It is the source of answers to questions on the history of volkswagen, its products, plants and employees. Facts about the volkswagen thing car the thing shop. Vw history 1931 1999 here is some interesting history about the vw. If you own a vw beetle, vw bus, vw ghia, vw thing, vw fastback, vw squareback, vw notchback or type 4, get yourself a good vw book to cozy up with. Vw thing type 181 items that will never be reproduced due to the large quantities and expense required by manufacturers.
In this book, specialist author jorg hajt portrays vw transporters of all body types, loving restored and set perfectly in their scenes. The volkswagen type 181 is a small military vehicle originally built for the westgerman bundeswehr by volkswagen. The type 181 or type 182 in righthand drive, to be correct was developed in the 60s to a brief by the bundeswehr which required a crosscountry vehicle. Repairing restoration and tuning, types and history. Beetles, microbuses, things, karmann ghias, and more complete book series gunnell, john on. Gateway classic cars is pleased to offer this loveable 1974 volkswagen thing type 181 for sale at our scottsdale showroom, located in north phoenix.
Beetles, microbuses, things, karmann ghias, and more complete book series. Important information about volkswagen thing parts and accessories. Originally developed for the west german army, the type 181 also entered the civilian market as the kurierwagen in west germany, the trekker in the united kingdom, the thing in the united states, the safari in mexico and south america, and pescaccia in italy. Classics on autotrader has listings for new and used 1974 volkswagen thing classics for sale near you.
But despite removable doors and a folddown windshield, the lack of fourwheeldrive limited its appeal to serious offroaders. Data covers all vw 181s, type 182s, 182s, 181s, trekkers, things. Kennel history, photographs, breed information, and training tips. Everything you need to know about restoration of vw things. Join us with texas classic cars of dallas on the street. Manufactured in wolfsburg, west germany, hannover, west germany, pu. The type 181s rated payload for military use was 400 kg, and being a general utility vehicle, its uses included command, patrol, dispatch and radio vehicle. Vw books, vw manuals, vw dvds and how to videos for. The forgotten beetle fourdoor sedan that volkswagen never made. The volkswagen type 181 the thing was an updated version of the german militarys type 82 kubelwagen. Interesting, indepth story of volkswagens development of military and civilian kubel.
Obviously, all the body panels are 181, along with the chassis and most interior parts. This is a nice reprint of the glove box manual that you would of got when purchasing the vehicle new. Production began in 1968 for the military with 1971 marking the beginning for civilian use in mexico and europe with 1972 the first year for the us and canada. Obviously, a lot of people involved with volkswagens emissions were aware of the diesel car software cheat. Saturdays thingonly car show included parts vendors, swap meet, vw related games and activities, and lots of chatting with likeminded vw drivers. Elfrink knew the volkswagen market and history, he is a good writer, easy to. Any part that starts with 211 is a bus application. As for me, i want to retain as much of the value as i possibly can.
Known by a variety of names, including kurierwagen, trekker, safari and type 181 the thing was a fourdoor convertible resembling a corrugated sardine can on wheels. The volkswagen type 181 was a german manufactured military vehicle that was developed out of the kubelwagen which was the primary light duty vehicle used by the german army during wwii. The gearing ratio is close to that of a 1966 vw bus type ii. Vw beetle from 1968 1200, 0, 2, 2s, 1600us special, karmannghia 181 cross country jeep intereurope workshop manual 157. You could get four doors on a vw thingtype 181, but that car didnt really cater to. The first was the type 2 1600cc engine, which is identical to the type 1 beetle engine except it has an extra engine mounting at the rear of the crankcase. Those of you who know me have heard me say, keep your vw thing as close to stock as possible. A strictly utilitarian vehicle, the 181s design echoed that of the wartime kubelwagen. Com this book is probably the closest ill ever get to owning an amphibious vehicle of my own, and im okay with that. Volkswagen, like beetle, karmann ghia type14, thing type181, type2 bus. This material is the starting point for writing history and the foundation for legal authentication. Trekker, kubelwagen, mehrweckwagen, type 181, and type 182 righthand drive. The volkswagen type 181 is a twowheel drive, fourdoor, convertible, manufactured and.
