The Sunroof Sedan was now $2299, but the standard 1973 Beetle Sedan was remained $1780. Super Beetle prices increased to $2459, while Cabriolet prices soared by over $500 to $3050.
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How many Volkswagen Things were produced in 1973?
The Thing was only imported in small numbers (about 25,000), and it is now as absurd and strange as it was thirty years ago. The Thing is affordable to operate and maintain because so many parts are shared with the Beetle and the Microbus, but what else would you expect from a bucket car?
When did VW start manufacturing the item?
The Kbelwagen, sometimes known as the “bucket car,” was a light military utility vehicle produced by Volkswagen during World War II for use by both the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS. The Thing was its younger, hipper cousin.
Comparatively speaking, the Kbelwagen was more of a concept, similar to how we call large 4x4s, regardless of brand, jeeps, a mangled version of the letters GP that stood for General Purpose vehicle, or, if some rumors are to be believed, it was the abbreviation of the phrase “jeepers creepers!” uttered by US Army Major General George Lynch when he first rode in one!
The production of The Thing began in Wolfsburg, Germany, at Volkswagen’s headquarters, moved to Hannover, Mexico, and finally Indonesia between 1968 and 1983 (civilian sales halted in 1980). It was available with a 1.5-liter engine, which was later upgraded to a 1.6, and shared mechanicals with the Beetle and the pre-1968 Microbus. It also had the Type 1 Karmann-floorplan, Ghia’s but significantly wider.
The engine would never be able to compete with the Lamborghini Miura or the Porsche 911, yet neither vehicle could cross streams or muddy ravines. The 0-60 time was a glacially slow 24 seconds, and the engine was VW’s air-cooled 46 horsepower flat four. The heavy duty off-road tyres and four-speed manual transmission offered the Thing significant ground clearance.
The inside also was never going to be particularly appealing in terms of appearance and feel. It was completely empty, made of bare metal, with no sign of any creature comforts. The interior of the car could only be wiped out from the inside with a hosepipe, and the sole feature that set it from from a metal filing cabinet was the centrally positioned speedometer.
The multi-nation Europa Jeep projectwhich was developed in a manner akin to that of the Eurofighter airplanewas being developed at the same time that the VW 181 Thing was being produced, and while the Europa Jeep project sputtered to a slow, predictable end, VW produced more than 50,000 Things for NATO forces.
Additionally, The Thing was a huge success in Mexico. The upper brass at VW in the US recognized the potential for a fun and durable off-roader for the “young,” but they completely missed the mark. Customers were constantly asking for something affordable, simple to operate, and maintain that could handle their rural road system.
It cost $3,150, which was $1,000 more than a Beetle and slightly more than a 1973 Mustang Mach 1. For what was effectively a metal box, that was the price. The number of US imports reached above 25,000, but by 1975, the industry had died since the vehicle had been reclassified from a “multi-purpose vehicle” that avoided such legal concerns to a “passenger automobile,” which did not meet or even come close to the higher emission criteria. Ralph Nader, many thanks.
Is the VW Thing water-resistant?
It was simply referred to as “the Thing” in the US. a car with all-wheel drive and water capability Jointly being developed by France, Italy, and West Germany was the Europa Jeep (this was the 1960s, and the Iron Curtain was in full force).
What hues were offered for the VW thing?
The original blue and white color scheme was exported to the US since it was so well-liked. Additionally, VW produced combinations in orange, yellow, and green with white.
Why does the VW thing go by the name “thing”?
In order to meet the German army’s demand for a utility vehicle during the war, VW created the type 62 Kubelwagen. During the war, it served as Germany’s equivalent of the American Jeep.
According to Sen. Richard Burr, a Thing aficionado whose 1974 model is easily recognizable around Capitol Hill, production ceased as the conflict came to an end but was revived in the 1960s when the Mexican government expressed interest in entering the vehicle sector.
“The molds were put away after World War II, and they weren’t used again for commercial versions until the late 1960s, according to the North Carolina Republican.
In Mexico and Britain, the vehicle was named as the Safari and the Trekker, respectively. It was known as the Thing in America.
It was portrayed in vintage American commercials as a multipurpose, hardy, strong, machine.
“An advertisement states, “Take off the doors, flip down the windshield, and you’ve got an instant Dune Buggy.”
Burr typically drives his Thing with the doors closed and the convertible top pulled back.
It wasn’t until 1973 that The Thing made its American debut. The flat four-cylinder, air-cooled 1974 model had a four-speed manual transmission and had a top speed of about 55 miles per hour.
They have a history of using whatever they can find, including old Coca-Cola signs as fenders, according to Burr.
Thus, no treatment was ever applied to the metal.
The car was only sold in the United States for two years, and part of its popularity has been its scarcity.
What makes the VW thing known as the thing?
To meet the utility vehicle needs of the German army, VW built the type 62 Kubelwagen throughout the war. It served as the wartime equivalent of the American Jeep in Germany.
As the conflict came to an end, production ceased, but was restarted in the 1960s when the Mexican government expressed interest in entering the auto business, according to Sen. Richard Burr, a Thing lover whose 1974 model is easily recognizable on Capitol Hill.
“The North Carolina Republican claimed that the molds weren’t used again for commercial versions until the late 1960s after the Second World War, when they were put into storage.
The vehicle went by the names Safari in Mexico and Trekker in Britain. It was referred to as the Thing in America.
Old American ads portrayed it as a multipurpose, hardy, durable, machine.
