1973 Volkswagen VW Thing Safari

1973 Volkswagen Thing Description

Up for your consideration is a 1973 VW Thing. I bought this Thing when I lived in Florida in 1998 as a project car. I put about $5000 into it and entered it in some VW Shows. It won a few awards, and I drove it on weekends. When my Bug broke down, I used it as a daily driver for a few years. Then I had an electrical problem, and it sat in the garage. I moved up to North Georgia three years ago. I decided I did not have time to restore it again, so I am offering it up for auction. I fixed the electrical problem (turned out to be a few fuses). The tires don’t have much wear on them, so they will probably last a while. The battery doesn’t hold a charge, so you will need to buy a new one (I jump the car now to start it). The engine is not stock. The serial number on the engine that came with the Thing did not match 1973, so I built a 1679cc engine for it. It has machine-in 88s (I think they’re CIMA), and a lot of other stuff from CB Performance (Chromoly pushrods, heavy duty springs, Eagle cam (don’t remember what type, but didn’t go too wild), 69mm counterweighted crankshaft, lightened flywheel, Gene Berg Heads with Heavy duty springs, 1 ½ quart lowered oil sump, heavy duty oil pump with spin-on filter, dual 34mm FRD Dellorto Carburators with cross-bar linkage). Transaxle is stock. Engine runs good (had it on the road yesterday), but could probably use a tune-up. It has a lot of pep! Just changed the oil and adjusted the valves. Carbs probably need a little work (tune-up kit costs about $34 for each carb from CB Performance). The exhaust is from The Thing Shop in Chandler, AZ. The engine itself has about 50,000 miles on it (Title says Exempt in the Odometer space). The car can be driven as it is, once you get it registered. I have a clear Florida Title. The serial numbers on the body match the title. If I remember correctly, the engine case was align bored, but I can’t remember what size. The 69mm counterweighted crankshaft was new.

The windshield has some rust on it (see pictures), but I’m including another used windshield that is in better shape. Both windshields have cracks, so you will probably have to replace the glass. The floorpan is in pretty good shape. I replaced it back in 2000 when I was restoring the car. It was coated with Rhino Guard after I completed the floorpan. I thought this would help in rust. The floorpan is still pretty solid, except in a few spots where the Rhino Guard did not fully coat at the seams. The pan has rust on the driver’s side where the clutch/brake/accelerator pedals are (see picture). It is also rusted in the back corner where the battery is (see picture). The other spot is where the seat tracks used to be. They rusted out because the Rhino Guard didn’t coat them completely. You’ll have to weld in new seat tracks. The seats are original, but the coverings are from the Thing Shop. BTW, most of the trim, seatcovers, windows, top, etc. are from The Thing Shop. Oh, the rear window is not there anymore. You could piece in a piece of thick clear plastic, and that would probably work. Otherwise, you’ll have to replace the whole window.

The top is in pretty good condition (except for the rear window). The front header bow is rusted, so I am including a new one (from the Thing Shop). It comes with front metal retaining strip and rivet set (cost for these were about $300 in 2013).

The heater worked the last winter I used it, but I couldn’t get it to work now. I think it might be the fuel pump for the heater. I have a manual for the heater – I’ll try and find it, but no guarantees here.

The body has rust here and there. I tried to include pictures to give you a good idea of how much body work you will need to do. The worst area is under the rear seat.

As far as I can tell, the mileage is 117332 miles. It could actually be different, because the Odometer only have 5 digits. This is only a guess.

If you’d like pictures emailed to you, I can try and do this if you can send me your email address. eBay pictures are sometimes too small to see detail. Also, if you have any other questions, you can send them to me here, and I’ll post them for everyone to see. I’ll add any other information that might be helpful if I can think of anything else. I live in North Georgia, and I’m close to Atlanta (2 hours), Chattanooga (2 hours), Knoxville (3 hours), Charlotte (4 hours), Asheville (3 hours), Columbia (4 hours), and Nashville (4 hours). If you’d like to reach me by phone, my cell number is 772-341-0108. I am available from 5pm to 9pm.

The 1973 Thing is being sold "As Is", with no warrantees or guarantees. I have done my best with pictures and thru this text to tell you the actual condition of the automobile. Its a fun little car. You're going to enjoy it! I’m starting the auction at $2000 with no reserve. I am asking for a $500 deposit thru PayPal within 48 hours of you're winning the auction. Full payment due within 7 days. Payment has to clear before automobile will be allowed to be picked up. If you need it shipped, I'll try and get some information for you. US sales only please! I see other VW things here on eBay have a shipping company that can do it for you.

Thanks for looking, and Good Luck!