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1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing SUV

  • Chassis Number: 1832755533E
  • Engine Number: M0035780
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

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 Type 181 Thing image  1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing image  
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.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1973 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia Campmobile23420723582024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale   
1973 Volkswagen Thing1833023394E2022 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 THING4705865190853402016 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 Thing18329435332015 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 Thing18329445742013 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 Thing18330228832012 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 THING18324208902009 Silver Auction Hot August Nights$11,000  
1973 VOLKSWAGEN THING18324208902009 Silver Auction Jackson Hole$15,000  

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1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing

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Other Volkswagen Type 181 Thing model years

1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing Vehicle Profiles

1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing vehicle information
SUV
Chassis #: 1833024537
1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing vehicle information
SUV
Chassis #: 1833024537 E
1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing vehicle information
SUV
Chassis #: 1832755533E
Engine #: M0035780
1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing vehicle information
SUV
Chassis #: 1833027705E
1973 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing vehicle information
SUV
Chassis #: 183015428
Engine #: AM009473