West Coast Classics are proud to present this very rare and unique highly collectible 1974 Volkswagen 'Acapulco Edition' Thing in virtually completely unrestored and all original condition from new and showing only 41,650 original miles.
1 of 400 Acapulco Type 181 built in Mexico in 1974 only
All original survivor!
Striped Surrey Top
Fold Down Windshield
Correct Original Running Boards bolted to threaded inserts within the sills
14" Steel Wheels with chrome covers
Air cooled 1.6L 4 cyl engine
4 spd manual transaxle
Pushbutton AM radio
Split front seats
Folding rear seats
Tool kit
Fender mounted turn signals
Dual side mirrors
Removable doors
Original correct exhaust and bumper guards
The original and authentic 'Acapulco Thing' was only built from May to July 1974 with a mere 400 produced in total. All were White with Blue accents on the front hood, the rocker panels, the bumpers and the dashboard. The seats were upholstered in a blue-and-white striped fabric, and the same fabric was used for the standard surrey top that was stretched over a metal tube frame.
This car is a very rare true time capsule with its original paint (with the exception of drivers front fender due to a minor scratch years ago) which still presents very well albeit with a little fade from age and only some very minor scratches, chips, and imperfection from use over the years only noticeable upon close inspection.
This is an extremely solid and rust free, with the exception of one very small bubble in front of the right rear fender and behind the drivers front fender (close up pictures in gallery)
Original interior in great shape for its age, although the Blue is now showing some fading in front. The original floor mats are intact except for the passenger rear which has gone missing. All gauges, wipers, lights, and the radio work great!
Runs very well and drives out nice. Shifts easily and the brakes feel great.
Look close at all the pictures, there are so many little tags, stamps and details that this Acapulco Thing retains because it IS original with low miles.
Restored examples lose all of those original and essential details for the VW enthusiast and collector.
Many people restore their regular Things to look like the legendary 'Acapulco Thing' but will inevitably miss the essential original 'Acapulco' details, so dont get fooled by the fakes! This is the real deal and they are only original once!
The Volkswagen Type 181 "Kurierwagen", popularly known in the United Kingdom as the Trekker, in the United States as the Thing and in Mexico as the Safari, was a small military vehicle produced by Volkswagen from 1969 to 1983, although civilian sales stopped in 1980. It was based in part on Volkswagen's Type 1 (Beetle), and was a continuation and improvement over the Kbelwagen, which had been used by the German military during World War II. The name Kbelwagen is an abbreviation of Kbelsitzwagen, meaning "bucket-seat car". Mexico began producing them after 1972. Civilian sales began in Europe and Mexico during 1971 and 1973 was the first year sold in the US Market and the model was dropped from the American lineup in 1975.
The 181 has become something of a cult classic, due in no small measure to its angular styling, which leaves no question as to its strictly utilitarian purpose. The doors are removable without tools, and the windshield folds down, similar to a Jeep. The interior is a perfect illustration of form following function, and its painted steel door panels and split, flat bench seats look appropriately post-modern, industrial chic today.
Highest prices are paid for unrestored low miles examples of course. This rare 'Acapulco' example has absolutely no history of any rust and obviously was always well maintained and looked after! This car must be seen and driven to be fully appreciated - the engine is extremely strong and responsive with excellent oil pressure and no noticeable oil leaks and which sounds absolutely magnificent, the 4 speed manual transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears, including reverse, the car brakes and steers great and the engine temperature always remains cool.
This must be one of the finest daily driving example's available of this collectible and highly desirable 1974 VW 'Acapulco' Thing - a beautifully unrestored and rust free example in rare turn-key ready daily appreciating, daily driving and daily head-turning condition of an all time legendary cult classic!