In 1992 an estimated maximum of 4,000 type 181s were still in service with the bundeswehr. Vw kubelwagen military portfolio 19401990 cartech books. The purpose of this book is to catalogue all of the vw type 181 models that have been produced, both past and present. Rather than using the type 82s mechanical setup, however, the thing rode on a combination of a beetle driveline and a type ii transporter suspension. In 1973, volkswagen introduced the militarythemed type 181, or trekker in europe, thing in america, recalling the wartime type 82. Also, check out our history page to learn more about the volkswagen type 181 background, history, various nameplates, specifications, technical data, features and other relevant information. Distributed in the us it was nicknamed the thing in the us. Access to the documents in the corporate archives released for public use is possible by prior arrangement. In eurpoe, it was labelled as a vehicle for forestry services, hunting, etc. This book talks about the history of the vw type i beetle, which began as the idea of ferdinand porsche who was responsible for the creation of the porsche an auto designer whose dreams were high jacked by adolf hitler just before world war ii to build a car that would cost under 990 reichmarks and out of it would emerge the porsche 60 or kraft durch freude strength. This year we are celebrating the 50 year history of the volkswagen type 181. Ferdinand porsche 18751951 1931 september 3rd, ferdinand porsche was born. It was built in europe from 1969 through 1971 after which, mexico began producing the vehicle.
Clymer publications, includes information for beetle, ghia, and type 2. Apart from the introduction of the volkswagen type 2 commercial vehicle van, pickup, and camper, and the vw karmann ghia sports car, nordhoff pursued the onemodel policy until shortly before his death in 1968. Complete construction details offer important tips for buying a vw transporter and complete this wonderful pictorial volume. This type of car would be stored in a climate regulated facility. A classic 1973 vw thing 181 car cruises the dallas, texas streets. History of the 19711975 volkswagen type 181 thing the volkswagen type 181 the thing was an updated version of the german militarys type 82 kubelwagen.
On sunday a leisurely cruise finished out the weekend. It was built from 1969 to 1983 in germany and later mexico, and sold as vw kurierwagen, vw trekker, vw thing and vw safari. The military version was produced for the nato era german army during the cold war years of 1970 to 1979. The history of vw automobiles is just as colorful as the hues they were manufactured in, and this book illustrates the full story. In a pinch, type ii cv joints will work but we do not recommend it. This book is on the military ancestors of vw beetle. As you may know, the vw thing type 181 is made up of parts from the beetle, bus, and type 3. Another great archive website the obsolete aircooled documentation project bn4 info. Unfollow volkswagen vw 181 kubelwagen to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Full production history and technical specifications for the volkswagen type 181. Volkswagen thing classics for sale classics on autotrader. We track the vin, owners information, color and location. It was developed for the german federal armed forces but also for the civilian market.
Back in the shop and a little work on layout and patterns for front chassis and frame head. The purpose of the thing type 181 registry is to promote the preservation and enjoyment of the volkswagen thing, while keeping track of all vw things in the world. It went into production at the hanover factory in 1970, and though initially 1500cc powered, the engine was soon replaced by the 1600cc unit. One has to wonder how many of them tried to stop it and perhaps were demoted or lost their jobs over trying to prevent the secret volkswagen car emissions fraud.
This is also very helpful for the 1973 vw thing type 181. A comprehensive illustrated history of the worlds most popular car seume, keith on. On top of providing a comprehensive classifieds we provide resources on where to find vw thing parts and restoration information see the navigation above. In 1976 the europajeep project was finally cancelled, and vw got an order for 8,800 4x4 vehicles with a cargo capacity of 500 kg both on and off roads. Introduction while the karmannghia represented the sporty, elegant side of the beetle family, another member, the type 181 diametrically opposed it. The volkswagen type 181 is a twowheel drive, fourdoor, convertible, manufactured and marketed by volkswagen from 1968 to 1983. An effort was made to sell the type 181 on the private market also. Hydroelectric has been providing quality made products since 1976. Road and track road test for the volkswagen 181 october 73. The forgotten beetle fourdoor sedan that volkswagen never. The volkswagen type 181 the thing was an updated version of the german militarys type 82. Workshop manual for volkswagen beetle 1200, 0, 1500, 1600 c.
German automakers originally sought to supply their countrymen with an automobile that was easy to mass produce. In true brooklands form, this title contains reports on types 82, 128, 181. This is because in my opinion there are many ways to screw up the value of the vw thing. T2 bay window engine types there were two engine options that were originally fitted to the vw transporter between 1967 and 1979. By 1938, they finalized the design for the vw bugthe first rearengined, rearwheeldrive configured car. Proven 1973 volkswagen type 181 thing on bring a trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Classified ads, photos, shows, links, forums, and technical information for the volkswagen automobile. Read about the very weird volkswagen thing at automobile magazine. Like the early vw transporter, hub reduction gears were also used to improve ground clearance and that flat floorpan design allowed it to slide over rougher ground when required. Probably not, but with the help of the internet, manufactures and fellow collectors i hope to have the most comprehensive listing of type 181 models available. Vw thing shop manual parts interchange part manual three free downloads. Having said this, any part number that starts with 181 will tell you it is a thing part only. A comprehensive illustrated history of the worlds most popular car.
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