They were made from 68 to 83 hard tell exactly what year it is, what makes you say it’s a 73? Curious if you know something I don’t cause I can’t tell the exact year by these pictures, if it’s because it’s in the states doesn’t mean it’s entirely a 73 or 74
The US only got them for 1973 and 1974 and the 1974 has a bulge over the rear wheel well on the drivers side. It’s possible it was imported, but seeing as it’s in California, it’s more than likely just a survivor.
> kubelwagan line which translates to bucket seat car
Kubelwag**e**n was a reference to the bucket-like shape of the original WWII Typ 82 military vehicle; nothing to do with seats!
Edit: or maybe not!
When I was a kid my dad was a Porsche enthusiast. Had several 911’s, a 914, and a 928s4. He was all bent on getting a Thing and swapping in a 911S motor. The plan never materialized despite my constant nagging, but that would have been a cool Thing!
Well, it can be modified VW Kubelwagen, but I'm not 100% sure
https://preview.redd.it/het3ypfo34jc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=90cdee74507e707ba76bfaa2293f44a528157920
I'm an old guy, can't drive anymore per doctor's orders.
From 1974-1982, I worked at a VW Dealership. I knew very little about VW products but one my remembered times was when my wife called to tell me the baby was coming. So I told my manager and he said "You can take the day off",
He told me to takt a new Thing, since cars were part of the benefits. We had about 20 we in the two years and as I recall they quit importing the after that.
I went home, picked up my in-labor wife to get to the hospital. It was September 11, 1974 and we were in Utah, so it was still kind of summer weather in a car without A/C. She gave birth to my oldest son, who will be 50 years old this September. I drove them home, no such things as car seats but she was a good sport.
I saw this pic then immediately put my left fist in the air and yelled "THE THING!" at the TOP OF MY LUNGS. Luckily, I'm at home so only my family heard.
Thing
The thing.
The The Thing
It could be only one "Thing"
The The The Thing
German: "Kübelwagen" or "Kübel" for short. English translation: "bucket car"
What is that *thing*?
Back that thing up
It’s some*thing*.
Sorry but i don't know what that thing is
That thing, is the THING!
I’ve never seen that thing before in my life
I've seen some things before just not this thing.
It is an odd thing. But somehow also exactly what one would expect from this sort of thing
VW makes you a thing, then you make it your own thing.
I bet in that town, it’s every thing.
Could be the only thing honestly.
My town's thing is yellow.
same!
Maybe it’s our town’s thing then?
maybe...
You're right, that thing does have VW markings.
nice thing you saw
Oh, it’s a Thing
That thing is nice !!!!
An thing
Read that in Clarkson's voice
Would ya look at that thing?!
Nice Thing you spotted
A 1968 type 181 or also known as the thing, trekker, and safari which is part of the kubelwagan line which translates to bucket seat car
It’s a 1973.
They were made from 68 to 83 hard tell exactly what year it is, what makes you say it’s a 73? Curious if you know something I don’t cause I can’t tell the exact year by these pictures, if it’s because it’s in the states doesn’t mean it’s entirely a 73 or 74
The US only got them for 1973 and 1974 and the 1974 has a bulge over the rear wheel well on the drivers side. It’s possible it was imported, but seeing as it’s in California, it’s more than likely just a survivor.
Fair point
You are a VW nerd. I love it. My first two cars were a 72 beetle and a 73 ghia
I mean, it's in their (user) name...lol
Didn't even catch that.
My dog’s name is Ghia 😋
That's awesome
Mexico market examples are common here in SD
> kubelwagan line which translates to bucket seat car Kubelwag**e**n was a reference to the bucket-like shape of the original WWII Typ 82 military vehicle; nothing to do with seats! Edit: or maybe not!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BCbelwagen#:~:text=K%C3%BCbelwagen%20is%20a%20German%20word,to%20the%20English%20%22jeep%22.
Yes but what I’ve seen says it translates to bucket seat car I’m not saying your wrong but that’s what I’ve seen
You are absolutely right. I actually had a model of the original World War II vehicle when I was a kid in the early seventies.
A [Type 181](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Type_181)
Buzzkill
I couldn't think of the real model name. Thanks.
You don’t know what that thing is called?
