Some years ago I had a chance to take a ride in a friends "hopped up" VW Thing and instantly decided that I needed to have one. Cruising around in the sunshine with the top down, was awesome! So I began a quiet search for a Thing project. The idea was to have something fun to ride around in on nice weekends and to take on camping trips.
After a couple of years I stumbled across one that I thought would fit the bill. Of the two years imported to the USA ('73 & '74) it was the 1973 Thing that I liked most. The '73 model lacks the side vents and has a gas heater allowing for more flexibility with engine options. Admittedly, the car was very rough, but most of the hard to find parts were there. So, I bought it. This page will chronicle its progress.
The following pictures were taken on a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon, back on 11/08/08. These pictures show the poor condition of the car at the time I bought it. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this car appeared to be an original Wisconsin survivor. In this case, the term "survivor" is a relative term. While many would have probably walked away or hauled this to the scrap yard, in my mind the simple fact is there aren't many of these cars left, and this one was worth saving.
In the pictures above you can see some of the harder to find parts such as the dealer-installed roll bar, the original BN4 gas heater (unique to the '73 model year; '74 switched to "fresh-air" heater boxes), convertible top frame, original wind shield wiper arms and motor, OEM radio, map light, knobs and more.
The front end is solid and there's no evidence that the car has been in an accident. The inner panels in the spare tire area and fender areas are completely straight and original. The body has some rust in the lower body panel areas, which can be repaired using new steel replacement panels from Danish suppliers. The hood has some surface rust, but is otherwise in excellent shape.
Three of the four doors have now been replaced, as has the rear decklid. They were too rusted to save. All four fenders can be saved with some work, but I'm keeping my eye open for good used units. The bumpers were in good shape, but the seller damaged the front bumper prior to my picking the car up. So, I'm keeping an eye out for for a replacement (I might be able to repair it - we'll see).
What you don't see in these pictures is the floor pan. It is virually gone - rusted through completely. The body must come off the pan and two new pan halves welded into place. I've already sourced a set of pan halves and hope to begin work on the pan over the winter months.
The car came with its original "AM" AS41 engine and Type 181-specific transmission. All lights and wiring appear intact.
Other Parts and Work:
A welcome addition to the Thing was the start of the interior upgrades. Pictured below is the Thing's steering wheel. It measures approximately 15" in diameter and has a leather rim and a polished aluminum center. The adapter hub is a billet piece of polished aluminum, and will look great in the completed cockpit.
This page was last updated: January 15, 2012
Thanks for checking out my Type 181 VW Thing page.
An exploded view of a 1973 Type 181 VW Thing.
Accumulating Parts for the Restoration and Build Up:
This project will take time to complete. I have assembled a nice "stash" of parts for this car already, and I'm always looking for more. From engine and chasis parts to tires and wheels, this "thing" will get it all, from "top" to bottom.
Exhaust System:
The first part to arrive was a very hard to find part. I located a gently used original S&S header and quiet pack exhaust system. This system is designed specifically for the VW Thing. This particular system is unique to the 1973 model year, without provisions for heater boxes. The system features a standard 4 into 1 header design measuring 1 3/8" diameter tubing. The dual quiet pack mufflers will provide a nice boost in performance and that classic quiet pack sound. The cool thing about this system is that the exhaust exits through the stock exhaust openings through the rear bumper. Maximum ground clearance is maintained as well. All that's needed is some sanding and fresh high-temp header paint or possibly black "jet hot" ceramic coating.
Engine Plans:
Its funny how my engine plans always start out mild and somehow take a turn toward the wild side. Due to my acquiring a new set of cylinder heads, and I've taken the Single Cab in a new direction, the Thing will also go in a different direction. Here's a brief outline of what it will likely be:
Welded and Ported/Polished oval port 42x37.5 cylinder heads
Currently being made by Jeff Denham
Engle Camshaft - choice of either:
W125 (301 duration x .461" lift (.522" w/1.25's))
FK8 (298 duration x .534" lift w/ 1.4 rockers
SLR Treated Cam Followers (Lifters) or CB Performance light
weight lifters (matched to the FK8 cam)
Steel on steel straight cut cam gears
Target 9 to 10:1 compression ratio
Dual 48 IDF Weber Carborators w/40mm venturis
SideFlo 1 5/8" header system with 2 1/2" muffler similar to the
Single Cab's set up
German 009 Distributor with Pertronix ignition module
Bosch 12V Blue Coil
Scat 2qt sump (or thin line 1.5 qt sump)
Transmission Plans:
Some VW Things/Trekkers were known to have come from the factory with a higher ratio ring & pinion to help with off-road capabiities. Its possible that this car will have the rare 4.625 ring & pinion, and could possibly have a limited-slip differential. We'll see....
The plan at this stage is to simply do a complete tear-down and inspection, and rebuild the transmission using quality parts. Syncro hubs will be welded similar to my Single Cab's gearbox. Gear ratios will also be very similar:
1973 Type 181 Thing Transmission
1st gear 3.78 (modified Super-Beetle mainshaft)
2nd gear2.06
3rd gear 1.32 (early Type 1/2 3rd gear set
4th gear .93 (pre-'73 4th gear set, splined
Ring & Pinion 4.125
(or possibly 4.625 if equipped)
Differential NOS Crown Super Diff (see right -->), or
Limited Slip Diff (if equipped)
Side Covers Dual HD Aluminum Side Covers
3rd/4th Gear sets will feature welded syncro hubs
and HD keyways
Qualtiy gear oil will be used along with a Lucas Oil
"shock" additive.
Inspiration....
The following pictures best illustrate what I have in mind for this project. These VW Things have the basic look I'm trying to achieve with nice, single color paint jobs, polished Centerline wheels and hints of higher performance. The white one on the left is a '73 and most closely resembles my plan. Color will either be a Chrysler color (Inferno Red) or a 1963-64 VW color (Sea Blue).
Cylinder Heads
Here's some pics on the work Jeff has done on what he calls my "welded wonders". When they are finished they will be a killer set of performance heads! He does awesome work!
Sheet Metal:
As detailed above, as part of the restoration I've acquired three replacement doors (only the front passanger door was retained) and a rear decklid. All are completely rust free and straight.
The work began over the winter months. This pic was taken in January 2010 as the disassembly was underway.
What will the "AFTER" shot look like????
"BEFORE"
Here's what the car looked like when I brought it home in 2009. A great "BEFORE" picture.
The yellow Thing on the left is a '73 and is nearly an exact match for what I'm planning to build. The color will likely be different, but the "look" is a complete match! The orange '73 on the right has a bit more of an "off road" attitude.
I'm very happy with the way these heads are coming along. A pair of tall IDF manifolds will be match-ported to these by Jeff as well.
AutoCraft Rockers
While at the 2011 Lansing Buggy Builders swap meet and show I managed to pick up these new AutoCraft 1.25 roller bearing rocker shaft assemblies.
If I decide to run the Engle W125 camshaft these will get used. If I decide to run the FK8 cam then I'll run a similar set of rockers with a 1.4 ratio.
3.78 (modified Super-Beetle mainshaft)
