Drivetrain
Chassis
Body
Dealer Info
tel: 800-957-5707St. Louis Car Museum
1575 Woodson Rd
St. Louis MO, 63114
Previously sold at the St. Louis Car Museum is a beautiful, Canary Yellow, '74 Volkswagen Thing that has had one owner nearly all its life! This 1974 Volkswagen Thing purchased almost new in March 1976 while in Omaha, Nebraska, then traveled to Aspen, Colorado for his retirement years! Always garaged, and driven an average of only 240 per year. Today, it shows only 11,144 actual miles! One exterior repaint with original interior upholstery! Complete with beautiful top and side curtains, wood floor panels, factory radio, and records back to 1976!
Super solid and quickly becoming a nice future investment! Built for the United States buyers from 1973-1974 as the Type 181, it was known as The Thing. As published in the Volkswagen literature Good for fun and good for work. Good for the city and good for the country. Good off-the-road and good on-the-road. At last a car that can be anything- The Thing! It was designed to be topless, door-less, and with an optional folding windscreen & fold down rear seats, it could be transformed into just about any configuration, and virtually ready for any weather condition even if you leave the convertible top at home with a rain ready interior! For this reason, finding a reasonable solid and well cared for unit today can be a bit tough.
We were proud to represent the sale of this 1974 Volkswagen Thing finished in factory correct Canary Yellow with Black Vinyl interior, along with white top and side curtains! Power comes from its original 1600cc Horizontal 4 cylinder engine (#AM017532) & Solex 34 PICT-3 carburetor (Tag #181129027L) and 4-speed manual transmission. Options are abundant and include locking glove box door, locking gas cap, wood-slatted floor covering front & rear, heater, dual outside chrome mirrors, chrome wheel covers, radial tires measuring 185/75R14, full roll bar, and sun visors! This example was last owned for 42 years by the same owner! William S. Latta purchased it March 18th, 1976 out of Omaha, Nebraska at Dillion-Anderson Motors Inc. with only limited mileage on the odometer. He retired soon afterward, and moved to Aspen, Colorado where this Thing would be preserved and garage kept until we came to own it in 2018! Adding approximately 240 miles during the Colorado driving season, he also made sure it was serviced regularly. Provided with the car will be his early sales documentation, service records, original Colorado title copy, emissions receipts, 2 sets of keys, and more!
Today, the odometer shows just 11,144 actual miles! The car has been repainted professionally years ago with show worthy results still today, while the interior upholstery remains original. Seatbelts have been added for safety, along with a Blaupunkt Laguna AM/FM/CD radio. Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, this 1974 Volkswagen Thing was serviced to include new front brake hoses, all new brake fluid, new spark plugs, ceramic-coated exhaust system from Car Craft of Riverside, CA, exhaust manifold gasket, chrome exhaust tips, new engine oil/filter, and test driven for approximately 10 miles. It is a remarkable example throughout, with one of the most solid chassis we have seen in quite some time!
1974 Volkswagen
Thing
Quick Specs
Description
Previously sold at the St. Louis Car Museum is a beautiful, Canary Yellow, '74 Volkswagen Thing that has had one owner nearly all its life! This 1974 Volkswagen Thing purchased almost new in March 1976 while in Omaha, Nebraska, then traveled to Aspen, Colorado for his retirement years! Always garaged, and driven an average of only 240 per year. Today, it shows only 11,144 actual miles! One exterior repaint with original interior upholstery! Complete with beautiful top and side curtains, wood floor panels, factory radio, and records back to 1976!
Super solid and quickly becoming a nice future investment! Built for the United States buyers from 1973-1974 as the Type 181, it was known as The Thing. As published in the Volkswagen literature Good for fun and good for work. Good for the city and good for the country. Good off-the-road and good on-the-road. At last a car that can be anything- The Thing! It was designed to be topless, door-less, and with an optional folding windscreen & fold down rear seats, it could be transformed into just about any configuration, and virtually ready for any weather condition even if you leave the convertible top at home with a rain ready interior! For this reason, finding a reasonable solid and well cared for unit today can be a bit tough.
We were proud to represent the sale of this 1974 Volkswagen Thing finished in factory correct Canary Yellow with Black Vinyl interior, along with white top and side curtains! Power comes from its original 1600cc Horizontal 4 cylinder engine (#AM017532) & Solex 34 PICT-3 carburetor (Tag #181129027L) and 4-speed manual transmission. Options are abundant and include locking glove box door, locking gas cap, wood-slatted floor covering front & rear, heater, dual outside chrome mirrors, chrome wheel covers, radial tires measuring 185/75R14, full roll bar, and sun visors! This example was last owned for 42 years by the same owner! William S. Latta purchased it March 18th, 1976 out of Omaha, Nebraska at Dillion-Anderson Motors Inc. with only limited mileage on the odometer. He retired soon afterward, and moved to Aspen, Colorado where this Thing would be preserved and garage kept until we came to own it in 2018! Adding approximately 240 miles during the Colorado driving season, he also made sure it was serviced regularly. Provided with the car will be his early sales documentation, service records, original Colorado title copy, emissions receipts, 2 sets of keys, and more!
Today, the odometer shows just 11,144 actual miles! The car has been repainted professionally years ago with show worthy results still today, while the interior upholstery remains original. Seatbelts have been added for safety, along with a Blaupunkt Laguna AM/FM/CD radio. Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, this 1974 Volkswagen Thing was serviced to include new front brake hoses, all new brake fluid, new spark plugs, ceramic-coated exhaust system from Car Craft of Riverside, CA, exhaust manifold gasket, chrome exhaust tips, new engine oil/filter, and test driven for approximately 10 miles. It is a remarkable example throughout, with one of the most solid chassis we have seen in quite some time!