The VW Thing. When you mention this vehicle, people either know precisely what you are referring to or look at you like you are talking about the old movie. The Volkswagon Type 181, commonly called “Thing,” was in production from 1968 to 1983. It was a two-wheel drive, four-door car with a roof made out of canvas that could be removed to make it look more like a convertible. In addition, all four doors may be removed to give the vehicle an off-road, rugged car feel. The idea for this car originated with the military in mind, the West German Army, to be exact. From there, it was available to the civilian market. However, civilian sales for these vehicles ceased in 1980, and overall car production extended to 1983.

The Birth of the Type 181

One day, the Volkswagon Thing or Type 181 would be popular for perusing off the beaten path and having fun. However, the concept for this vehicle did not begin with hobbyists in mind. Instead, the reason for this vehicle’s existence was to fill a very important need on military bases.

Most vehicles used in and around military bases are rugged and made to travel just about anywhere. These vehicles must be versatile, practical, sustainable, and manufactured in large quantities.

Before Volkswagon came up with the Thing, the Europa Jeep was the car that was tossed around as the go-to vehicle to be used on military bases or for other government uses. The concept of the Europa Jeep was being tossed around in the 1960s. With the military in mind, this vehicle would be durable, lightweight, and easily made in large quantities. The Europa Jeep had to be made just right to meet each point of criteria the government was looking for. The Europa Jeep was the military vehicle many countries used in the 1960s. Due to their design, they were often used as vehicles to transport items and other necessities on a military base. They had enough room to carry supplies and room for people, and they were rugged enough to cover rough terrain.

Enter the VW Thing

However, the production of the Europa Jeep would have taken quite a while to develop large fleets. The military needed a vehicle that could be mass-produced more quickly. Because the process was a little complicated, developing this vehicle took longer than expected, and West Germany needed a solution soon. This is where the Volkswagen “Thing” comes in.

Originally, Volkswagen had been contacted to begin designing a vehicle similar to the Europa Jeep. The company decided they were not interested in developing such a vehicle; however, once they thought about it, they recognized the car could also be made for the civilian market. Many consumers liked the dune buggy Volkswagen had made, and other customers were interested in a rugged yet attractive vehicle. In addition, the literal bottom line was appealing as the company figured out they could make such a vehicle at a low cost since the idea for the new car would use parts that already existed. From 1968 to 1979, approximately 50,000 Volkswagon Type 181s were manufactured for the military.

As soon as VW took on the project and realized they could make the vehicle in large quantities fast and cheaply, the company began to work on the design. The Type 181 weighed around 1,900 pounds and, with a 4-speed transmission, could accelerate from 0 to 60 or 70 mph in about 23 seconds. These are just a few of the many characteristics of this vehicle that appealed so much to consumers in the private sector and the military and government sectors.

A Bold Design

The Volkswagen Type 181, also known as the “Thing,” used a rear-engine platform similar to other vehicles in the brand and manual transmission. It seats four people comfortably.

The overall development of Type 181 had a wider floor plan than a Volkswagen Beetle. However, the vehicle itself would prove to be highly practical, rugged, and appealing to civilians and government entities alike. By the 1970s, civilian sales hit the European market, Mexico, and the “Thing” arrived in the United States around 1972. The vehicle was also featured in the United Kingdom but was taken off the market due to a lack of sales.

The Type 181 was taken off the U. S. market in 1975. Since then, newer, stricter safety rules have been put in place, and at this time, it was considered to be a passenger vehicle, which means different safety standards than before. One of the Department of Transportation rules required a certain distance in cars between the front seats and the windshield. This is one of the design features that had to be modified on the Type 181.

Success in Numbers 

Today, you can still find people with these unique vehicles. They can be customized, and you can always spot them because of their vibrant paint job. The Volkswagon Thing has been utilized for military and other government purposes and fun in sunny Acapulco, Mexico. The Acapulco Thing was popular in the 1960s and 70s, and people used it along beaches or even as a shuttle to and from the airport. These particular versions of the Volkswagon Type 181 were painted blue and white and often had a matching roof canopy with the same color scheme.

From the late 1960s to almost 1980, more than 50,000 Volkswagan “Things” were distributed to the National Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO. These vehicles were integral at that time for the needs of the military. The Type 181 had everything one could hope for in an off-road vehicle, and Volkswagen made the car reasonably economically.

Civilian sales for the Thing continued worldwide until around 1983. Type 181 had a great look and was a reliable, cost-effective vehicle. Added features such as removing the canvas roof or the doors made the car fun for off-roading adventures or long days at the beach. Almost 24,000 Type 181s were sold in the United States. Brand new during the 1970s, a VW Thing cost $3,000, which is $25,000 in today’s currency, about what you would pay for it today. The Thing holds its value well.

A Consumer Hit!

In the 1980s, after this vehicle was no longer manufactured or available to civilian consumers, parts of the Type 181 were sold strictly for military use. Though the body of the VW Thing was no longer being used, these parts were integral in vehicles used in Operation Desert Storm.

The VW Thing looks like a VW bug, dune buggy, and some jeep rolled into one. This car looks like you could take it to a classic car show, a military base, the beach, or the desert. The vehicle’s versatility makes it a classic car that may still be desired today. Stepping into the Thing is like stepping back in time in the best way. Getting into one of these cars requires you to step up and over the lip of the floorplan and then back down. This design is excellent if you remove the doors for an outdoor, off-the-grid adventure. Once inside, the interior feels like a car you would take to town to run errands. However, it holds that vintage and rugged feel inside and out. The Thing seats four passengers comfortably, with more space to store items behind the rear seats.

A Cult Classic

The ways to customize the vehicle are endless for those who purchased the cars as civilians. Fast forward to the modern day, and if you are buying one of these sweet cars, you have more options than ever for customizing your VW Thing. For instance, if you keep each classic piece, you can make it look like it did when it was brand new. You can also swap out some features, such as the taillights, to make them sleeker. The originals were bulbous, but swapping them out for something with a thinner profile looks just as good. Want to change the engine and make it more powerful? Some Type 181 owners have made their cars more sporty, while others have made them look more military or like a beachside buggy.

This shows that the Thing can be used for any venture you wish to use it for. Whether you are going to have a picnic on a hillside or beach, off-road in the desert, or you have some other adventure on your mind, the Thing can accommodate just about any journey. The best part of the Volkswagon Type 181 is that it can be whatever you want and go almost anywhere.