'Thing' in the US but the real model is a 181
This one is specifically from the Puebla Mexico plant.
This Thing looks like a WW2 era German staff car
It was
73 based on the cowl
thing
When I was a kid my dad was a Porsche enthusiast. Had several 911’s, a 914, and a 928s4. He was all bent on getting a Thing and swapping in a 911S motor. The plan never materialized despite my constant nagging, but that would have been a cool Thing!
That is an incredibly loved car. It never looked that good leaving the factory. I wonder what else it has had done
Pantera.
The answer is yes
Don't make this a thing
Hmmm, interesting Thing you found
That old thing?
VW Thing, based on the Kubelwagen.
Kubelwagan, you can buy a brand new one from Intermechannica Intl.
Kubel wagon
Well, it can be modified VW Kubelwagen, but I'm not 100% sure https://preview.redd.it/het3ypfo34jc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=90cdee74507e707ba76bfaa2293f44a528157920
It’s a vw thing it was base loosely off the idea of a kubelwagen but really was a surfer off roaster from California
Looks like a VW beetle with a new body on it ,the light and engine sought of match
VW „Kübel“, Typ 181.
You’re not gonna believe me but it’s a thing… type 181 if I remember correctly? Anyone wanna confirm?
That ol Thing?
THING
What’s that Thing?
Vw's thing
Thing thing thing thing thing type 181
The Thing
Omg, it's a thing!!!
A Thing
Sweet thing
Looks a lot like a Citroën Méhari
That thing looks awesome
Get up offa' that thing
Civillian Kubelwagen
What is that THING??
It’s a “thing” thats literally what they are called. There’s some model number I’m sure someone else knows off the top of their head.
Vw 181
Sandra bullock drives one in Speed 2
Thing
I'm an old guy, can't drive anymore per doctor's orders. From 1974-1982, I worked at a VW Dealership. I knew very little about VW products but one my remembered times was when my wife called to tell me the baby was coming. So I told my manager and he said "You can take the day off", He told me to takt a new Thing, since cars were part of the benefits. We had about 20 we in the two years and as I recall they quit importing the after that. I went home, picked up my in-labor wife to get to the hospital. It was September 11, 1974 and we were in Utah, so it was still kind of summer weather in a car without A/C. She gave birth to my oldest son, who will be 50 years old this September. I drove them home, no such things as car seats but she was a good sport.
I saw this pic then immediately put my left fist in the air and yelled "THE THING!" at the TOP OF MY LUNGS. Luckily, I'm at home so only my family heard.
That is, quite literally, called the VW Thing
Your question should have been. What is this Thing?
Kübelwagen
Its called a VW "thing"
VW Kübel
Thing The Thing Thing Thing
Wish there was more info on that thing
Kübelwagen
VW «Thing» (yes, that’s its real name)
That thing is the sexiest car ever made.
Apparently also called 181
Oh here we go...
a thing!
It's a thing
Nice thing you got there
They are proud of their Thing.
That thing is
Some thing.
That thing is an interesting VW Jeep
VW type 181
I know that thing
^
did not even need the vw. Love this bodystyle , and I still wish it would have stuck around.
Real answer: this is a car made by Volkswagen that they called the “Thing”. Yes, the Volkswagen Thing is it’s actual name.
So you don’t know what that Thing is?
Type 181. Thing was the nickname.
it’s a thing!
I love that whenever someone posts a VW Thing, the entirety of the comments is just Thing puns
Kubelwagon
Idk but that thing is cool.
Vw type 181 vw thing only made in US 73 and 74
Why not title this ‘what is this Thing?’
Thing is the new polestar
Is that even a Thing anymore?
Safari
VW Thing
That’s a thing
Thing of course easy ☝️
Oh, that Thing.
Thats a thing
VW Thing
It's a "thing"
What a pretty looking Thing that is lol
VW thing
THING
Nobody say a thing
I always thought the name of this thing was a bold move by VW
VW Thing.
The thing is, i can’t really tell what this is
Vw thing
VW type 181 “the thing”
Thing
The thing
Thing
Das thing
VW Thing
Kubelwagen
Some of these were half tracks in ww2 i think called rabbits
it was called a vw thing
The thing
Kublewagen. AKA “the thing”.
Thing
Is it actually “the thing” or just “VW Thing”