“According to an advertisement, all you need to do is remove the doors and fold the windshield to create a Dune Buggy.
Burr normally has the doors on and the windshield up when he drives his Thing with the convertible top down.
It took until 1973 for The Thing to be released in America. The air-cooled, flat four-cylinder engine in the 1974 model had a four-speed manual transmission and a top speed of about 55 mph.
Old Coca-Cola signs have been known to be used as fenders by them, according to Burr.
This indicated that the metal had never been treated.
The car was only sold for two years in the United States, and part of its popularity has been its scarcity.
What caused the VW Thing to be discontinued?
As far as we know, VW has never given a formal response. However, based on our study, we have been able to put together a few major explanations for the decision to halt manufacture of what is undoubtedly the most iconic car in history:
- Electrification The idea that Volkswagen discontinued the Beetle so they could concentrate more on impending electric vehicles is another frequently advanced argument. This is a legitimate argument, but not nearly as compelling as the one based on sales performance, since there is no question that VW, along with the majority of other manufacturers, has moved its focus to electrification.
- Platform-sharing
- The A4 and A5 platforms from Volkswagen served as the foundation for the New Beetle generations. Online rumors indicate that one of the reasons VW canceled the Beetle was due to the technical difficulties associated with switching to the Volkswagen Group MQB Platform. This assertion, coupled with the Beetle’s low sales record, was cited as another justification for the decision.
- Sales effectiveness and buyer preferences
- The Beetle’s poor sales performance was the primary factor in VW ceasing production. Volkswagen attributed the termination of production of the original Beetle in 2003 to diminishing demand. When the final model left the Mexican assembly line, it was still essentially an old automobile, despite modifications and revisions over the years. Following the decline of the original Beetle in Western nations, the markets where it was successful also “The outmoded Beetle had been sufficiently modernized to the point where it was no longer practical. In the late 1990s, The New Beetle was introduced in an effort to “Profit on the fondness for the original vehicle. The New Beetle and its successor, the New New Beetle, never sold in particularly large quantities, despite some early success (due to the market preferring the blend of retro appeal and new amenities). By 2018, Volkswagen’s total sales were made up of around 4% of the A5 Beetle. It was a specialized product that was just not making enough money to support its continued manufacturing. Consumer preferences had evolved away from affordable hatchbacks and toward SUV/crossover vehicles. As a result of the model’s low sales results, it was discontinued.
How many VW products were produced?
The 1973 model was imported from Mexico to the USA for sale by Volkswagen of America, and it was first marketed there in 1972. Only two years of their production1973 and 1974were sold in the USA, with a total of 28,930 Things.
The VW Thing: Is it still being produced?
It is surely sad news to report that the legendary Volkswagen Beetle will no longer be produced after three generations and a combined seven decades. Due to its distinctive styling, fun-to-drive attitude, and expressive personality, the Beetle has won the hearts of drivers all over the world. While we’re all sorry to see the Beetle depart, Volkswagen of Ann Arbor is here to assist you enjoy your final opportunity to acquire this cherished car.
VW Thing has all-wheel drive, right?
Even just because it is an oddity in the automotive world, the term “The Thing” seems appropriate. The Volkswagen Thing has a strange, boxy exterior that conceals its familiar Beetle, Microbus, and even Karmann Ghia foundations. The Thing has strong angles at every turn, including the half-octagonal design of the wheel arches.
The Thing had rear-wheel drive and a rear-mounted engine, just like the Beetle and Type 2 Microbus. It had a four-speed manual transmission and either a 1.5L or 1.6L flat-four engine with a total output of 46 horsepower. It took The Thing 23 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph. Due to the placement of the wheel wells, the pedal box has been awkwardly moved toward the transmission tunnel in the center.
The Thing was intended to be a lighthearted, possibly frivolous, vehicle. However, it took the element of outdoor adventure seriously. With the exception of the front doors, which have locks, the four removable doors are thin, lack a door card and internal paneling, and are interchangeable. The Thing could pass for a Jeep in an open environment if it had a drop top, those removable doors, and a windshield that folded down. Despite the fact that wood slat panels were a frequent aftermarket addition, the bare floor was intended to be hosed away. One dial on the dash served as both the speed and fuel gauge. Without a true door, the glove box was more like an alcove.
Will VW bring the item back?
According to a carmagazine.co.uk article from August 2020, the VW Type 181 could return in this decade as an all-electric vehicle. The upcoming model was dubbed “VW Junglezz” by the British newspaper. This trademark has been registered by Volkswagen Group with the EUIPO, and a hinting idea might be taking shape in a VW design studio.
In 2019, the VW 181, or “VW Thing” as it is known to Americans, turned 50. According to autobild.de, the Volkswagen Group is seeking some “fascinating vehicles to revitalize the ID. family of next-generation electric cars. The Bulli/Microbus does, in fact, make a reappearance this year, but that’s not all. According to the German news article, Volkswagen has a number of unusual cars on the list, one of which is a replacement for the VW Type 181.
Dr. Herbert Diess, the CEO of the Volkswagen Group, has a special place in his heart for the VW Thing. According to the German journal, Dr. Diess has sympathy for the versatile 4WD vehicle from the World War II era. A Kubelwagen offshoot, the VW 181 was first a military vehicle officially named as the VW Kurierwagen (courier car). It had been ordered by the German army, and work on it started in October 1969. The civilian market accounted for more than 80% of the cross-country vehicle’s total output.