1973 Volkswagen Thing 1973 Volkswagen Thing

Air Cooled 1600CC Flat 4 - 1BBL - 4 Speed Man. - 12 Volt - Upgraded AM/FM/USB/BT

This 1973 Volkswagen Thing is an adorable summer cruiser with a super cool look and fantastic upgrades! The Volkswagen Thing is one of the most distinctive and fascinating vehicles to emerge from Volkswagen's lineup, with roots that trace back to military utility rather than civilian motoring. While U.S. sales began in 1972, the model's true origins reach further back. The Thing was developed in 1969 as a modern reinterpretation of the Kübelwagen, a lightweight military vehicle designed by Ferdinand Porsche and used extensively by the German army during World War II. Much like the American Jeep, the Kübelwagen was prized for its simplicity, ruggedness, and versatility—traits that carried directly into the Thing. Rather than engineer an entirely new platform, Volkswagen cleverly borrowed components from its proven lineup. The drivetrain came from the Beetle, ensuring reliability and easy maintenance, while the suspension was adapted from the sturdy VW Type II Transporter. Officially designated the Type 181 (or Type 182 in right-hand drive markets), the car earned the quirky “Thing” name when introduced to the American market. Although designed in Germany, production of the Thing took place primarily in Mexico, with U.S.-bound models imported to meet the growing demand for fun, affordable, and unconventional vehicles. Today, the Volkswagen Thing stands as a unique blend of history, character, and classic VW engineering—making the 1973 Volkswagen Thing a truly collectible piece of automotive heritage. In total, only 28.930 Things were produced during its short two-year production run, making this particular example a pretty rare vehicle to see cruising down the road. This particular VW Thing comes to us from a southern-based collector who took great care of it while under their stewardship. Powering this '73 Thing is a rear-mounted air-cooled 1600 CC flat 4 cylinder engine that breathes through a single barrel Solex carburetor that together were said to have created 60 horsepower when new. The 1.6L flat 4 is paired with a 4 speed manual transmission that makes this VW Thing a very fun car to take for a drive. Riding on a set of color-matched 5-spoke 15 inch wheels and 205/70R15 radial tires, this 1973 Thing has a fantastic look and an even better ride. Dual outside mirrors are a welcome addition to this Thing since they make squeezing into a tight parking space at the local ice cream shop or at the beach much less stressful. The tan vinyl convertible top looks as if it's brand new and it's easily raised and lowered by hand. This Thing's body has been refinished in beautiful Pastel White paint that completes the exterior look of this amazing SUV. The interior on this 1973 Volkswagen Thing looks like the ultimate beach buggy! The black bucket seats up front have been reupholstered as has the rear bench seat, all of which retain a nice stock look. Like any great summer beach cruiser, the doors are removable and appear to be in great shape too. Further adding to the beach buggy motif of this Volkswagen are front and rear Coco Mats. The dash and steering wheel are also in fantastic condition and appear to remain in the stock configuration. Instrumentation includes a 100 MPH speedometer with integrated fuel gauge and odometer. The interior is finished off with an updated Boss AM/FM/USB/Bluetooth entertainment system with upgraded speakers so that you can listen to all of your tunes while cruising down the road. Whether you're looking for a cool cabin cruiser with a vintage look or something super fun to take to the beach, this 1973 Volkswagen Thing would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at 763-428-7337!

*Air-Cooled 1600cc Flat 4 Cylinder
*Single Barrel Carburetor
*46 Horsepower
*4 Speed Manual Transmission
*12 Volt Electrical System
*Gorgeous Tan Vinyl Convertible Top
*Pastel White Exterior
*Reupholstered Black Bucket Seat Interior
*205/70/R15 Radial Tires on 15" 5-Spoke Wheels
*Upgraded Boss AM/FM/USB/Bluetooth Entertainment System
*Stock Instrumentation
*Odometer Reads: 59,684 Miles