#typ181

#Repost @rothfink ・ ➖ SPREAD & INTERPRETED BY @bugbus_net ・ ・ Sun’s Out - Fun’s In ! Superslammed trecker sunbathing rothfinkindustries @rothfink builtfortheride www.rothfink.com . ➖ @bugbus_net says: What a badass - find more outstanding cars at: @vwbusandcamper @vwbusner @vanclans @austrosplit @skinnerclassics @vwphotographer . . ➖ #bugbus #vwthing #typ181 #type181 #type181thing #kübelwagen #slammed #slammedvw #slammedsociety #aircooled #aircooledvw #dropped #aircooled_society #aircooled_world #vwporn #instacar #instawow #vws4life #vwforlife #vwcrazy

The name - “Thing” - and it’s relative rarity, it was offered for just three years in the U.S. - often gets this vehicle labeled “Weird.” Aside from the name, however, the #VWThing made perfect sense. The Thing, or as it was known internally, the #Typ181 - filled several needs all at the same time - none of which were apparent to U.S. customers looking for a fun little car, but all of which it met with aplomb. In the late 60s it was time to replace West Germany’s #DKWMunga army vehicles with a new light utility car, NATO countries wanted a common light military vehicle (the “Europa Jeep” project), Mexico was asking for a Beetle that could handle unpaved terrain a bit better, Americans were enjoying Beetle-based dune buggies like the Meyers Manx. A light #utility vehicle in the style of the WW2-era #Kübelwagen could fill all of these roles - and cheaply. Deliveries of the #Typ181, built at Hanover, to the Bundeswehr began in 1969. The Thing’s off-the-rack pieces made it cheap and durable - the floorpan was a reinforced Karmann-Ghia unit, axles came form the T2 bus, the engine was a 1600. 8.1 inches of ground clearance improved it’s off-road abilities. Strong demand in Mexico meant that eventually #VW shipped over CKD kits, and eventually established a proper assembly line in Puebla - and it was from Puebla where U.S. Things came from - the first car to be imported to the U.S. from Mexico in any real numbers. The U.S. model arrived in 1973 and like all 181s (called Trekker, Safari, Camat, or 181 in other markets), it was VERY basic - just a padded dash, a speedo, and some knobs inside - clearly it was meant to live #outdoors with the top off. Rubber mats covered a floor that could be hosed out. It came in vivid hues and was pitched against the Jeep CJ and Toyota FJ, but few people actually cross-shopped these cars. It proved a bit too unusual for Americans in general - and was cancelled after 1975 due to safety reg changes (and soft demand - Manx buggies had come and gone) In other markets, it lasted until 1980 (’83 for military versions). #1974 #ig_autoshow #thesamba #VWvortex #trb_autozone #VolkswagenClassic #Volkswagen #softroader #dunebuggy #baja #ClassicVW