thing Convertible Chassis#: 1832421583e Sold for USD$18,700 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Convertible Chassis#: 1832839750e Sold for USD$18,700 2023 Mecum : Chattanooga | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Chassis#: 1832841804 Sold for USD$30,800 2023 Mecum : Monterey | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Chassis#: 1833024265 Sold for USD$18,150 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023 | |
1973 Volkswagen Type 181 'Thing' Chassis#: 1833024537 Sold for USD$33,600 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Chassis#: 1833024563 Sold for USD$11,500 2022 GAA : November 2022 | |
1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing Convertible Chassis#: 1833022899 Sold for USD$17,360 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Convertible Sold for USD$19,800 2022 Mecum Indy | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Sold for USD$29,700 2022 Mecum : Glendale | |
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 1832755214 Sold for USD$23,100 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 1832840434E Sold for USD$18,700 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 1832943924 Sold for USD$26,400 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Sold for USD$26,400 2022 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Chassis#: 1832841804E Sold for USD$31,900 2021 Mecum : Monterey | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Sold for USD$24,000 2021 GAA : February 2021 | |
1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing Chassis#: 1832840262 Sold for USD$28,000 2020 RM Sothebys : The Elkhart Collection | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Sold for USD$18,700 2020 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special | |
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 1832944442 Sold for USD$9,350 2020 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, AZ | |
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 1832944402 Sold for USD$16,500 2020 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, AZ | |
1973 Volkswagen Thing Sold for USD$22,500 2019 GAA : November 2019 |
Volkswagen Type 181 Things That Failed To Sell At Auction
1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1973 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia Campmobile | 2342072358 | 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 1833023394E | 2022 Mecum : Monterey | $17,000 | ||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2020 Mecum : Indy | $17,500 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing Type 181 | 2018 Mecum : Kansas City | $9,000 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing Convertible 4 Door | 2017 Russo & Steele : Newport Beach | ||||
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING 2 DOOR | 2017 McCormick's # 62 | $11,000 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2017 Carlisle Auctions : Lakeland Winter | ||||
1973 Volkswagen Thing Convertible | 2016 Mecum : Harrisburg | $10,500 | |||
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING | 470586519085340 | 2016 GPK Auctions Atlantic City | $16,500 | ||
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING | 2016 McCormick's Palm Springs # 60 | $13,000 | |||
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING | 2016 McCormick's Auction # 60 | $13,000 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2016 Silver Auction Arizona in January 2016 | $8,600 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2016 Russo & Steele : Arizona | ||||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 1832943533 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $17,000 | ||
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING | 2015 Mecum Harrisburg | $19,000 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2015 Mecum : Kissimmee | $8,000 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2014 Mecum : Indianapolis | $8,500 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2013 Mecum Auction Chicago | $16,000 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2013 Mecum : Schaumburg | $16,000 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 1832944574 | 2013 Silver Auction Ft McDowell, Arizona | $7,500 | ||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2012 Mecum Auctions Kansas City MO | $10,000 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2012 Silver Sun Valley | $7,500 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 1833022883 | 2012 Russo and Steele Scottsdale | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing | 2011 Silver Auction Sun Valley | $5,800 | |||
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING 2 DOOR | 2010 McCormick's Auction #49 Palm Springs, CA | $8,500 | |||
1973 Volkswagen Thing Convertible | 2010 Mecum Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction | $19,000 | |||
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING | 2010 Silver Auction Arizona in January | $9,600 | |||
1973 Volkswagen THING | 2009 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions November 22, 2009 | $8,500 | |||
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING | 1832420890 | 2009 Silver Auction Hot August Nights | $11,000 | ||
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING | 1832420890 | 2009 Silver Auction Jackson Hole | $15,000 |
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1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing
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