Car Spot: the VW Thing

Slow, poorly equipped, and unsafe, but people loved it …

It’s almost hard to believe that the company that makes Golfs and Jettas now, cranked out anything close to that in the 1960s and ’70s. They were defiantly counterculture making Classic Beetles, funky buses, and boxy Vanagons along with the stubby VW Thing, this week’s spot.

Born in 1969, the Type 181 was sort of a stopgap vehicle for the military looking to replace the World War II-era Type 82 Kübelwagen. This time instead of Germany, the new vehicle would serve a bunch of European countries looking for cheap, reliable, and durable transport. It was named the Europa Jeep 4×4 project using the Beetle Type 1 driveline and Transporter Type 2 suspension.

Haven’t heard of the project? Well, you’re not alone.

First off, it had no relation to the Jeep produced by Kaiser Industries and later American Motors. So, you know what happens when engineers from multiple countries are in on the development, chaos. Too many cooks in the kitchen. Long story short, it never happened. But they had a juiced-up version of the Thing.

RELATED Spot: A rare VW convertible and how I became the caretaker.

In 1971 a civilian version arrived in Europe and Mexico, while U.S. models arrived in 1972. The Type 181 is perfect for rural roads in Mexico. America loved it because it reminded them of the dune buggy-based Beetles. In a Jeep-like fashion, the removable top, folding windshield, and practically barren interior made it perfect for open-air adventuring and easy cleanup. It was powered by Volkswagen’s dependable 1.5-liter air-cooled flat-four engine, mounted in the back. A four-speed manual gearbox got power to the rear wheels.

Although VW would continue selling the Type 181 through 1980, and military models through 1983, Sales here ended after the 1975 model year, mainly because of tougher US safety regulations. Around 90,000 were built between 1969 and 1983 before production ended.

With a current overall boom for vintage SUVs like Jeeps, Land Rovers, Ford Broncos, and Toyota Land Cruisers, this bare-bones off-roader is actually experiencing a surge of interest. According to Hagerty, they range in price from just over $55k in Concours condition to around $14 grand in Fair condition. This is a great summer car. I found this one in Door County, about an hour north of Green Bay, a very touristy area of Wisconsin.

RELATED Spot: These VWs are the Piper Cub of the EAA’s fleet.

According to Hagerty, models from 1974 are slightly more desirable due to their 55 hp engines, though condition and color tend to drive value more than model year. Most valuable is the Acapulco Edition, which is decked out in a blue-and-white striped Surrey top. Cars that retain their original hard top also are popular. Since so many parts are interchangeable with the VW Beetle, Things are easy to keep on the road.

Thanks for stopping by and reading about this car spot. Be sure to check out my others and while you’re here, Mark’s new car reviews. Hope to see you next Friday for another spot along with some of its history. Have a great weekend.