This 1972 Volkswagen Type 181 Thing is a stock example with less than 53k miles. Much recent work has been done to make this one a reliable turnkey driver including a top end rebuild, brake and carb service, and a new battery. Subject to a well-done older restoration, body and chassis show no signs of rust repair according to the seller. All-original body panels, bolt-on fenders and interchangeable doors were resprayed in their original shade of Pumpkin Orange. It is currently registered in the sellers name and comes with records for work done and a clean Michigan title.
Brought into the US by a VW restorer in Indiana, it was restored and sold to a couple who used it for many years as a beach buggy and bar hopper on Marco Island in South Florida it even retains a Ft. Meyers Nude Beach parking permit. Pumpkin Orange was one of four colors available and looks glossy with light swirl marks. Built at VWs plant in Puebla, Mexico, pre-1973 Things are increasingly harder to find in the US and feature subtle differences like slim taillights from the VW Bus in place of the bulky 1973-74 versions familiar to most.
Imperfections include touched up peeling spots on the hoods leading edge and possible rust forming on the folding windshields interior passenger side lower frame, visible in the gallery below.
The bikini top looks to have been replaced and is in good condition aside from some light water staining. Window skirts look older but still serviceable, showing some wear and discoloration in the clear plastic.
Original wheels wear chrome caps, beauty rings and modern radials with approximately 2,000 miles. Stock black bumpers look straight and undamaged, with exhaust tips properly routed through holes in the rear bumper.
The well-kept painted sheet metal interior looks complete down to the exposed wiper motor and shift pattern decal on dash. A single stock gauge includes a km/h speedometer and working odometer reading 84,800km, just shy of 52,900 miles.
Additions over time have included a dash-mounted tach, coco floor mats, a wicker basket, surf-shop stickers, and a CD player with two Pioneer speakers. Tight-fitting vinyl upholstery has been replaced at some point and is in good condition. Issues are few: the right blinker flashes too quickly even though no bulbs are out, the radio forgets station presets when turned off, and the wipers are not currently working.
Out back, the original air-cooled, 1584-cc 46 hp engine was recently given a documented $3,200 head rebuild and other items including a Pertronix electronic ignition and new distributor cap, rotor, plugs, wires, fuel filter, seals, gaskets, oil and filter. Compression and leakdown tests were good and the bottom end shows minimal wear, indicating a past rebuild according to the vintage VW and Porsche specialist who did the work.
An additional $4,400 has been spent in the last three years for parts and work including new battery, carb re-jetting and cleaning, timing adjustment, oil and filter changes, new ball joints, new wheel cylinders and bleeding of the four-wheel, dual-circuit drum brake system. The seller says the Thing runs and drives great with no issues.
Underneath, pans and running gear look good with minimal corrosion. The four-speed manual transmission has been treated to new mounts, seals, and mainshaft, and runs through early swing axles with reduction gearing as opposed to the double CV joint setup used by later US-spec Type 181s.
Included in the sale are spares such as a never-installed spare tire carrier, parts catalogs, extensive service records from the past three years passed on from the previous owner, receipts for the recent top end work, current registration, and a clean Michigan title.
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