Thing 1 and Thing 2 Coming to an Auction Near You: Introducing the Unique VW Type 181
At our vintage car shop, we enjoy seeing a lot of unique vehicles passing through. We also get a lot of guests and clients asking us about where they can find their own classics to buy and restore -- especially after they see the high level of professional restoration services we offer. One of our answers is always to look out for upcoming auctions, both local and national.
This month, there are two exciting auctions that will feature a number of rare and gorgeous automobiles that are happening in Arizona, just a short drive from Texas. The first is the RM Sotheby's Arizona auction at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix on January 17 and 18, and the second is the Barett-Jackson Scottsdale auction at the Westworld of Scottsdale January 12 to the 20. At both, you'll find a number of worthy models to ogle at, including the very distinctive Volkswagen Thing.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 Coming to an Auction Near You: Introducing the Unique VW Type 181
The Volkswagen brand is perhaps best known to modern consumers for its bubbly-looking vehicles like the cutsie Beetles, funky Busses, and family-focused Jettas. But not everything the company made came in curves and perhaps the best example of that is the boxy and brawny VW Thing.
The Thing, officially called the Type 181, went into development in 1969 when the West Germany military wanted a type of transport that was cheap, reliable, and durable. They thus revisited the Jeep-like Type 82 Kubelwagen that had been produced during the World War II years. The resulting Type 181 combined a Beetle Type 1 driveline and a Transporter Type 2 suspension for a hardy yet comfortable vehicle that could be driven off-road without issue. It was considered so solid and desirable that a civilian version shortly followed, with the United States seeing models sold between 1972 and 1974.
The RM Sotheby's Arizona auction will feature a 1974 Volkswagen Thing without a reserve. This model is coming to the block recently from its original Arizona owner, even boasting original Alpine Green paint. While it has seen some restoration work by a vintage car shop, much of the interior and exterior has been left alone.
The Type 181 being sold at the Barett-Jackson Scottsdale auction may be the same production year as Sotheby's but it received a very different type of restoration. This model had a number of military-inspired exterior modifications that give the vehicle a much more tank-like appearance. Additionally, the original flat-four engine was replaced with a more modern fuel-injected 2.5L Subaru flat-four that delivers 220 horsepower.
Looking for Other Insights? Contact Our Vintage Car Shop
Not a fan of auctions? About 25,000 versions of the Thing were sold to American consumers and plenty continue to exist in good condition and can be found through places like eBay and local classic sale outfits. To learn more about classic models or to get some work done on your older model, visit our vintage repair car shop today!