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1974 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing Cabriolet

  • Chassis Number: 1842542277E
The Volkswagen Thing was built from 1968 through 1983 and was called several names in various regions including Kurierwagen in West Germany, the Trekker in the United Kingdom, the Safari in Mexico and South America, and Pescaccia in Italy. The Thing shared mechanical components with many of its stablemates including the Type 1 Beetle, the Microbus, and the Karmann Ghia.

In similar fashion to the Fiat Jolly, Volkswagen offered the Acapulco Edition, which was built from May through July of 1974 with around 400 of these examples built. All examples were built in blue and white configuration, had black running boards and unique mounting plates inside the fenders. They were given a two-tone stripped vinyl seat motif and a surrey top.

This particular example is a Acapulco Edition. It has received a full pan-off restoration returning it to 'like-new' condition. It has a DuPont base coat/clear coat, a rebuilt motor, the signature surrey top, and new upholstery. The engine is a 96.7 cubic-inch overhead valve opposed four-cylinder engine offering 46 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2017

2017 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Pacific Grove Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $25,000-USD $50,000 
Sale Price :
USD $35,750

1974 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Volkswagen Type 181 Thing

(Data based on Model Year 1974 sales)
1974 Volkswagen Type 181 The Thing
Chassis#: 1842543056 E
Sold for USD$24,640
  2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing
Chassis#: 1842544390
Sold for USD$30,800
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing
Chassis#: 1842467994
Sold for USD$37,400
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing
Chassis#: 1842468524
Sold for USD$17,600
  2023 Mecum : Monterey
 
1974 VOLKSWAGEN THING CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 1842320974
Sold for USD$30,800
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
 
1974 VOLKSWAGEN THING ACAPULCO EDITION CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 1842544260
Sold for USD$23,100
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible
Sold for USD$12,100
  2023 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible
Sold for USD$16,500
  2022 Mecum : Las Vegas
 
1974 VOLKSWAGEN THING ACAPULCO EDITION CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 1842543039
Sold for USD$44,000
  2022 Barrett-Jackson : Houston
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing
Sold for USD$23,100
  2022 Mecum : Fountain City
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible
Sold for USD$31,900
  2022 Mecum : Orlando
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible
Sold for USD$34,100
  2022 Mecum : Houston
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing Custom
Sold for USD$29,700
  2022 Mecum : Houston
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing
Sold for USD$30,800
  2022 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible
Sold for USD$27,500
  2022 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing
Sold for USD$15,400
  2021 Mecum : Las Vegas
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing
Sold for USD$14,850
  2021 Mecum : Dallas
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing
Sold for USD$17,600
  2021 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing
Sold for USD$20,900
  2020 Mecum : Las Vegas
 
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible
Sold for USD$25,300
  2020 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special
 

Volkswagen Type 181 Things That Failed To Sell At Auction

1974 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2020 Mecum : Indy$19,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2019 Mecum : Kissimmee$7,500  
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible 2019 Mecum : Kissimmee$9,000  
1974 VOLKSWAGEN THING 4 DOOR 2018 McCormick's # 65$16,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2018 Carlisle Auction : Fall Carlisle   
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2018 Mecum : Denver$11,500  
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2018 Carlisle Auction : Spring   
1974 Volkswagen Thing Type 181 Convertible 2018 Mecum : Kissimmee$10,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible 2018 Mecum : Kissimmee$17,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall $16,000$22,000
1974 VW Thing 2017 Silver Auction Arizona in March 2017   
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2017 Silver Auction Arizona in March 2017$10,000  
1974 VOLKSWAGEN TYPE 18 THING 2017 Leake Auction OKC Fairgrounds$8,500  
1974 Volkswagen Thing18425439652017 Mecum : Los Angeles$14,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing1842542542E2016 Mecum : Anaheim$10,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2016 Mecum : Dallas$27,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2016 Mecum Indianapolis$19,000  
1974 VOLKSWAGEN THING CVTBLE 2016 McCormick's Palm Springs # 60$11,000  
1974 VOLKSWAGEN THING CVTBLE 2016 McCormick's Auction # 60$11,000  
1974 VOLKSWAGEN ACAPULCO THING 2015 McCormick's Auction # 59$14,000  
1974 VOLKSWAGEN THING1842542542E2015 Mecum Anaheim$11,000  
1974 VOLKSWAGEN THING 2015 Mecum Anaheim$19,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible 2015 Auctions America Auburn Fall$9,600  
1974 Volkswagen Thing Acapulco18425426482014 Mecum : Anaheim$22,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2014 Silver Auction Sun Valley$7,500  
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2014 Leake Auction : Tulsa$29,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2014 Leake Auction : Tulsa$16,000  
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible 2014 Auctions America Auburn Spring$8,500  
1974 Volkswagen Thing 2014 Silver Auction DAA Big Sky$5,100  
1974 Volkswagen Thing Convertible 2014 Mecum Kissimmee$12,000  

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1974 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing vehicle thumbnail image  1974 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing vehicle thumbnail image  
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1974 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing

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