1974 Volkswagen Thing
- VIN: 1842544139
- Condition: Clear Title
- Transmission: Manual
- Exterior Color: Beige
- Interior Color: Black
- Mileage: 54,444
- Warranty: As-Is
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Vehicle Overview
Ended on Bring a Trailer Auctions : 1974 Volkswagen Thing
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This 1974 Volkswagen Thing was previously owned by a principal of Kevin Kay Restorations in Redding, California, and it received over $40k in refurbishment by their company before it was acquired by the current owner on BaT in August 2024. It is powered by an air-cooled 2,007cc flat-four that utilizes an aftermarket engine case modified for a full-flow oiling system and fitted with a 78mm crankshaft, 90.5mm pistons and cylinders, an Engle camshaft, dual Weber carburetors, a Bosch 009 points-type distributor, high-flow heater boxes, and a modified A-1 Sidewinder exhaust system. Additional details include beige paint, black vinyl upholstery, 15? aftermarket steel wheels, BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires, drum brakes, a four-speed manual transaxle, a chromoly lightweight flywheel, a 1,700-lb pressure plate, and a 200mm clutch disc in addition to a hood rack, running boards, a receiver hitch, a fold-down windshield, removable doors, perforated rubber floor mats, duckboards, a Custom AutoSound head unit, and Memphis Audio speakers. This Type 181 is now offered on dealer consignment with service records and a clean California title.
The body is finished in beige with a black convertible soft top and removable side curtains. Exterior details include a hood rack, running boards, and a receiver hitch in addition to a fold-down windshield, fender-mounted turn signals, and removable doors. The selling dealer believes that with the exception of the right front fender, the car has not been repainted. The tires rub the front fenders under hard braking.
Aftermarket 15? steel wheels have been powder-coated black and are mounted with 215/75 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. The brake drums were machined, and the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, hoses, shoes, and wheel bearings were replaced in February 2023.
The front bucket seats and folding rear seats are trimmed in black vinyl upholstery. Interior elements include perforated rubber floor mats, duckboards, lap belts, and cupholders mounted to the ashtray receptacle. The audio system is reported to consist of a Custom AutoSound head unit linked to Memphis Audio speakers.
The four-spoke steering wheel has been wrapped in leather and frames a 100-mph speedometer with an inset fuel-level gauge, while readouts for oil pressure and temperature are housed in a custom-fabricated pod in the center of the dashboard. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 54k miles.
The 2007cc air-cooled flat-four was built by Wolfgang International in November 2021 using an aftermarket magnesium engine case modified for a full-flow oiling system and clearanced for 90.5mm pistons and a 78mm stroker crankshaft. Additional engine details include EMPI GTV-2 40×35.5 cylinder heads, an Engle W110 camshaft, a Bosch 009 points-type distributor, and dual Weber 40 IDF carburetors. In February 2023, the engine was removed and steam cleaned, the tins were powder-coated, the carburetor linkage was modified, and the oil cooler was replaced. Additional work performed at that time included installing a battery tender and adjusting the valves. Photos of engine compression readings are displayed in the gallery.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transaxle with a chromoly lightweight flywheel, a 1,700-lb pressure plate, and a 200mm clutch disc. The gear oil was replaced in February 2023 along with the installation of high-flow heater boxes and modification of the A-1 Sidewinder exhaust system.
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