This Volkswagen Thing got away, but there are more like it here.

This 1974 Volkswagen Thing was reportedly acquired by the seller in 2020 and underwent a subsequent mechanical and cosmetic reconditioning that included replacing the floor pans, servicing the 1.6-liter flat-four engine, four-speed manual transaxle, brakes, and suspension, and refinishing the exterior in orange. Features include a white removable hardtop, removable side curtains, black vinyl upholstery, 14″ steel wheels, and folding rear seats. This Type 181 is now offered with spare parts and a clean North Carolina title in the seller’s name.

1974 Volkswagen Thing

The body was removed from the pan and refinished in orange under current ownership. Features a removable white hardtop, black bumpers, a fold-down windshield, fender-mounted turn signals, and removable doors. The driver mirror is broken, the reverse and license plate lights are inoperative, and the seller states the removable side curtains require replacement. Close-up photos presented in the gallery show body filler and rust on the bottoms of the rocker panels and sanding marks and blemishes in the paint and bodywork around the car.

1974 Volkswagen Thing

The 14″ steel wheels are mounted with 185/75 Hankook Optimo H724 whitewall tires. Stopping power is provided by a red-finished drum at each corner. The brake master cylinder and brake lines were reportedly replaced during the refurbishment.

1974 Volkswagen Thing

The front seats and split-folding rear bench are upholstered in black vinyl. Amenities include a roll cage, a heater, and lap belts. The military-style map light and glovebox light are inoperative.

1974 Volkswagen Thing

The four-spoke steering wheel features a Wolfsburg crest and an 8-ball brodie knob and frames a 100-mph speedometer with an inset fuel-level gauge. The five-digit odometer shows 75k miles, approximately 3k of which were added under current ownership. The military-style voltage gauge is inoperative. Total mileage is unknown.

1974 Volkswagen Thing

The air-cooled 1.6L flat-four was factory rated at 46 horsepower and 72 lb-ft of torque. The cooling tin, fuel lines, and heater ducts were replaced during the refurbishment.

1974 Volkswagen Thing

Power is routed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle, and the clutch and CV joints are said to have been replaced. The seller states the transaxle slips out of reverse. The floorpans were replaced, and rust-through is visible in areas of the central tunnel and framehead.

Filed under: vw

Auction Result

High Bid USD $11,250 (Reserve Not Met)
Auction Ended November 25, 2023 at 12:30PM PT
Bids 44
You are not connected to real-time updates. Attempting to connect.
Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished.
Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished.
Your real-time updates could not be connected. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished.
Reconnected! Checking for missed updates…

17 Comments

Please enable JavaScript to engage in the discussion on this site.

BaT Essentials

Seller: TomFriend
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina 28210
Listing Details
  • Chassis: 1842321732
  • 75k Miles Shown, TMU
  • 1.6-Liter Flat-Four
  • Four-Speed Manual Transaxle
  • Orange Paint
  • White Removable Hardtop
  • Black Vinyl Upholstery
  • Drum Brakes
  • 14" Steel Wheels
  • Roll Cage
  • Folding Rear Seats
Private Party or Dealer: Private Party
Lot #128812