Description

1973 Volkswagen Thing – 1.6L Flat-Four, 4-Speed Manual, One Owner, Recent Mechanical Refresh

📌 Overview

This 1973 Volkswagen Type 181 “Thing” is a one-owner example showing 17,000 miles and finished in vibrant orange over tan vinyl. Originally acquired in 2003, the car underwent a repaint in 2019 and received a new soft top, top frame, and side curtains in 2020. It’s powered by an air-cooled 1.6-liter flat-four paired with a four-speed manual transaxle and is now offered at no reserve with service records and a clean California title.

🔧 Powertrain & Mechanical Work

The 1.6L flat-four engine was factory rated at 46 horsepower and 72 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle. Recent mechanical work performed in 2024 includes:

• Valve adjustment
• Transaxle fluid flush
• Oil change
• Replacement of carburetor, battery, fuel pump, fuel sending unit, and fuel lines
• Hood release replacement
• Horn replacement
• Rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders replaced

The engine runs well but intermittently stalls at idle, as shown in the video gallery. The underside has been patched near the battery, and detailed underside photos are included.

🎨 Exterior

Repainted in 2019, the car wears a bright orange finish complemented by fender-mounted turn signals, dual side mirrors, and a fold-down windshield. The removable doors add to its utilitarian charm. In 2020, the soft top, frame, and side curtains were replaced. The horn was replaced and the right brake light repaired in 2024.

It rides on 14″ five-spoke wheels wrapped in 205/70 Westlake tires. Braking is handled by drums at all four corners, with the rear components recently serviced.

🛋 Interior

The cabin features individual front seats and folding rear seats trimmed in perforated tan vinyl with black piping. Amenities include:

• Dash-mounted storage compartment
• Dual sun visors
• Four-spoke steering wheel with Wolfsburg crest
• 100-mph speedometer with inset fuel-level gauge

The five-digit odometer shows 7k miles, with approximately 500 added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown. The heater is currently inoperative, and some upholstery imperfections are noted in the gallery.

📁 Documentation & Sale Details

• Offered at no reserve
• Clean California title
• Service records included
• Detailed photo and video galleries available

🚙 Driving Experience

This Thing offers a unique blend of vintage VW charm and rugged simplicity. With its fold-down windshield, removable doors, and open-air driving potential, it’s perfect for weekend cruising, beach runs, or off-grid exploration. Recent mechanical updates make it road-ready, while its character-rich presentation appeals to collectors and casual enthusiasts alike.

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 HOW DOES THE CAR AUCTION WORK?

 7-DAY RETURN POLICY

We offer a 7-day return window for added peace of mind on eligible vehicle purchases. Contact us for terms and eligibility details.

 Our Focus

We specialize in offering a wide selection of quality vehicles—both in-house stock and consignment listings—securely stored at our facilityes. Every vehicle undergoes inspection by our in-house quality assurance team.

 Services Included:

• Vehicle inspection

• Secure Escrow.com payment processing

• Nationwide delivery up to 2,000 miles (included in price)

• Consignment vehicle sales

• Flexible auction and fixed-price purchase options

 Storage Location: San Diego, CA

 Inspection, Delivery & Handover Process:

• Begins within 7–10 business days after full payment is received and cleared.

• Price includes vehicle cost + 3% auction fee.

• Shipping up to 2,000 miles is included in the final price.

• Vehicles can also be collected directly from our warehouse.

• All payments are securely processed through Escrow.com for buyer protection and transparency.

 Purchase Options

 Blind Auction

• Submit private bids (invisible to other buyers).

• You may revise your bid while the auction is live.

• If accepted, you’ll be notified within 3 business days after auction close.

 Open Auction

• Participate in real-time bidding with visible offers.

• Bids cannot be canceled once submitted.

• Highest accepted bidder will be notified within 3 business days.

 Fixed Price

• Vehicles available at set prices for a hassle-free purchase.

• Listings sorted by newest first.

• Option to filter by vehicle source (in-house or consignment).

 Flexibility & Transparency

Whether you prefer the excitement of bidding or the simplicity of fixed pricing, we offer a buying experience that’s secure, streamlined, and tailored to your needs.

You can revise your bid while the auction period is open.

• If your bid is the highest and accepted by the seller, you will receive a notification of your successful submission within three business days after the auction closes.

2. Open Auction

• Participate in a traditional auction format where the highest bid is visible, allowing you to adjust your offers accordingly.
• Once a bid is submitted, it cannot be canceled.
• If your bid is the highest and accepted by the seller, you will be notified within three business days after the auction closes.

3. Fixed Price

• For a straightforward purchasing experience, vehicles are also listed at fixed prices.
• Listings are organized chronologically, with the newest entries appearing first, allowing clients to easily spot the most attractive offers.
• Vehicles can be sorted by their source for added convenience.

This range of options ensures flexibility and transparency, catering to both auction enthusiasts and those who prefer fixed pricing.