The VW thing has its roots in the military as many people know. The Thing was sold under different names in different countries and was basically a beefed up, lifted up, and strengthened version of the Type 1 VW Beetle. The production run for these things was more than 20 years and (not shockingly) they were sold the longest down in Mexico where the laws and their popularity allowed them the most longevity. In the USA, the Thing was not sold after 1975 because laws regarding automotive safety effectively rendered the design illegal (because the windshield was too close to the occupants to meet the new code the government passed). This is a 1973 model and it is unlike anything we have ever seen. Why? Primarily the engine!
Powered by a 300hp, hot rodded, reverse-rotation Corvair flat six this VW Thing also packs a custom four speed automatic transmission that’s had the third and fourth gears made taller for better performance as a highway cruiser and long distance traveler. Guessing by the tow bar on the front of it, this guy has spent some miles behind an RV or other larger rig being dragged on vacations and other trips. We dig the roof rack situation, the slightly modernized interior, the paint job, and the upgraded wheels and tires. We also dig the fact that this sucker is fast enough to make people wonder what the hell it is when it pulls them going up a grade or blows their doors off in traffic.
Yes, the modern touches add some weight but these things were only 2,000lbs to start with, so this weighs what? 2,700 or 2,800lbs max? We bet it is fun and we bet it is fast enough to keep a smile on your face while driving. What do you think?
eBay: This VW Thing has a 300hp Corvair flat six engine and modern touchesÂ
Since I owned one of the first type 181 “Things” on the East coast I know them all too well. The windshield was not laminated safety glass, when it broke the dealer sent me to a glass company specializing in trucks, try took a Peterbilt windshield and cut it to fit. When I put larger “Jackman” spoke wheels the brakes pulsated badly. VW took my Thing for a month to their US headquarters in Northern NJ giving me a 411 Square Back and a gas credit card… 🙂 ! They told me the wide five drums were too thin and told me to bring it to the dealer so they could recut the drums attached to the wheels. Finally, the gas heater was from Espacher in Germany, we know them in the US as Espar. The seller says it’s a Bosch unit. It worked well, parts were rare, and was quirky.
I don’t know much but I know that Corvair motor doesn’t make 300 hp.
300HP? That’s in Porsche 911 territory – more info on how this figure was reached please.
Loving strange cars and being a Corvair guy…It probably only makes 225 to 250hp, but I\’d love to have the money to own this!!